Eleanor Morgan

Overview

I'm the Managing Partner and Practice Leader of the Litigation team in our BVI office. I have practised in the BVI since 2011, before which, I worked in London at Macfarlanes LLP.

I have extensive experience acting on a wide range of international litigation, contentious trust and probate and insolvency matters. I have been involved in many of the largest offshore disputes to come before the BVI Court. 

Professional qualifications

• Solicitor Advocate, British Virgin Islands
• Solicitor, England and Wales (currently non-practising)
• ACTAPS Education Course

Memberships

• The BVI Bar Association
• The Restructuring and Insolvency Specialists Association
• A founding member of Women's Offshore Network

Work highlights

• Acting for liquidators in relation to a number of liquidations, including advising the joint liquidators of Kingate Global Fund, Ltd and Kingate Euro Fund, Ltd , two of the largest investors in the Madoff Ponzi scheme, investing approximately $1.7 billion over 14 years
• Advising creditors and debtors where liquidity issues have arisen
• Acting for the board of Hollysys Automation Limited in successfully defending a challenge to actions taken by the board
• Advising the beneficiaries and/or trustees of BVI trusts in relation to a wide range of different issues, including breach of trust claims, beneficiaries' information requests, issues with chains of trusteeship and in cases where the trustee has been named in foreign divorce proceedings in which the settlor or a beneficiary is a party
• Advising the heirs to a number of very large BVI situs estates in contested probate situations
• Advising and acting for shareholders in disputes including unfair prejudice claims, breach of partnership, breach of fiduciary duty and fraudulent misrepresentation claims in structures including underlying companies in Cyprus, PRC, Hong Kong, Africa and India
• Advising the General Partner of a BVI Limited Partnership and acting in litigation arising out of a number of BVI Limited Partnerships; and acting in a BVI-based arbitration

What the directories say

In Chambers and Partners Global 2025, Eleanor is ranked in Investment Funds. A source comments: "Eleanor Morgan is definitely our go-to lawyer for company and trust matters. She tells it like it is, she's pragmatic and she gets straight to the point."

Eleanor is listed in the Private Client Global Elite Directory 2025.

In Legal 500 Caribbean 2025, Eleanor is ranked as a Leading Partner in Dispute Resolution. A source comments: "Eleanor Morgan - top class litigator, very experienced, excellent strategist and superb client service."

In Chambers and Partners Global 2024, Eleanor is ranked in Dispute Resolution. She's described as "an exceptionally clever lawyer," who is "a joy to work with." Another source says: "Eleanor brings what the judges want and are looking for."

In the Legal 500 Caribbean 2024, Eleanor is ranked as a Leading Individual in Dispute Resolution. She is described as "a true leader in the BVI disputes space," and "adept at dealing with trust matters that arise in a more commercial context, which sets her apart from other BVI lawyers."

Eleanor is ranked in Dispute Resolution in Chambers and Partners Global 2023. A source says: "She's an excellent lawyer who does a good job for clients and has good judgement. She's my go-to person: she is outgoing, bright and has experience." 

Eleanor Morgan is listed in the Private Client Global Elite Directory 2023.

In Legal 500 Caribbean 2023, Eleanor is recognised as a Leading Individual in Dispute Resolution. A source in the guide says: "Eleanor Morgan is a stand out partner. She is exceptionally clever and well versed in a wide range of disputes. I turn to her for trust disputes and she is one of the best globally, certainly the best in the BVI."

"Eleanor is supremely confident, deeply experienced and understands commerciality." "She is accessible and gives sound advice." Chambers and Partners Global 2022. 

Commentators draw attention to Eleanor's "pragmatic and level-headed" approach, adding that she is "very smart and sensible" and "a great person to have on your team." Chambers and Partners Global, 2021. 

Commentators describe Eleanor as "knowledgeable and swiftly decisive" and "hugely experienced in litigation." Chambers and Partners Global 2020.

"Eleanor Morgan is a no-nonsense litigator whose direct and forthright approach to litigation has won her many admirers." Legal 500 2020. 

Eleanor is named in the prestigious Private Client Global Elite 2019.

Eleanor Morgan is "superb – a great practitioner and also very personable." Legal 500 2019.

In Chambers Global 2019, a source comments: "She's a great practitioner - very personable, clearly very experienced and knowledgeable. She is my main go-to for BVI disputes work."