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.
Thank you to our clients, colleagues, and friends for your support and trust during the past year.
We look forward to serving you in the new year!
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Please note that the following are public holidays in the British Virgin Islands and our BVI office will be closed on:
The firm will also close early at 1:00 p.m. on December 24 and December 31.
In June 2025, the BVI Registrar of Corporate Affairs announced a six-month extension for certain statutory non-public filings.
Originally due July 1, 2025, the six month extension is set to expire on January 1, 2026.
The filings due include:
(i) the register of members, information on director services provided and beneficial ownership information relating to existing BVI companies; and
(ii) the register of general partners, limited partners, and beneficial ownership information relating to existing BVI limited partnerships.
In granting the extension, the Registrar acted pursuant to the discretion given in paragraph 60I(2) of Part VIIB of Schedule 2 of the BVI Business Companies Act (as amended), and in relation to limited partnerships, the Registrar acted pursuant to paragraph 18(2) of Part VIII of the Schedule to the Limited Partnership Act (as amended).
The extensions allowed the Registry more time to perfect its electronic systems and facilities already in place to accommodate the required filings.
For further information or assistance, please contact O’Neal Webster Corporate & Commercial Department Head Mr. Christopher Simpson ([email protected]) or your usual O’Neal Webster lawyer.
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:
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.
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.
