Anthony Partridge
Partner | Legal
Cayman Islands
Partner
Cayman Islands
No Content Set
Exception:
Website.Models.ViewModels.Components.General.Banners.BannerComponentVm
The Cayman Islands beneficial ownership regime (Regime) came into force on 1 July 2017. It establishes a secure, non-public centralised platform on which beneficial ownership information of in-scope companies (ISCs) must be maintained. Although trusts are themselves out-of-scope, they may still be Registrable Persons with obligations under the Regime and material penalties apply for breach.
This Advisory focusses on the impact that the Regime will have on trusts and for a more detailed analysis of the Regime please refer to our Client Advisory.
Practical steps
All Cayman legal entities should confirm their classification as "in-scope" or "out-of-scope" and document the results of such assessment. However, the analysis should extend also to all individuals and Cayman-legal entities which are connected, directly or indirectly, to a Cayman Islands company or LLC. For example, an individual does not need to be directly connected to the Cayman company but could be connected to another entity, including a trust, which itself is an owner of the company (see "Who is a Beneficial Owners?" for more details).
Classification – out-of-scope
The Regime applies only to Cayman Islands companies and LLCs (defined above as ISCs). In the first place, it should be identified whether or not the ISC falls within one of a number of exemptions, including:
We expect considerable attention to be focused on the Managed Entity and Subsidiary exemptions. In relation to the Subsidiary exemption, it appears that a company that is wholly held on the terms of a trust will be treated for the purposes of the Regime as a subsidiary of the trustee. Where the trustee holds a trust licence under the BTCL, the company may be out-of-scope on the basis that it is a Subsidiary.
Classification – in-scope
Unless it falls within an exemption, therefore, all companies and LLCs incorporated in Cayman or registered by way of continuation in Cayman, including ordinary companies, exempted companies and exempted segregated portfolio companies are in-scope.
Who is a Registrable Person?
Registrable Persons in respect of a company are (i) beneficial owners (as described below), and (ii) relevant legal entities (that is, a Cayman entity that would be a Beneficial Owner if it were an individual).
Beneficial owners are individuals who, in respect of an ISC:
Regulations provide details of what indirect ownership means.
Obligations under the Regime
ISCs have extensive obligations under the Regime, including an obligation to:
Beneficial owners and relevant legal entities also have their own obligations, including an obligation to respond to any notice received from an ISC as well as having a proactive obligation to notify an ISC that they are Registrable Persons, even where they have not received a notice. Trustees and individuals connected with trusts that have a Cayman company within the structure should therefore carefully consider their role and whether or not they have obligations under the Regime.
Further information
For a more detailed analysis of the Regime, please see our Client Advisory. For specific advice on a particular case, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Anthony Partridge
Partner | Legal
Cayman Islands
Partner
Cayman Islands
Joanne Huckle
Partner | Legal
Cayman Islands
Partner
Cayman Islands
Ogier is a professional services firm with the knowledge and expertise to handle the most demanding and complex transactions and provide expert, efficient and cost-effective services to all our clients. We regularly win awards for the quality of our client service, our work and our people.
This client briefing has been prepared for clients and professional associates of Ogier. The information and expressions of opinion which it contains are not intended to be a comprehensive study or to provide legal advice and should not be treated as a substitute for specific advice concerning individual situations.
Regulatory information can be found under Legal Notice
Sign up to receive updates and newsletters from us.
Sign up
No Content Set
Exception:
Website.Models.ViewModels.Blocks.SiteBlocks.CookiePolicySiteBlockVm