NovoJuris - The Fine Print #8: Beyond Borders: Structuring, Taxation and Governance of BVI Funds
The British Virgin Islands (BVI) continues to be an attractive jurisdiction for fund formation, offering fund managers flexibility in structuring investment vehicles and accessing global investor pools. But what makes the BVI the right choice, and what should fund managers consider before setting up?
In this edition of Fine Print, we take a practical look at establishing and operating a fund in the BVI, covering fund structures, key stakeholders, taxation considerations, governance frameworks and the commercial aspects of getting a fund off the ground. The session will also explore how BVI compares with other popular fund jurisdictions and highlight common pitfalls that fund managers should be mindful of.
Who should attend
Fund managers, sponsors, investment managers, trustees, PE/VC and debt fund professionals, investors, family offices, and legal, tax, accounting and compliance professionals.
We particularly encourage attendees to have their tax advisors join the session.
What you'll take away from the session
Why choose the BVI over other fund jurisdictions? Understand its advantages, investor considerations and tax implications.
Explore typical fund structures, including debt funds, and the roles of key stakeholders.
Understand capital gains taxation, short-term and long-term gains, permanent establishment requirements and common tax pitfalls.
Learn about fund governance, board responsibilities, investment committees and decision-making structures.
Get practical insights into launching a fund, including fund size, LP commitments, key appointments and estimated setup costs.
About the speakers
Siobhan Flax is the Associate Director and Asia-Pacific Affairs Officer at the British Virgin Islands (BVI) Government Representative Office in Hong Kong, where she leads and supports the BVI Government's engagement across the Asia-Pacific region, with a focus on strengthening international relationships and promoting the Territory's financial services sector.
With over a decade of experience in diplomatic service, Siobhan previously served at the BVI Government Representative Office in London (2011–2023), representing the interests of the British Virgin Islands across the United Kingdom and European Union. In her current role, she works closely with government agencies, financial services stakeholders, educational institutions and business partners to strengthen the BVI's international presence and facilitate cross-border trade and investment opportunities.
Siobhan holds a Master's degree in Diplomacy, Statecraft and Foreign Policy from Loughborough University, London, and a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Georgia State University, USA.
Everton Robertson is Principal of ER Law’s Hong Kong office. He is a corporate, private equity, finance, private client and investment funds lawyer who has acted for major financial institutions, corporations, founders, SOEs, private equity firms and UHNWs throughout Asia. His focus includes general corporate, venture capital and pre-IPO financing, mergers and acquisitions, IPOs in Hong Kong (HK), the PRC and the United States (US), and the establishment of open and close ended investment funds.
Everton is a permanent resident of Hong Kong. He has been a Cayman Islands and British Virgin Islands (BVI) lawyer for over 23 years and a Solicitor of England and Wales since 1992.
About NovoJuris Legal
NovoJuris Legal is an innovative, new-age law firm with offices in India and the United States of America. We leverage our up-to-date and in-depth legal knowledge to adapt to the evolving business environment.
We are approachable, think beyond conventional approaches, work as an extension of our clients’ teams, and offer solution-based counsel to our clients.
With over two decades of experience, NovoJuris has empowered and championed its clientele across the spectrum of growth, governance, and exits – within and outside India. We have worked with over 2,000 high-impact technology companies, large corporations, high-growth startups, and disruptive businesses.
NovoJuris Legal was founded in 2008 by Sharda Balaji and has since grown to a team of over 40 professionals, advised more than 2,000 institutions across industries, and worked on over 900 venture financings.
NovoJuris has been recognised by Chambers, The Legal 500, Forbes, Asialaw, IFLR1000, Asian Legal Business, India Business Law Journal, IP Stars, and RSG’s Resight India for our forward-thinking approach to legal practice.
Our practice areas include venture capital and private equity, technology laws, alternative investments and funds, intellectual property, cross-border transactions and compliances, M&A, privacy and data protection, corporate advisory, startups and accelerators, employment laws, real estate, dispute resolution, mediation and settlements. We also focus on newer and emerging practice areas such as global capability centres (GCCs), AI governance, and space law.
We cater to a diverse range of businesses and industries, including investment funds, SaaS, big data, analytics, fintech, health-tech, artificial intelligence, BFSI, automated driving, media and entertainment, e-commerce, Web3, SpaceTech, real estate, and more.
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