Exhibit 5.01(a)


                                     [LETTERHEAD]



                                   February 7, 1997


CIS Investments, Inc.
Managing Owner of
  JWH Global Portfolio Trust
233 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606

Dear Madam or Sir:

         We refer to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No.
333-16825), filed by JWH Global Trust, a Delaware business trust (the "Trust"),
with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Act"), as amended by Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 thereto, filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about February 7, 1997 (the
"Registration Statement"), relating to the registration under the Act of 500,000
Units of Beneficial Interest in the Trust ("Units"). 

         We are familiar with the proceedings to date with respect to the
proposed issuance and sale of the Units and have examined such records,
documents and questions of law, and satisfied ourselves as to such matters of
fact, as we have considered relevant and necessary as a basis for this opinion.

         For purposes of rendering this opinion, we have assumed the
genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of natural persons, the
authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to
originals of all documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies,
and the authenticity of the originals of such copies.

         Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:

         1.   CIS Investments, Inc. (the "Managing Owner") is duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing as a corporation under the laws of the
State of Delaware and is in good standing and qualified to do business in each
other jurisdiction in which the failure to so qualify might reasonably be
expected to result in material adverse consequences to the Trust.




CIS Investments, Inc.
February 7, 1997
Page 2


         2.   The Managing Owner has taken all corporate action required to be
taken by it to authorize the issue and sale of Units to the Unitholders and to
authorize the admission to the Trust of the Unitholders as beneficial owners of
the Trust.

         We do not find it necessary for the purposes of this opinion to cover,
and accordingly we express no opinion as to, the application of the securities
or blue sky laws of the various states (including the state of Delaware) to the
sale of the Units.

         This opinion is limited to the laws of the United States, the States
of California, Delaware (general corporate law only), Illinois, New York, Texas
and the District of Columbia. 

         This opinion speaks as of the date hereof, and we assume no obligation
to update this opinion as of any future date.  We hereby consent to the filing
of this opinion as an Exhibit to the Registration Statement and to all
references to our firm included in or made a part of the Registration Statement.
This opinion shall not be used by any other person for any purpose without our
written consent.


                                       Very truly yours,

                                       SIDLEY & AUSTIN