O'Neal Webster

The firm

The roots of O’Neal Webster date back to 1989. The firm was founded by Paul Webster KC, Colin O’Neal and Barbara O’Neal, all associates in BVI law firms. Their commitment to delivering a high level of legal service to clients and volunteer activity in the community led them to form the partnership of O’Neal Webster O’Neal. In 1993, a strategic alliance was formed with leading Caribbean law firm Myers Fletcher & Gordon of Kingston, Jamaica, to establish and develop what is now one of the leading commercial law firms in the British Virgin Islands, one of the most important offshore financial services centres in the world.

O’Neal Webster has grown with the BVI and has become established as a firm recognised globally for its expertise in all aspects of BVI corporate and commercial law as well as litigation. The proficiency and knowledge of the firm’s attorneys are well regarded, and they are to be found on several bodies within the BVI community contributing to the review and implementation of change to BVI legislation. The firm’s barristers have distinguished themselves at every level of the judicial system in the BVI, the Caribbean and at the Privy Council in London.

Areas of practice

Banking and finance: the firm has extensive experience advising on international and local banking transactions and is listed as the BVI firm of choice on the legal panels of many international and domestic banks.

Corporate and commercial: the firm frequently advises on all aspects of BVI corporate and commercial law, including stock exchange listings, BVI startups, partnerships, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions and corporate restructuring.

Intellectual property: the firm has gained a very good reputation as a trademark agent for numerous clients worldwide in handling significant transactions involving acquisitions of large trademark portfolios in the chain of title.

Investment funds, regulatory and digital assets: the firm offers efficient, practical and cost-effective advice on forming and managing various types of BVI funds and structuring and restructuring BVI funds.

Litigation: the firm’s attorneys have earned a reputation for excellence in complex commercial disputes, including insolvency and restructuring, combining innovative legal strategies with dedication and efficiency.

Trusts and estates: the firm provides practical commercial advice on all aspects of BVI trust law and trusts disputes to trustees (individuals and corporations) and beneficiaries alike on many issues, such as wealth protection, probate planning and trust creation.

Restructuring and insolvency: the firm’s expertise covers a gamut of insolvency-related issues, including advising directors and investors in distressed funds, debt restructuring and reschedulings, schemes of arrangements, cross-border insolvency, cross-border tracing and recovery action, liquidation of funds and other corporate entities, appointment and removal of liquidators and receivers, and appointment and removal of corporate trustees.

Property and business: With over 20 years of BVI practice, the firm has developed remarkable and recognised expertise in advising a wide range of clients, both domestic and international, in all types of BVI property and business transactions.

Shipping and aircraft: the firm offers the full range of services required to secure the registration of vessels and aircraft in the BVI and advises on all matters relating to the acquisition, financing, operation and transfer of vessels and aircraft in the BVI.