Founding

The British Virgin Islands is a premier offshore financial jurisdiction, highly regarded for its progressive, yet stable, legal environment. In 1989, O’Neal Webster was among the first law firms to establish exclusively in the BVI to serve onshore and offshore corporate, commercial, finance, banking, business, property, and trust and estate clients. As such, the firm has accumulated a great wealth of knowledge and experience in addressing clients’ transactional, regulatory, and litigation matters in the jurisdiction.

Advantages

With deep roots in the BVI, the firm’s ability to navigate local governing bodies, courts, administrative offices, and enforcement regimes is a definitive advantage for international clients. The firm’s intimate jurisdictional knowledge and involvement in developing new BVI products and legislation are particularly notable for maximizing outcomes. Managing Partner Vanessa King is a director of BVI Finance, the organization responsible for the development and promotion of the jurisdiction’s financial services industry. Vanessa King and Partner Kerry Anderson sit on the legislative committee of BVI Finance, which reviews and proposes amendments to current financial services legislation and proposes new legislation to encourage business. Partner Christopher McKenzie (London), chair of the STEP BVI Legislation Drafting Committee, was instrumental in drafting the Virgin Islands Special Trust Act, which revolutionized the trust industry in the BVI.

Community

O’Neal Webster lawyers and staff are widely recognized and appreciated for their many contributions to local and global non-profits and activities. The firm is highly involved in projects such as Green VI, a non-profit initiative established to educate islanders and encourage better use of resources for a greener, cleaner, healthier, and more prosperous BVI. In our offices and homes, we are “going green,” having adopted many of the Green VI recommendations and instituting more each year.

In addition to supporting a variety of local charities, including leadership in the British Virgin Islands’ Red Cross, the firm is a founding sponsor of the BVI Affiliate of Help For Children, a global non-profit dedicated to the welfare of sexually abused children.

Clients

Versatile, accessible, and collegial, the firm’s lawyers provide sound, practical advice and prompt service from its offices in the British Virgin Islands and the United Kingdom. International clients include major banks, financial services companies, investment funds, high net worth individuals, and law firms. Domestic clients include banks, public utilities, communications companies, statutory corporations, individuals, and tourism sector businesses. Clients appreciate the firm’s ability handle their complete legal and advisory needs, and to create opportunities through introductions to others with complementary interests.

Reputation

The practice earns recognition from international ranking bodies, including the Legal500, Chambers Global, IFLR1000, and Citywealth IFC.

The firm’s global footprint is augmented by an office in London and as the exclusive BVI law firm in Lex Mundi, the world’s leading network of independent law firms in more than 125 countries, and World Services Group, a globally recognized resource for professionals and their clients in the legal, investment banking, and accounting sectors.

Pro Bono

Our lawyers give back to the community, volunteering their time to not only civic and cultural non-profit projects, schools and sporting activities, and charities, but also to pro bono representation for those less fortunate and who cannot afford legal counsel. Among the many pro bono assignments the firm’s lawyers have taken on are those related to family and employment law, trusts and estates, and property rights.

As we undertake pro bono counsel representation, we are committed to providing quality service and responsiveness.