Disaster recovery plans at law firms with operations in the Caribbean were put to the test last week when Hurricane Irma struck.

Global firm O’Neal Webster reported that its office in Tortola, British Virgin Islands, had been closed but ‘our business continuity plan has been invoked and our computer systems are now operational together with online access to the BVI corporate registry’. International firm Harneys said the hurricane caused considerable damage.

One office building subsequently reopened with limited staff while remaining lawyers and employees were temporarily relocated to other offices.