Shelf Company in Jersey

A shelf company in Jersey is a legal entity that has already been registered according to the local incorporation laws. When buying a ready-made company, foreign investors will transfer the ownership and, at the same time, disclose information about the new beneficial owner(s), along with other data.

Buying a ready-made company in Jersey is advisable with the proper assistance and guidance. Those interested can fin dout more about this type of assistance and guidance from our specialists in opening companies in Jersey.

Shelf company characteristics

The main features of a shelf company in Jersey can be summarized as follows:

• It already has its Memorandum and Articles of Association drafted and approved in accordance with the laws in force;
• The required roles within the company have already been declared. These are the beneficial owners and controllers, along with the director(s) and the secretary (the last two being referred to as significant persons within the company);
• The company’s name is already approved and the nature of the business has already been selected;
• It is registered with the Jersey Financial Services Commission.

A shelf company in Jersey is incorporated as per the Companies Law 1991. Upon request, our lawyers in Jersey can give you more information about this law and the company director’s role and liability.

Some of the advantages that can be outlined in the case of a shelf company in Jersey include:

• Immediate trading: although company formation in Jersey is a straightforward process that even allows for an expedited company incorporation option, the shelf company is already registered, and the buyer can start doing business right away;
• Changes in particulars are possible and often employed. The name of the business can be changed to suit a new business identity, if this is part of the buyer’s business plan.

Jersey shelf companies

Buying a shelf company in Jersey presents a set of advantages, as stated above, however, investors have to be mindful of the company disclosure requirements that apply in this jurisdiction.

As per the Jersey laws, the change in beneficial ownership will have to be reported. Changes brought to the company particulars are usually registered following the payment of a fee. Some examples of fees and what they apply to are summarized below by our team:

• £144 for a company name change, for which the Registrar issues a Change of Name Certificate;
• a late fee of £100 per month (capped at £600) when the notification of change for a significant person or beneficial owner is registered within more than 21 days after its occurrence;
• no fee when the notification of change for a significant person or beneficial owner is registered within 21 days after its occurrence;
• £774 for converting to or from a cell company and the issuance of an amended certificate of incorporation.

We remind those interested in Jersey company formation that the types of companies available in this jurisdiction are cell companies, protected cell companies, incorporated cell companies and limited or unlimited companies. 

If you would like to know more about the alternative to buying a ready-made company, which is setting up a business in Jersey as a new legal entity, our team can answer your questions.

Services for investors in Jersey

In addition to our services for Jersey company creation or purchase, we also assist investors interested in company formation in Guernsey or in the set up of a Jersey trust.

Foreign nationals who have questions about the process to immigrate to Jersey, for example, as part of their intention to remain in the Channel Islands to manage their Jersey-based company, can also ask us more about their situation in order to receive assistance.

Contact us for more information on the use and availability of the shelf company in Jersey as well as the general steps required for those who opt to open a company in Jersey.