Here you will find a series of briefing notes and articles that have been prepared for your information, please click on the links below to learn more.
This note provides a brief summary of the use of Jersey SPVs in structured finance transactions, outlines the principle legal and regulatory regime in Jersey governing such transactions, and highlights some key considerations for these types of structures.
This note is designed to provide an insight into the benefits and features of a Jersey Employee Benefit Trust.
This note is designed to provide you with some basic information about Jersey companies, the types of companies available in Jersey and some key advantages of using Jersey companies.
Security Interests (Jersey) Law 2022
This note provides a brief summary of the principal features of the Security Interests (Jersey) Law, 2012 and highlights some key considerations when creating security interests under Jersey law.
This note provides an overview of Jersey Separate and Incorporated Limited Partnerships. This note explains the common features of these Limited Partnerships and the key advantages of using them.
This briefing note is designed to cover the basic principles of Economic Substance and for the requirements for a Jersey company to be caught by the provisions in various circumstances
This note provides some basic information about Jersey private trust companies and their characteristics.
This note seeks to give a brief overview of Jersey trusts. In particular, it seeks to explain the main characteristics of the various types of Jersey trust and the key advantages of using them.
This note outlines the key characteristics of a Jersey foundation and the procedure involved in the establishment of Jersey foundations.
This briefing note covers the practicalities that Trustees have to consider when a trust is no longer able to satisfy its immediate financial obligations.
This note provides an overview of Jersey Funds.
Unregulated Eligible Investor Funds
This note seeks to explain the unregulated funds regime in Jersey. In particular, it explains the introduction of the unregulated eligible investor fund and the unregulated exchange traded fund.
This note provides an overview of the Jersey expert fund regime and how a typical Jersey expert fund is structured.
The Jersey Financial Services Commission (the “JFSC”) introduced the Jersey Private Fund (“JPF”) regime in 2017, to enhance Jersey’s competitiveness as a leading jurisdiction to establish funds. The JPF replaced three previous fund structures (COBO Only Funds, Private Placement Funds and Very Private Funds), however, it did not have a retroactive effect. Funds existing in 2017 could continue their operations until the end of their natural life and would be regulated in accordance with their current regime unless they apply to convert.
Qualified Investor Visa – 21/02/22
For the past decade, Panama has been updating and enhancing its immigration system through the introduction of new visa options. This reflects Panama’s longstanding tradition of welcoming people from different nationalities and backgrounds.
Immigration Visas in Panama – 16/02/15
This note outlines the main characteristics of the immigration system in Panama. For those seeking to retire, invest or work in a politically stable, secure environment, Panama offers an attractive solution through a variety of immigration visas.
Friendly Nations Visa – 16/09/21
This note outlines the main characteristics of Panama’s Friendly Nations Visa for nationals of specific countries that maintain friendly, professional, economic and investment relations with the Republic of Panama.
Forestry Investor Visa – 17/06/15
This note outlines the main characteristics of Panama’s Forestry Investor immigration permit for persons that would like to invest in Government reforestation projects and obtain a permanent resident status in the Republic of Panama.
Self Economic Solvency Visa – 04/05/16
This note outlines the main characteristics of Panama’s Self Economic Solvency immigration permit for persons that wish to live in Panama by making an investment of US$300,000.
Debt Recovery – 17/02/15
This note outlines some of the steps taken during a debt recovery procedure in Panama and how Hatstone Abogados may assist you.
Foundations in Panama – 17/02/15
This note outlines the key characteristics of a Panamanian foundation and the procedure involved in the establishment of Panamanian foundations.
Bearer Shares – 17/02/15
This note seeks to explain Law 47 of 6 August 2013 (“Law 47”), which adopts a custodial system for bearer shares issued by a Panamanian company, and how it affects you, as our client.
A Guide to Panama Companies – 08/05/15
This note is intended to provide introductory information about Panamanian companies, the types of companies available in Panama and some key advantages of using Panamanian companies.
Panama Private Funds – 24 May 2022
This note is designed to provide basic information about establishing Panama Private Funds.
British Virgin Islands – Investment Funds – 13/07/18
This note provides a brief summary of BVI investment fund structures.
British Virgin Islands – Investment Funds: The Approved Manager – 03/08/18
This note provides some basic information about British Virgin Islands (“BVI”) investment funds.
Investment Funds in the British Virgin Islands – Comparison Chart – 03/08/18
This note provides a comparison of investment funds in the British Virgin Islands.
British Virgin Islands – New Regulations for Closed-Ended Funds – 09/01/20
With the passing of the Securities and Investment Business (Amendment) Act, 2019 (the “Amendment Act”), the
British Virgin Islands (“BVI”) introduced a new regulatory regime applicable to most closed-ended funds operating in or from within the BVI.
Islas Vírgenes Británicas – Nueva Reglamentación Para Fondos Cerrados – 15/01/20
Con la aprobación de la Ley de Negocios de Valores e Inversiones (Enmienda), 2019 (la “Enmienda”), se introdujo en Islas Vírgenes Británicas (“BVI”) un nuevo régimen normativo aplicable a la mayoría de los fondos cerrados (Closed-ended funds) que operan en o desde las BVI.
British Virgin Islands – Economic Substance Regime Implemented – 18/02/20
Following the introduction of the Economic Substance (Companies and Limited Partnerships) Act, 2018 (the Act) in the British Virgin Islands (the BVI) on 1st January 2019 all BVI companies and all limited partnerships with legal personality need to assess their compliance with the Act and report their findings within six months after the end of their financial reporting period. The BVI International Tax Authority (the ITA) is advising companies and their directors to seek BVI legal assistance should the assessment under the Act not be straightforward and clear.
Islas Vírgenes Británicas – Nuevos Requisitos De Sustancia Económica Para Sociedades De Islas Vírgenes Británicas – 18/02/20
Con la introducción de la Ley de Sustancia Económica (Compañías y Sociedades Limitadas) de 2018 (la Ley) en las Islas Vírgenes Británicas (BVI) el 1 de enero de 2019, todas las compañías de BVI y todas las sociedades limitadas con personería jurídica deberán evaluar su cumplimiento de la Ley e informar sus hallazgos dentro de los seis meses posteriores al cierre de su período de presentación de informes financieros. La Autoridad Fiscal Internacional de las Islas Vírgenes Británicas (ITA) aconseja a las compañías y a sus directores que busquen asistencia legal en las Islas Vírgenes Británicas en caso de que la evaluación en virtud de la Ley no sea sencilla y clara.
British Virgin Islands – How to Redomicile an Investment Fund – 18/02/20
The British Virgin Islands (“BVI”) is one of the most popular and established jurisdictions for the formation and operation of offshore investment funds. In recent times, we have seen an increased interest in redomiciling investment funds from other offshore jurisdictions to the BVI and this client advisory provides you with some guidance on the process of redomiciling an investment fund to the BVI.
British Virgin Islands – Private Trust Company – 25/11/21
This note provides some basic information about British Virgin Islands (“BVI”) private trust companies and their characteristics.
A Guide to BVI Trusts – 29/07/19
This note provides a brief overview of British Virgin Islands (the “BVI”) trusts. In particular, it seeks to explain the main characteristics of the various types of BVI trusts and the key advantages of using them.
A Brief Guide To Limited Partnerships in the BVI – 21/09/18
British Virgin Islands: Update on Substance Rules for BVI Companies and Limited Partnerships – 17/07/19
Following the introduction of the Economic Substance (Companies and Limited Partnerships) Act, 2018 (the Act) in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) on 1st January 2019 all BVI companies and all limited partnerships with legal personality will need to assess their compliance with the Act and submit compliance reports within six months after the end of their financial reporting period. This means that all existing BVI companies and limited partnerships with legal personality will need to submit a report in 2020.
Desde la introducción de la Ley de Sustancia Económica (Compañías y Sociedades Limitadas) de 2018 (la Ley) en las Islas Vírgenes Británicas (BVI) el 1 de enero de 2019, todas las compañías de BVI y todas las sociedades limitadas con personería jurídica deberán evaluar su cumplimiento de la Ley y presentar informes de cumplimiento dentro de los seis meses posteriores al cierre de su período de presentación de informes financieros.
British Virgin Islands – Exponential Increase of Company Continuations to the British Virgin Islands
The BVI Registry of Corporate affairs (the “Registry”) has seen a 60% increase on incorporations between Q4 2020 and Q4 2021. There were more new companies formed in Q4 of 2021 than there has been in any quarter since 2018. Based on the latest figures there are over 368,000 active companies on the register. The recent upward trend in incorporation figures for the British Virgin Islands (the “BVI”) has shown that the BVI remains a highly popular offshore financial centre. Read the full article here.
Steady Increase in Company Continuations to the BVI – 29 June 2022
The latest statistics released by the British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission (“FSC”) show steady increase in the number of continuations into the British Virgin Islands (“BVI”). The statistics published by the FSC do not specify the jurisdictions from which the companies migrated.
You can download and read the full article here: 2022-06-29 BVI Continuations.
Substantial Amendments to the BVI Business Companies Act, 2004
The recently enacted BVI Business Companies (Amendment) Act, 2022 (the “Amendment Act”) and related BVI Business Companies (Amendment)
Regulations, 2022 (the “Amendment Regulations”) introduced several important changes which will take effect from 1 January 2023. The changes will apply to all BVI companies.
You can read the full article here: BCA Update 2022.