O’Neal Webster, a well-established British Virgin Islands law firm with offices in Tortola and London, is organized for the efficient delivery of legal services for our clients throughout the world. Our dedication to professional standards frames our business savvy approach and contributes to our clients’ successes. We stand by our client service promise and welcome your enquiry.
Congratulations to BVI Finance for its successful special event for Panamanian firms involved in BVI business. The event was held as part of the BVI Finance led activities surrounding the STEP Caribbean Conference 2023 in Panama. O’Neal Webster Partner Kerry Anderson was a featured speaker at the event sharing his insights during a well-received presentation on sanctions in the BVI and navigating the sanctions licensing process. Kerry leads O’Neal Webster’s Investment Funds and Regulatory Department and has been practicing law in the BVI for more than 20 years.
Elise Donovan, BVI Finance’s CEO, emphasized the strong relationship between the two jurisdictions and highlighted BVI’s role in the global community, saying, “For nearly forty years, the BVI and Panama have worked closely together, learning from each other’s successes and challenges and adapting our strategies to meet changing business needs. This longstanding relationship has shaped how BVI’s International Business and Finance Centre interacts with the Panamanian business community.”
The BVI statutory merger process is recognized globally and has been used effectively for many years. However, today, more global entities increasingly use BVI statutory mergers in high-value cross-border transactions. This shift substantiates the BVI’s corporate regime, which is valued for its ample flexibility in facilitating cross-border business combinations and restructurings, supporting the evolution of businesses over time.
The statutory nature of the BVI merger process provides certainty regarding the exchange of shares, other securities, assets and liabilities, which are critical elements in most business combinations and restructurings. As such, the BVI remains an essential jurisdiction in the mergers and acquisitions market for small, medium and global players. To learn more about how BVI statutory mergers work, link here.
The awards recognize women who lead, inspire and contribute to the professional advancement of women in the international financial services and wealth sectors.
Now in its twelfth year, the Citywealth International Financial Centre Awards spotlight advisers and managers in the private wealth sector from the major international financial centres who not only have a successful career progression but have also been active, together with their firms, in maximizing the potential of all women. Judged by an international panel of highly respected practitioners, the awards recognize winners who excel in achievement, innovation, expertise, and service.
Congratulations, Vanessa, on this well-deserved recognition! And thank you for all you do to create and support an equitable environment and inspire women to succeed in business and beyond.
We are thrilled to announce that O’Neal Webster partner Jenelle Archer was named “Lawyer of the Year” during the BVI Financial Services Awards 2022 held on February 15, 2023. The awards recognize leading people and firms in the British Virgin Islands’ financial services industry in an array of categories. Jenelle is a partner and head of our firm’s Property & Business Practice, advising clients on British Virgin Islands property, business and estate matters, including business succession, wills and probate. Her practice includes business acquisitions, dispositions, and developing strategic ownership structures, and is particularly knowledgeable in matters associated with foreign nationals and entities requiring layers of BVI regulatory approvals.
Congratulations Jenelle! A well-deserved recognition.
O’Neal Webster is pleased to announce that Chambers Global Guide has named Partner Christopher Simpson in its 2023 edition as a ranked lawyer in area of British Virgin Islands Corporate & Finance, including Investment Funds. Chambers rankings are the definitive mark of excellence across the international legal industry. A ranking from Chambers shows that a particular lawyer or firm stands out in the most rigorous, independent, and in-depth research process of any legal directory on the market and has emerged as one of the best in their field.
Simpson is recognized by Chambers for his international and domestic work advising a client base of leading financial institutions, corporations and law firms on corporate finance; investment business and regulatory matters, including fin tech and digital assets; general aspects of corporate law; and investment funds, including crypto funds.
In addition to Simpson’s entry into the Chambers Global Guide this year, O’Neal Webster’s Corporate, Commercial, Investment Funds and Dispute Resolution practices were also recognized in the 2023 rankings.
The United Nations General Assembly adopted the UN Convention on the International Effects of Judicial Sales of Ships on 7 December 2022. The Convention looks to ensure certainty on an international scale regarding legal aspects of a ship’s judicial sale.
Overall, when the Convention comes into force sometime in 2023, it will enhance legal certainty by creating a uniform regime for the international effects of judicial sales of ships. For the international maritime community, the Convention is encouraging, beneficial, and delivered at the most appropriate time. Read the full article here.
O’Neal Webster acted as British Virgin Islands counsel to Masplay, S.A. and its wholly owned subsidiary Equinox Los Andes SPA on its multimillion-dollar acquisition of Nike de Chile Ltda.
Masplay is the leading Andean region marketer and distributor of athletic footwear, apparel, and equipment for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities, including the exclusive distribution of Nike in Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, and now Chile.
The success of Masplay’s transaction adds to O’Neal Webster’s reputation as an advisor and legal partner to multinational entities in their significant cross border transactions involving the BVI.
