Lawyers and advisers in the British Virgin Islands
Find proven, recommended lawyers and advisers in the British Virgin Islands. The BVI is a common law jurisdiction and a member of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court. Its lawyers are known as legal practitioners and must be entered on the Roll kept by the Registrar of the High Court. Compare the profiles below and contact an adviser directly.
The most represented practice areas in the British Virgin Islands are Corporate, Commercial & M&A, Dispute Resolution & Litigation and Family & Private Client. Use the filters below to narrow by specialism or practice area, or search by name or firm.
Experts
Charlotte Caulfield
Charlotte is a leading and highly experienced licensed insolvency practitioner in the British Virgin Islands having been appointed over some of the most significant matters in the jurisdiction since commencing her practice there in 2009.…
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Hélène Anne Lewis
Founded in 2007, SimonetteLewis is a commercial law boutique at the cutting edge of international legal practice. Founding partners Helene Anne Lewis and Garvin Simonette bring 40 years’ combined experience to their newly established…
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Jamal S. Smith
Jamal S. Smith is an attorney who has worked at one of the largest Law Firms in the British Virgin Island for over 8 years and is now the Founder & Principle of THORNTON SMITH. THORNTON SMITH is a general practice law firm with expertise…
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Jeffrey Kirk
Jeffrey Kirk is the managing partner of the Appleby British Virgin Islands office and he leads the BVI office Corporate Practice Group. He advises on public and private M&A, capital markets, banking & finance, investment funds & services,…
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Nelcia St Jean
Nelcia St Jean, a partner at McW Todman & Co in Road Town, Tortola, was named Commercial Litigation Law Expert of the Year in the British Virgin Islands at the 2024 Corporate INTL Global Awards.
View profile →Frequently asked questions
What legal system do the British Virgin Islands have?
The Government of the Virgin Islands describes the BVI as a common law jurisdiction whose judiciary is based on that of the United Kingdom, although local statutes, orders and civil procedure rules make BVI law differ significantly from English law. The BVI is a member of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court. The High Court has unlimited jurisdiction, appeals go to the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal, and final appeals go to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London.
How do I check that a lawyer is qualified in the British Virgin Islands?
Under the Legal Profession Act, 2015, no one may practise Virgin Islands law unless their name is entered on the Roll, the register of legal practitioners kept by the Registrar of the High Court. The Roll is open to public inspection at the Registry of the High Court, and practitioners also need a practising certificate. The Virgin Islands General Legal Council regulates and supervises the profession. The BVI Bar Association, a voluntary association of lawyers, publishes a list of its members.
What are lawyers called in the British Virgin Islands?
Since the Legal Profession Act, 2015, every person entered on the Roll is known as a legal practitioner. The Act provides that any reference in a law or document to a barrister, solicitor or attorney-at-law is read as a reference to a legal practitioner. A legal practitioner is entitled to practise law, generally has a right of audience before the courts and is an officer of the Supreme Court. In difficult and complex cases, the High Court may also admit experienced overseas counsel for that case.
How much does a lawyer cost in the British Virgin Islands?
Lawyers usually charge by the hour or agree a fixed fee for a defined piece of work, and the cost depends on the complexity of your matter and the experience of the adviser. Ask for a written estimate and the terms of engagement before any work starts. Under the Legal Profession Act, 2015, you and a legal practitioner may make a written agreement on fees for non-contentious work, for example a gross sum or a percentage, and it can say whether disbursements are included.
Do I need a local lawyer or adviser in the British Virgin Islands if I am based abroad?
Often, yes. A BVI business company must have a registered agent, and the Registry of Corporate Affairs only accepts an incorporation application from the person who will be the company's first registered agent, licensed by the BVI Financial Services Commission. For disputes, the Commercial Division of the High Court sits in the BVI and hears commercial cases. A local legal practitioner or registered agent can usually work with you remotely by email and video call.
How do I contact a lawyer or adviser in the British Virgin Islands through Corporate INTL?
Open any profile on this page to see the contact details the firm has provided, such as telephone, email and website. Every profile also has a "Contact via Corporate INTL" button if you would rather send your request through us.