Practice Areas

Through our global network of offices and affiliates, Harneys provides the world’s top law firms, financial institutions and corporates, as well as private individuals, with legal services relating to British Virgin Islands, Cayman and Cyprus law. We understand the commercial environment in which our clients operate, and the firm has a long-standing reputation for providing fast, accurate and commercially astute advice in each of our key practice areas.

Banking & Finance

We advise the world’s most significant banks and financial institutions, and regularly act for borrowers and issuers. Areas of speciality include trade finance, debt restructuring, property and acquisition finance, international debt issues, and derivatives transactions.

Corporate & Commercial

We specialise in equity related issues and frequently advise on complex cross border transactions. Our team of lawyers has significant depth of experience in advising on joint ventures, private equity transactions, listings, mergers and acquisitions.

Investment Funds & Regulatory

We work with managers of hedge funds and private equity to establish and structure investment vehicles in the British Virgin Islands and Cayman Islands. We provide specialised advice on fund formation, restructuring, administration, and regulatory issues.

Distressed Funds

Market and regulatory events in the world’s financial markets can create challenges for global hedge funds. Our lawyers have deep expertise in the formulation of strategies that provide solid legal and commercially viable solutions for distressed funds.

Litigation & Insolvency

Our experienced litigation practice is at the forefront of the legal practice in the BVI. We have been involved in virtually every significant piece of litigation in the jurisdiction. Our areas of expertise include fraud and asset tracing, insolvency and trust litigation.

Trusts, Wills & Estates

We specialise in the creation of all types of BVI trusts, with particular emphasis on the creation of trusts to hold family trading and investing companies. Our team is at the forefront in creating new and innovative solutions for private and commercial clients.

Property

We provide advice to commercial and private clients on a variety of real property matters, including the acquisition, sale, or mortgage of residential and commercial property and land in the British Virgin Islands and other jurisdictions where we operate.

Intellectual Property

Our intellectual property practice has a client base including multinational corporations and specialist IP firms. Our services include the registration of patents and trademarks, monitoring of trademark registrations, and advising on potential trademark infringements.

Shipping

The British Virgin Islands and Cayman Islands are Category 1 branches of the General Register of British Ships. We provide commercially sensitive legal advice on acquisition, registration, financing, disposal and operation of ships in these tax-neutral ports of registry.

Testimonials
"Market opinion suggests that Harneys, 'a big old BVI firm' is 'the number one firm in the British Virgin Islands with a long march on everyone else'"
IFLR 1000



"This firm maintains its position at the top of the BVI market. 'People think of Harneys when they think BVI' and the firm lives up to its reputation."
Chambers Global



"Noted for its breadth of expertise across a range of areas, the firm excels in corporate/M&A and has an impressive portfolio of deals."
PLC Which Lawyer