Bermuda-based Conyers Dill & Pearman has announced the launch of a dedicated trust and private client practice in the British Virgin Islands (BVI).

The firm has hired Raymond Davern to head the new practice, which will provide specialist legal advice on all aspects of BVI trust law to licensed trustees and clients, including high net worth individual residents worldwide and corporate and commercial trusts.

Mr. Davern has more than 10 years experience of chancery litigation and advisory work, and another 10 as lecturer in Law at King's College in London specializing in the law of trusts. Prior to joining Conyers, he was part of the private client team at one of Cayman's oldest law firms.

"Conyers has one of the largest and most experienced trust and trust litigation teams in the offshore arena," said Mr. Davern. "As developments in BVI law increase demand from international private clients and companies for sophisticated cross-border structures in the BVI, I look forward to developing Conyers' practice in BVI in these particular areas."

Conyers will host its second Annual Trust Forum in London on May 13, which will see lawyers from each of the leading jurisdictions of BVI, Bermuda, and Cayman Islands deliver a series of talks.