UK-based firm Withers has made an unprecedented move, becoming the first onshore law firm to enter the offshore market after announcing that it will open in the British Virgin Islands (BVI).
The office – which will provide a range of cross-border services including corporate and trust disputes, insolvency & restructuring, funds, and banking & finance – will be operational as of 1 May and staffed by litigation partner Jeremy Scott and corporate partner John Greenwood, both of whom will relocate from the firm’s London office.
The firm’s office in the BVI will be focusing on the niche area of international litigation, such as insolvency litigation and fraud and asset tracing.
‘Our approach with this office is to focus on insolvency and disputes and is extremely targeted. We are responding to the needs of our international clients who find a BVI component to their litigation in London or New York and need joined up advice. We will continue to work closely with the local BVI law firms,’ said Samantha Bradley, Managing Director of the firm’s Hong Kong office.
(source: Legal Business Online)
