Harneys is pleased to report the appointments of Justice Sher QC and Justice Wallbank to the BVI Commercial Court, as Commercial Court Judges, commencing in May.

Justice Sher QC will be the first rotating Judge, sitting from 2 May to 10 June 2016.  His distinguished career as counsel, arbitrator and a Deputy High Court Judge in the Chancery Division and the Commercial Court in England, spans more than 40 years. Justice Sher QC brings with him a wealth of expertise in international commercial and business law matters.

Justice Wallbank's appointment is for six months beginning on 15 May 2016. Justice Wallbank has previously acted as High Court Judge of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court of the British Virgin Islands Commercial Court and High Court (Civil Circuit), as well as of the Nevis High Court, in numerous matters, having practised as a litigator in the region for many years. His experience includes serving as the designated Judge appointed to adjudicate matters in the billion dollar liquidation of Stanford International Bank, in Antigua.  

Andy Thorp, head of Harneys' BVI Litigation practice, commented: "This is a welcome development for the BVI, giving its flagship Commercial Court substantive judicial depth and the continued ability to deal with complex cases efficiently and effectively."

The BVI Commercial Court is a division of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) and specialises in cross-border and high value commercial, company, trusts and insolvency law matters. Since opening the BVI Commercial Court in May 2009, the volume of commercial litigation and insolvency has increased in the BVI. The Court has dealt with numerous cases since its inception and continues to play an important role in the BVI's development of its financial services sector. 

Harneys' BVI litigation practice has acted on the majority of all large scale commercial dispute and insolvency cases before the BVI Commercial Court. The firm's global litigation practice also comprises teams in Bermuda, Cayman, London, Hong Kong and Cyprus. 

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