Covering the full spectrum of financial services regulatory, tax and compliance work, the team at Harneys acts for both regulated and non-regulated entities. Its slate of work regularly includes anti-money laundering and terrorist financing compliance, financial services regulations, sanctions, data protection work and economic substance issues. Leadership of the practice is shared by a trio of lawyers: Philip Graham, head of the firm's transactional team in the BVI, as well as being global head of regulatory and compliance, excels in investment funds regulatory law; Ayana Hull’s experience spans large-scale development and infrastructure projects, and enforcement and regulatory actions; and London-based global head of regulatory and tax Aki Corsoni-Husain.
Regulatory and compliance in British Virgin Islands
Harneys
Responsables de la pratique:
Philip Graham; Ayana Hull; Aki Corsoni-Husain
Les références
‘Responsive, well versed in BVI issues, heard working.’
Principaux clients
Wave Digital Assets
Principaux dossiers
- Acted for Wave Digital Assets in establishing an offshore master/feeder structure along with an onshore (US) fund.
Ogier
In regulatory and compliance law, the 'strong cross-jurisdiction practice with deep experience' housed at Ogier's Tortola office is a specialist destination for BVI financial services and investment business regulation. Its broad range of financial services regulation work has included diverse matters from establishing new corporate credit card structures, to indirect ownership changes, and trust license applications. The firm is also a market leader in fintech advice, assisting with innovative businesses and structures, including token offerings and related financings, platform launches, and applications for registration under the BVI virtual assets service providers act. Michael Killhoury co-leads the department and is leader of all transactional practices in the BVI for the firm. Alongside him leading the team is Jersey-based Simon Schilder, who practices BVI law full-time and is counsel of choice to a host of major investment managers. David Mathews comes highly recommended by clients, and Marie-Claire Fudge is a further key name.
Responsables de la pratique:
Michael Killourhy; Simon Schilder
Les références
‘Ogier has a strong cross-jurisdiction practice with deep experience. In particular, David Matthews has over seven years experience handling blockchain related projects. We like using Ogier to obtain opinions on the thorny technical issues that other firms often can’t provide.’
‘David Matthews is one of the most experienced (if not the most experienced) practitioner of web3 BVI law. He focuses solely on providing BVI legal advice which provides strength in depth.’
‘Ogier distinguishes itself in the legal market with a strong focus on delivering high-quality, client-focused services through its exceptional team, including Michael Killourhy and David Mathews. Both are very good in regulatory and compliance and are the firm’s go-to experts in DeFi and crypto, bringing specialized expertise and innovative solutions to these emerging areas. Their comprehensive, strategic approach ensures clients receive tailored, efficient, and cutting-edge legal support.’
Principaux clients
Moon Laboratories Inc – ‘Masa’
Agora
Althea
Nodle
Aurora
Gitcoin
Tools for Humanity (World Coin)
Matrixport
TDX Strategies
One.io
DCL Markets, Dexterity Capital
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Masa on all aspects of the construction of a “zero-knowledge” data marketplace and network.
- Advised Oneio on its application for registration under the BVI’s Virtual Assets Service Providers Act.
- Advised Agora on the issue of new USD-backed stablecoin called AUSD.
Walkers BVI
Walkers BVI is part of the firm's cross-Caribbean offering in regulatory and compliance law, with the firm's Cayman Islands office handling a share of complex work relating the the BVI. Notable clients from across the banking, insurance and reinsurance, and investment sectors look to the firm for assistance with financial regulation and risk management issues, as well as contentious and advisory matters. Lucy Frew at the Cayman office oversees the BVI regulatory practice too and has particularly deep experience in fintech regulation. Andrew Howarth is a further key contact at the Cayman office, and Sara Hall in London bolsters the financial services and international regulation offering. Iona Wright is the contact to note in the BVI and stands out for her knowledge of the regulatory aspects of investment funds.
Les références
‘Walkers’ team in BVI has extensive experience with regulatory and compliance frameworks in BVI, as well as their application to cryptocurrency businesses.’
‘The team is knowledgeable, professional and responsive. They are there every step of the way and find solutions rather then just pointing out issues.’
Principaux dossiers
Appleby
Appleby is equipped to cover the full range of areas of business and financial services regulation, including compliance, corporate governance, regulatory and risk advisory matters. Issues related to blockchain, cryptocurrencies and digital assets are a recent strength for the team as well as being a focus for practice head Jeffrey Kirk. Andrew Jowett and Peter Colegate, who are based in Jersey and the Cayman Islands, respectively, are key partner contacts for BVI regulatory matters. Corporate and financing expert Shana Simmonds-Lewis is sought out for advice in this area, and Brittany Cummings is another BVI contact to note.
Responsables de la pratique:
Jeffrey Kirk; Andrew Jowett; Peter Colegate
Les références
‘They are commercial and responsive, and have good knowledge of cryptocurrencies.’
‘Andrew Jowett is very user-friendly and quick to respond.’
‘Stuart Fee is knowledgeable and reliable.’
Principaux clients
Bitfinex
Fractal Network Ltd
Monetalis Services Limited
Oanda Corporation
JTC Plc
Shift4 Payments LLC
Tether
Principaux dossiers
- Acted for JTC Plc on the proposed acquisition of the FFP Group.
- Acting for Tether on regulations affecting new products and services, advising on digital asset launches and token issuances, acting as deal counsel on lending and security transaction strategic partnerships and for equity investments.
- Advising Monetalis Services Limited on the formation of new Isle of Man and BVI structures to facilitate the investment and diversification program to support DAI.
Carey Olsen
Carey Olsen's regulatory team is a key component of its wider transactional and financial services offerings, with practitioners that have experience frequently engaging with the regulators. The practice is adept in both contentious and non-contentious work, with a particularly strong client base in finance and with leading trust companies. Elizabeth Killeen leads the department and is a dedicated regulatory law expert, well versed in advising CSPs, trust companies and registered agents, as well as supporting regulated entities on restructuring advice, FSC notices, ITA applications, and economic substance technicalities. Corporate and commercial partner Clinton Hempel is an experienced name to note in this team, while Katrina Lindsay is the standout support to Killeen, following the departure of Jude Hodge in February 2024.
Responsables de la pratique:
Clinton Hempel; Elizabeth Killeen; Chris Duncan
Les références
‘Carey Olsen BVI distinguishes itself in the legal market with a strong focus on delivering high-quality, client-focused services through its exceptional team, including Katrina Lindsay and Chris Duncan. Both are top corporate and finance lawyers with a keen interest in DeFi and crypto, bringing specialized expertise and innovative solutions to these emerging areas. Their comprehensive, strategic approach ensures clients receive tailored, efficient and cutting-edge legal support.’
‘Katrina Lindsay is a great lawyer, very approachable and commercial. Together with Chris Duncan they have carved out a nice crypto/DeFi niche in the BVI and Cayman markets.’
‘Carey Olsen and Chris Duncan in particular are my go-to Cayman/BVI law firm for all things crypto-related. Talented, fast, and very experienced.’
Principaux clients
BreakFirst Capital Inc.
BreakFirst Fund Inc.
Caprilla Asset Management (BVI) Limited
CP WEN LAMBO FUND LIMITED
DBS Fund Ltd
Falcon Management International Limited
Invisto Opportunity Fund 1 LP
IronPro Fund Corp
Socket Technologies Limited
Placeholder Fund III LP (Backpack)
Principaux dossiers
- Assisting BreakFirst Capital Inc. and BreakFirst Fund Inc, with its successful approved manager and private investment fund applications and getting their regulatory approval from the BVI Financial Services Commission.
- Advising Socket Technologies Limited on BVI legal and regulatory matters (including VASP and economic substance) relevant to its $5m investment round to expand Socket’s collaboration with Coinbase.
Mourant
Mourant's regulatory and compliance team supports clients in the Caribbean and internationally, acting for a number of multinational banks and corporations, as well as HNWI clients. The practice is frequently engaged as part of large teams of counsel on cross-border transactional matters, while also being a strong choice for contentious regulatory inspections and investigations. In BVI, corporate partner Ian Montgomery is the senior contact overseeing the practice, with the wider team co-led by Cayman Islands-based Sara Galletly. Saraid Taylor's practice encompasses corporate, regulatory and investment funds advice and she is the most active of the BVI-based lawyers in this area.
Responsables de la pratique:
Sara Galletly; Ian Montgomery
Les références
‘The team comprises of highly skilled and experienced members that all demonstrate a great customer focus, investing time to understand the needs and requirements of their clients and an extremely fast turn-around time with content of highest quality and completeness. Services are not only delivered as asked and before deadlines but the team members are excelling by thinking ahead and beyond the mere task anticipating potential additional implications and consequences within the the context of the requested ask.’
‘We recommend Sara Galletly and Saraid Taylor. We always felt respected, listened to and found very competent partners not only processing our requests but actually challenging them making sure the ask was covered in full. The turn-around time was exceptionally fast and supported our tight deadline. In addition the communication always was in a way that we exactly knew about the status and in its form very pleasant.’