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.
O’Neal Webster, a leading law firm in the British Virgin Islands, is recruiting for a dedicated Compliance Officer, who may also function as the Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) subject to FIA approval. The role is responsible for ensuring adherence to all relevant compliance requirements and regulations. This includes establishing and maintaining compliance procedures and manuals, liaising with regulatory authorities, developing a compliance culture within the organization, and overseeing training and reporting functions.
To see a full description of the position here and apply, read more here >>>
O’NEAL WEBSTER, a well established law firm in the British Virgin Islands, is seeking a highly organised and detail-oriented Legal Secretary to join our Litigation Team. The ideal candidate will provide support to senior legal professionals with minimum supervision and is required to have strong litigation support experience, excellent communication skills, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
To see a full description of the position here and apply, read more here >>>
O’NEAL WEBSTER, a well established law firm in the British Virgin Islands, is seeking a highly organised and detail-oriented Legal Secretary to join our Property and Business Team. The ideal candidate will provide support to senior legal professionals with minimum supervision and is required to have strong transactional experience, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
To see a full description of the position here and apply, read more here >>>
In 2023, it was estimated that the value of assets under management by hedge funds was in the region of US $5 trillion. Increasingly, offshore jurisdictions such as the British Virgin Islands (BVI) feature in the structures used by onshore and offshore investment managers to cater for a growing and diverse cross section of investors, including newly minted fintech millionaires and billionaires. The BVI is the world’s largest offshore corporate domicile with over 350,000 active companies, and it is also the world’s second-largest offshore investment funds domicile with close to 2,000 investment funds.
Ship arrest is a legal mechanism whereby a ship can be detained as security for a claim pending the outcome of court proceedings. It is a tool unique to maritime law that can have significant legal, financial and operational consequences. Understanding the concept of ship arrests is essential for maritime stakeholders such as shipowners, charterers, cargo owners, P&I clubs and insurers; financers and mortgagees; suppliers and service providers and flag states, due to the significant legal, financial and other operational implications involved. The arrest of a ship can lead to costly delays, loss of income and reputational damage.
This article provides an overview of the legal framework, procedural requirements and key legal principles surrounding ship arrests in the BVI. Read more here >>>
The following is the fourth and final part of the very popular series written by Chris McKenzie. Topics covered in Part Four:
The BVI Registrar of Corporate Affairs has announced a six-month extension of the period for the statutory non-public filing of (i) the register of members, information on director services provided, and beneficial ownership information in relation to existing BVI companies; and (ii) the register of general partners, register of limited partners, and beneficial ownership information in relation to existing BVI limited partnerships.
In both cases, the initial the filing period ending on 1st July 2025 has been extended for a period of 6 months, ending on 1st January 2026. LEARN MORE HERE >>>
The Government of the Virgin Islands has amended the Commercial Recreational Vessels Licensing Act, 1992 (the CRVL), the Cruise and Home Port Permit Act, 2001 (the CHPP), and the Customs Management and Duties Act, 2021 (the CMDA). The amendments, passed on December 31, 2024, will take effect on June 1, 2025.
The amendments benefit the continued development of the Virgin Islands as a well-regulated maritime destination. They introduce clear licensing categories, reducing ambiguity for vessel owners and agents.
Additionally, there is added protection against illegal trade, ensuring that only safe and lawful vessels and operations enter and exit the Virgin Islands’ waters.
Most importantly, the amendments will streamline commercial recreational operations and increase safety in the Virgin Islands by making it mandatory for captains of larger vessels to be licensed and certified. Finally, balancing operational freedom and regulatory measures strengthens BVI’s position as one of the world’s premier sailing destinations.
O’Neal Webster proudly announces that Asha Johnson Willins has been elected as a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL). This prestigious distinction is a testament to Asha’s deep expertise in British Virgin Islands family law, cross-border family law matters and her unwavering commitment to her clients. She is the sole representative from the BVI within the IAFL, marking a significant achievement for both her and the jurisdiction.
The IAFL is a globally recognized association of leading family law practitioners, committed since 1986 to advancing the practice and understanding of international family law. Fellows are selected based on their exceptional skill, experience, contributions to the field and involvement in cases with a substantial cross-border or international element.
We extend our warmest congratulations to Asha on this well-earned milestone.
We are delighted to share that O’Neal Webster has again been recognized in Chambers Global Guide 2025 for the British Virgin Islands jurisdiction in Dispute Resolution and Corporate & Finance, including Funds categories. Ranked individuals include Paul Dennis, KC, for Dispute Resolution and Kerry Anderson and Christopher Simpson in Corporate & Finance, including Funds.
Chambers rankings are a definitive mark of excellence across the international legal profession. A ranking from Chambers shows that a particular law firm or lawyer 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.
We extend our gratitude to our clients and colleagues for their trust and support in achieving this recognition.”
This, coupled with the introduction of mainstream ETFs in the U.S. and the discussions around the SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) 121(which explicitly targets crypto-asset custodians), underscores the increasing relevance of cryptocurrencies and the pressing need for their regulation.
The British Virgin Islands (BVI) has long been recognised for its thoughtful and balanced approach to regulation. As the digital asset industry gained momentum, observers eagerly awaited the BVI’s stance on Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. The Territory’s proactive response did not disappoint, demonstrating its commitment to maintaining a secure and investor-friendly environment. Learn More Here >>>
Unfortunately in the case of many BVI companies, even those with a sole shareholder/director, too little attention has been given to succession planning. As readers will appreciate, particularly as shareholders age, it is prudent for those advising them to encourage them to focus their minds on their succession planning options at the earliest opportunity. Naturally, as a is the case with any other asset, succession planning needs to be considered by all individual shareholders of BVI companies, no matter how many shareholders or directors they may have, but the main focus of this article is on the many BVI companies which have a sole shareholder/director.
These bank failures can have a devastating impact on depositors, including bankruptcy.
Similarly, the spectacular collapse of FTX, at the time one of the world’s largest digital currency exchange platforms, shocked account holders who suddenly faced the prospect that their money was gone.
One month after FTX filed for bankruptcy, O’Neal Webster was engaged by a profitable British Virgin Islands company with significant exposure in the FTX collapse. The losses were so severe that the company faced insolvency. Notwithstanding, in conjunction with a local accounting and consultancy firm, we guided the company back to regular operations in about 100 days.
This article by Kerry Anderson, Head of O’Neal Webster’s Funds and Regulatory Department, summarizes what you should know when your BVI company faces a financial collapse caused by events out of your control.
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.
