Over the years we have been accustomed to advertising jobs in the British Virgin Islands in a certain way. The biggest challenge we faced previously was avoiding the clichés of sun, sand and sea, not always easy in a place that many have described as the most beautiful in the Caribbean.
In September 2017, the islands were hit by Hurricane Irma, the most powerful Atlantic storm in history. Images from the immediate aftermath revealed a trail of destruction which even veterans of numerous Caribbean hurricane seasons had never seen the like of before. In the following days, against all of the odds, the islands’ business continuity plan kicked into action and in no time, courts were hearing BVI cases out of St. Lucia, the company registration system was back online and lawyers were servicing their clients with only the shortest of interruptions.
Two months on from Irma and reports coming out of our clients give considerable cause for optimism. Lawyers are returning in large numbers from their temporary homes in Cayman, Hong Kong, London or elsewhere. Day to day life is still a long way from perfect, but it is okay and it is improving week to week. Some bars and restaurants need rebuilding but others remain open and we hear reliably that there is still every opportunity to get out and socialise with friends and colleagues.
Perhaps the best indicator of all, in terms of confidence, comes from the fact that firms are starting to recruit again, not only replacing people who have left but also resuming growth strategies that were already pencilled in. Lawyers are busy and workflows are strong so whilst nobody denies that there is still a great deal to be done, there is a real feeling that BVI can, and will, come back better than ever. Now could be just the time to get a foot in the door.
Openings exist now for Corporate Lawyers, Funds Lawyers and Insolvency/Litigation Lawyers to start in 2018. For an up to date discussion about developments in BVI please contact Jason Horobin at [email protected] or connect at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonhorobin/
0 comments on “An update on the British Virgin Islands”