IFLR is part of Legal Benchmarking Limited, 1-2 Paris Garden, London, SE1 8ND

Copyright © Legal Benchmarking Limited and its affiliated companies 2026

Accessibility | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Modern Slavery Statement


British Virgin Islands

Rankings published in 2026

Conyers is an international law firm with offices in Bermuda, BVI and Cayman Islands. Their BVI office was established in Tortola in 1996.

 

Focusses / specialisms

In investment funds the team represents funds held by investment firms in fund investments and formations. The wider financial and corporate practice acts for corporations, private equity firms and financial institutions in mergers, acquisitions, bond issuances, tender offers, insolvencies and corporate financing.

 

Key clients

Key clients for the firm include SK Capital Partners, All Year Holdings, Weatherford International, Telegram Group, Rock Mountain Capital, Starwood Property Trust, Tarpon Water Solutions, Deutsche Bank, Bank of America, London Branch, Wells Fargo, AdvancedAdvT Limited (formerly Marwyn Acquisition Company I Limited), Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Bank of Asia and Government of the British Virgin Islands.

Walkers is an international law firm with offices in Bermuda, BVI, Cayman, Dubai, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Ireland, Jersey, London and Singapore. Its BVI office is managed by managing partner, Matthew Cowman.

 

Focusses / specialisms

The firm works on a range of corporate matters. It advises on BVI law aspects of banking transactions including secured and unsecured financings, syndicated lending and acquisition finance. It advises clients around the world on cross-border mergers, acquisitions, restructurings and equity and debt offerings.

 

Client Feedback: 32nd edition (2022/2023)

Banking and finance

“Common sense approach and ensuring that all parties understand the engagement parameters fully.”

 

Project development

“Practical, responsive, knowledgeable.”

Offshore law firm Forbes Hare’s BVI office is based in Tortola and has five partners, five associates and one counsel. The firm has five other offices in Cayman Islands, Nevis, London and Singapore. In addition to its physical presence in these jurisdictions, the firm also maintains Anguilla and Nevis desks.

 

Focusses / specialisms

The firm has experience in financial and corporate and investment funds practice areas. It acts for clients in IPOs, insolvencies, secondary listings, refinancings, acquisitions and general corporate financings. It also acts for investment firms in fund formations and investments.

 

Key clients

Key clients for the firm include Goldenbridge Acquisition Limited, Ace Global Business Acquisition Limited, Scienjoy Holding, 8i Acquisition 2 Corp and Portage Biotech.

 

Client Feedback: 32nd edition (2022/2023)

Banking and finance

“Forbes Hare are very proactive, having deep legal knowledge in the areas they specialise but also commercial awareness.”

 

Investment funds

“Proactive in its approach coupled with fast turn-around times with regard to all relevant documents inclusive of fund placement memorandum and investment manager and investment advisory agreements.”

International offshore law firm Harneys was founded in BVI in 1960. It now has eight physical offices in Shanghai, Singapore, Hong Kong, Luxembourg, London, Cyprus, Cayman Islands and BVI. The Tortola office in BVI is one of the largest law firms in the country.

 

Focusses / specialisms

The firm has expertise in a variety of industries and is especially known for its work in banking and financial services. It advises companies in restructurings, investment grade bond issuances, high yield bond issuances, refinancings, acquisitions and general corporate financing. The firm also does significant work with investment firms in investment fund management, including fund formations and strategic investments.

 

Key clients

Key clients for the firm include SOCAR Turkey Enerji, BMR Energy and GuideWell Mutual Holding Corporation.

 

Client Feedback: 32nd edition (2022/2023)

Banking and finance

“Harneys possess strong professional knowledge along with a great deal of experience in the area. Their advice is always well structured and presented, always to the point. They always deliver on time despite the challenging deadlines.”

Leading offshore firm Maples Group opened its British Virgin Islands (BVI) branch in Tortola in 2004. Globally the Cayman Islands headquartered firm has 16 offices spanning three continents. 

  

Focusses / specialisms 

The firm advises on acquisition, IPOs, restructuring, public offerings, financing and other general corporate matters. It also has a top-tier investment funds practice. 

The firm largely focuses on real estate, banking and financial services, technology and life sciences sector work. 

 

Key Clients 

Large hedge fund groups such as Ares Capital Management, Alliance Bernstein, Egerton Capital, Farallon Capital Management and Winton Capital make up a substantial portion of the firm’s clientele. 

 

Research period review: 32nd edition (2021 / 2022) 

Over the research period the firm was active in financial and corporate and investment funds. 

The firm’s financial and corporate work includes equity and debt capital markets transactions, as well as M&A transactions. Most notably, the firm advised on complex, cross-border mergers, acquisitions and an IPO. 

The investment funds team advised on the launches of cross-border private equity funds and provided regulatory counsel to various clients. 

 

Deal highlights: 32nd edition (2021 / 2022) 

Alpha Exploration Limited TSXV IPO 

Gerdau Trade/GTL Trade Finance $700 million bond buyback 

Satellogic/CF Acquisition Corporation $850 million merger 

 

Client feedback: 32nd edition (2021 / 2022) 

Financial services regulatory 

"Efficient - speedy and easy to work with." 

 

Guy Williamson 

"Friendly, approachable, easy to work with and very professional." 

Ogier 

Ogier is an international offshore law firm founded in Jersey in 1867. It became the first pan-Channel Island law firm in 1998 and now has offices in BVI, Cayman, Guernsey, Hong Kong and Jersey. Its BVI office opened in Tortola in 2007. 

Highlight 

The firm advised on a series of complex, high-impact transactions in 2024, spanning multiple jurisdictions and industries. In a standout cross-border engagement, the team led the intricate pre-closing restructuring of Alps, which involved the formation of Cayman-exempted entities and a multi-jurisdictional merger process designed to support a Nasdaq listing. The transaction required careful coordination across legal systems and regulatory frameworks. The firm’s deep expertise in structuring global investment vehicles, navigating merger mechanics, and advising on fund governance continues to reinforce its reputation for precision and fluency in high-stakes matters. These engagements reflect the firm’s ability to deliver strategic legal solutions in dynamic and evolving markets. 

Key clients 

The firm’s key clients include Citibank, Constellation Oil Services Holding, Digital Asset Capital Management and Graham Capital Management. 

Untitled Strategic Legal Consulting 

Untitled Strategic Legal Consulting is a boutique advisory firm offering agile, high-impact legal solutions for cross-border transactions, complex restructurings, and corporate strategy. Known for its personalized service and deep commercial insight, the firm helps clients navigate dynamic markets with tailored legal expertise. 

Highlights  

The firm advised clients on confidential matters.

The BVI office of international full-service firm Appleby was founded in 2005. The firm’s history dates back to the 1890’s. Since then, it has grown to 10 offices in Bermuda, BVI, Cayman Islands, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Isle of Man, Jersey, Mauritius, Seychelles and Shanghai. The firm’s BVI office is based on Tortola.

 

Focusses/specialisms

In addition to their top their financial and corporate practice, it also has a notable investment funds practice. The financial and corporate practice acts for clients in acquisitions, mergers, IPOs, share offerings, bond issuances, restructurings, corporate financing, refinancing and ABL. In investment funds, the firm acts for private equity and asset management firms in fund formations and investments.

In addition to BVI law, the firm can also practice law in Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey, Mauritius and Seychelles.

 

Client Feedback: 32nd edition (2022/2023)

Financial restructuring

“Appleby across the board are easy to deal with, smart, technical, thoughtful lawyers that help drive forward restructurings. It is a pleasure to work with them.”

 

M&A

“Responsive and cost effective. Professional.”

International offshore law firm Mourant Ozannes opened its BVI office in Tortola in 2012. It has five other locations globally: Cayman Islands, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Jersey and London.

 

Focusses / specialisms

The firm acts for corporations in refinancing, acquisition, corporate financing and IPO matters. It also works with investment funds in fund formations, investments and maintenance.

In addition to BVI law, the firm can also practice under Cayman Islands, Guernsey and Jersey law.

 

Client Feedback: 32nd edition (2022/2023)

Financial services

“Very responsive, very comprehensive, proactive.”

The offshore outfit of Carey Olsen services its clients in the legal market of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) from its office in Tortola. The firm also features Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Guernsey, and Jersey branches, as well as Cape Town, Hong Kong, London and Singapore offices.  

 

Focusses / specialisms 

The Carey Olsen team is involved in the banking and finance practice, representing both lenders and borrowers and focusing principally on asset finance.  

The firm also deals in capital markets in the equity and debt spaces, frequently advising on IPO’s, share offers, share capital increases and convertible and hybrid securities.  

The firm also attends to matters of restructuring.  

The BVI group boasts involvement in a variety of sectors, including but not limited to energy, corporate financing, gaming and mining 

 

Key clients 

Key firm clients include Banco de Sabadell and the PSG Offshore Fund.  

 

Research period review: 32nd edition (2021 / 2022) 

Over the course of the research period, the firm’s banking and finance involvement notably included representation of Blockchain.com Group Holdings as the lender in a series of transactions which served to the ends of furthering the development and use of digital assets in the jurisdiction. 

The firm was chiefly involved in capital market transactions, most of which were on the equity side. These involvements mainly concerned the energy and mining sectors. 

The firm also advised on several complex restructurings with multi-jurisdictional implications. In this regard, the firm represented clients from the tourism and mining sectors. 

 

Deal highlights: 32nd edition (2021 / 2022) 

Blokchain.com Group Holdings asset financing  

CNMena Holding $37 million share capital increase  

Aman Group restructuring  

 

Client feedback: 32nd edition (2022/2023) 

Financial services regulatory 

"Jude Hodge combined her regulatory expertise with a practical, commercial approach. She was a valuable strategic partner in the BVI." 

 

Investment funds: Hedge funds 

"Service, speed, efficiency, detailed, cost-effective and great staff to work alongside - always available to help." 

 

Project finance 

"They are very responsive and keep the deadlines imposed by any given transaction." 

 

Restructuring: Corporate 

"The legal advice was precise and gave great clarity. They understood our aims and first drafts of documents and resolutions were substantially fit for purpose. The response times and document revisions were turned around in very good time. They genuinely seemed to care about our specific matter rather than just being another piece of legal work." 

 

Jude Hodge 

"Jude has strong regulatory knowledge from her background working at the BVI Financial Services Commission. She excels at understanding our business objectives and providing strategic advice to help meet those goals." 

"Detailed, diligent, knowledgeable, great to work with, friendly, efficient and very responsive to requests or questions. Also manages costs very well." 

"Very responsive and efficient. Comments made were very helpful." 

 

Katrina Lindsay 

"Very easy to deal with and took a deep interest in our issues, looking at matters from our perspective and ultimate goals whilst remaining impartial in regard to all shareholders including minorities." 

Untitled Strategic Legal Consulting
1 practice area
View full profile

UNTITLED SLC is the unit within UNTITLED Collection® dedicated to strategic advisory in legal, tax, and fiduciary matters for Latin American families, entrepreneurs, investors, and business owners.

We combine the design and administration of fiduciary structures with consulting and training, under an independent approach, jurisdiction-agnostic and free from conflicts of interest.

Our interdisciplinary team and international network of partners allow us to design tailor-made, sophisticated, and efficient solutions adapted to the challenges of today’s legal and tax environment.

We make the complex, simple.

SISTER BRANDS

UNTITLED Sherpa®
Comprehensive advisory and ongoing guidance for families with complex wealth structures. We work alongside their trusted advisors to ensure consistency, efficiency, and long-term vision.

EVOLVE by UNTITLED
Comprehensive wealth planning created for professional artists and athletes. We protect and enhance their wealth, ensuring stability and growth beyond their careers.

53 results53 results
1
of
3
Deal Highlights
189 results189 results
Deal Name Deal Date Firm Name Jurisdiction Deal Type Lawyer Names Client Names Client Role
Yieldking Investment - Bond Issue
2021-09-01
A&O Shearman
British Virgin Islands
Bond issue
Bank of Communications, CSC Financial Co Ltd, CITIC Group Corp, Standard Chartered Bank, Industrial Bank Co Ltd, Shanghai Pudong Development (Group) Co Ltd
Underwriter
Sino-Ocean Group - Bond Issue
2021-07-01
Cathay Associates
British Virgin Islands
Bond issue
Sino-Ocean Group
Issuer
Franshion Brilliant Ltd - Bond Issue
2021-01-01
Clifford Chance
British Virgin Islands
Bond issue
Goldman Sachs, CITIC Group Corp, BOSC International Co Ltd, Huajing Securities Co, Standard Chartered Bank
Underwriter
Sinochem Offshore Capital Co - Bond Issue
2021-09-01
Clifford Chance
British Virgin Islands
Bond issue
Citigroup, Mizuho Bank, Crédit Agricole, UBS, HSBC, CITIC Group Corp, Standard Chartered Bank, China Merchants Bank, CSC Financial Co Ltd
Underwriter
Central Plaza Development - Bond Issue
2021-03-01
Clifford Chance
British Virgin Islands
Bond issue
Central Plaza Development
Issuer
Yieldking Investment - Bond Issue
2021-09-01
Clifford Chance
British Virgin Islands
Bond issue
Yieldking Investment
Issuer
Franshion Brilliant Ltd - Bond Issue
2021-04-01
Clifford Chance
British Virgin Islands
Bond issue
Franshion Brilliant Ltd
Issuer
New Metro Global Ltd - Bond Issue
2021-01-01
Commerce & Finance Law Offices
British Virgin Islands
Bond issue
Central Wealth Securities Investment Ltd, CITIC Group Corp, Seazen Resources Securities Limited, Donghai Securities Co Ltd, Guotai Junan Capital, China International Capital Corp, Haitong Securities Co Ltd, CMB International Capital Ltd
Underwriter
State Grid Overseas Investment (BVI) Ltd - Bond Issue
2021-09-01
Clifford Chance
British Virgin Islands
Bond issue
HSBC, ICBC, Goldman Sachs, Bank of China, Morgan Stanley, Citigroup
Underwriter
Xingsheng (BVI) Co Ltd - Bond Issue
2021-08-01
Clifford Chance
British Virgin Islands
Bond issue
Xingsheng (BVI) Co Ltd
Issuer
Inventive Global Investments - Bond Issue
2021-09-01
DeHeng Law Offices
British Virgin Islands
Bond issue
China Industrial Securities International Financial Group Ltd, China International Capital Corp, CMB International Capital Ltd, GF Securities Co Ltd, CMBC International Holdings, China Minsheng Banking, Haitong Securities Co Ltd, China Everbright Bank, Guotai Junan Capital, China Zheshang Bank Co Ltd, ICBC, Nanyang Commercial Bank Ltd, Huatai Securities Co Ltd, Dongxing Securities Co Ltd, Industrial Bank Co Ltd, China Merchants Bank, Shanghai Pudong Development (Group) Co Ltd, CSC Financial Co Ltd, Everbright Securities Co Ltd
Underwriter
State Grid Overseas Investment (BVI) Ltd - Bond Issue
2021-09-01
Commerce & Finance Law Offices
British Virgin Islands
Bond issue
HSBC, ICBC, Goldman Sachs, Bank of China, Morgan Stanley, Citigroup
Underwriter
Sinopec Group Overseas Development (2018) - Bond Issue
2021-01-01
Conyers Dill & Pearman
British Virgin Islands
Bond issue
Sinopec Group Overseas Development (2018)
Issuer
PCPD Capital Ltd - Bond Issue
2021-06-01
Conyers Dill & Pearman
British Virgin Islands
Bond issue
PCPD Capital Ltd
Issuer
State Grid Overseas Investment (BVI) Ltd - Bond Issue
2021-09-01
Conyers Dill & Pearman
British Virgin Islands
Bond issue
State Grid Overseas Investment (BVI) Ltd
Issuer
New Momentum International Ltd - Bond Issue
2021-06-01
Conyers Dill & Pearman
British Virgin Islands
Bond issue
New Momentum International Ltd
Issuer
Si Fa Investmment - Bond Issue
2021-04-01
Fangda Partners
British Virgin Islands
Bond issue
Si Fa Investmment
Issuer
Xingsheng (BVI) Co Ltd - Bond Issue
2021-08-01
Fangda Partners
British Virgin Islands
Bond issue
Xingsheng (BVI) Co Ltd
Issuer
Beijing Environment Sanitation Engineering Group (BVI) Co Ltd - Bond Issue
2021-09-01
DeHeng Law Offices
British Virgin Islands
Bond issue
CMB International Capital Ltd, Bank of Communications, Bank of China, China Merchants Bank, Huatai Securities Co Ltd, China Everbright Bank, CSC Financial Co Ltd, CEB International Capital Corp Ltd, Industrial Bank Co Ltd, China Construction Bank, Everbright Securities Co Ltd, China Minsheng Banking, Luso International Banking Ltd, ICBC
Underwriter
Haiguo Xintai Capital Ltd - Bond Issue
2021-02-01
DeHeng Law Offices
British Virgin Islands
Bond issue
Haitong Securities Co Ltd
Underwriter
1
of
10
By Firm
42 results42 results
Firm Name Jurisdiction Total Deals Deals (Last 12 Months)
King & Wood Mallesons
9
0
Latham & Watkins
6
0
Lee and Li
Taiwan
1
0
Linklaters
26
0
Maples Group
British Virgin Islands
6
0
Mayer Brown
3
0
Milbank
1
0
Morgan Lewis Stamford
Singapore
2
0
Morrison & Foerster
1
0
Mourant
British Virgin Islands
1
0
Norton Rose Fulbright
2
0
Ogier
British Virgin Islands
15
0
Paul Hastings
2
0
Sidley Austin
7
0
Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom
1
0
Sullivan & Cromwell
2
0
Sundial Law Firm
1
0
Tahota Law Firm
2
0
Tian Yuan Law Firm
3
0
Walkers
British Virgin Islands
6
0
2
of
3
New hires were made across the corporate, M&A, finance and regulatory practices in New York, Dallas, Boston and London
The Americas awards research cycle has now begun – don’t miss out on this opportunity to get recognised
The Rising Stars Awards research cycle has now opened across all three regions
Important information and key updates for the Rising Stars Awards 2022
IFLR1000
Natalie Bell of Harneys in Tortola discusses the new guidance on Common Reporting Standards
IFLR1000
Michael Washburn looks at the debate around offshore fiduciary businesses
Submission forms for the IFLR 2014 European, Americas, and Asia awards are accessible here
Market opinion is sharply divided on whether Cyprus’s favourable holding company regime is ringfenced from the effects of its banking crisis. It’s a critical question for Russia’s multi-billion dollar private M&A sector
Sponsored

Sponsored