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 insolvency matters, with emphasis on distressed funds work. I have been involved in many of the largest offshore disputes to come before the BVI Court in recent history. 

I regularly speak at leading international conferences.

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 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 the Legal 500 Caribbean 2024, Eleanor is ranked as a Leading Individual in Dispute Resolution. A source praises her for being "a true leader in the BVI disputes space." Another comments: "Eleanor Morgan is adept at dealing with trust matters that arise in a more commercial context, which sets her apart from other BVI lawyers."

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

Eleanor is individually ranked in Dispute Resolution in Chambers and Partners Global 2023. A source in the guide 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 as a Global Elite - Lawyer 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 hold Eleanor Morgan in high regard, describing her as "knowledgeable and swiftly decisive" and "hugely experienced in litigation." Chambers and Partners, 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 Legal Week Private Client Global Elite directory, 2019.

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

'Eleanor Morgan is well thought of among peers, with a broad international litigation practice which covers trust disputes as well as high-value insolvencies. According to one source, "she's a great practitioner - very personable, clearly very experienced and knowledgeable. She is my main go-to for BVI disputes work."' Chambers Global, 2019.