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FAQs
What annual fees will be applied to former local companies that are automatically re-registered?
Annual fees will be based on the company's stated capital. Please refer to the Transitional Provisions, Schedule 2 Part VI, Paragraph 48.
What is the fee to conduct a search on a former local company?
The fee is $15.00
SPECIAL NOTICE
Please read the Commission’s disclaimer and background statement on the immobilisation of bearer shares prior to viewing FAQs
Please read the Commission’s disclaimer and background statement on the immobilisation of bearer shares prior to viewing FAQs
DISCLAIMER
These Frequently Asked Questions summarise the views of the Commission regarding the interpretation of the relevant provisions of the BVI Business Companies Act, 2004 in relation to bearer shares generally and specifically with respect to grandfathered bearer shares, and how the Commission expects to apply those provisions. They represent interpretations based on questions raised by the industry. The responses to the FAQs are therefore intended as general guidance to the industry. As it is not a part of the Commission’s remit to offer legal advice to third parties, persons are advised to take independent legal advice on all relevant matters should they so wish.
BACKGROUND STATEMENT
What is the effect of transitional provisions in an enactment? How do they relate to the other provisions in the same enactment?
Essentially, transitional provisions in an enactment (principal or subsidiary) outline precisely when and how specified operative parts in the enactment are to take effect. They are designed to facilitate a transition from an existing regime to a new regime.
As Thornton (in his book titled “Legislative Drafting”) outlines, “The function of a transitional provision is to make special provision for the application of legislation to the circumstances which exist at the time when that legislation comes into force”. Transitional provisions in an enactment therefore give effect to existing scenarios/matters by outlining how (and when) they should be treated and modify the application of the substantive provisions in the enactment. They must therefore not be read in isolation and, unless they are specifically excluded with respect to existing scenarios/matters, they must be given effect.
Section 248 of the BVI Business Companies Act, 2004, (“BVIBCA”) specifically provides that “the transitional provisions set out in Schedule 2 apply” and that Schedule has the heading “Transitional Provisions”. The effect of the Schedule is to outline how companies under the old regimes (CapCo and IBC) would be treated or transitioned into the BVIBCA and, unless otherwise specifically excluded, the transitional provisions apply to those companies and matters relative to them to the exclusion of any other provision in the Act. Division 5 of Part IV of Schedule 2 of the Act is headed “Bearer Shares in Grandfathered Bearer Share Companies” and thus all bearer shares within the scope of a company which qualifies as a grandfathered bearer share company would fall to be treated in accordance with the terms of that Division as opposed to any other provision of the Act (unless specifically stated otherwise).
Consequently, a grandfathered bearer share company whose memorandum is amended by virtue of the operation of law in accordance with the terms of paragraph 34A (1) of Division 5 of Part IV of Schedule 2 would effectively have its bearer shares disabled (unless “revived” by a court order under paragraph 35 (4)). Indeed paragraph 35 outlines how an existing bearer share of a grandfathered bearer share company is to be treated and the consequences flowing therefrom.
In this context, the provisions of sections 38 (2) and Division 5 of Part III of the Act relate only to bearer shares that are not the subject of transition; they cannot be read to override the transitional provisions relative to bearer shares in a grandfathered bearer share company. To read this subject differently would be negating the purpose and effect of the transitional provisions and the whole purpose and intent of a transitional provision in an enactment.
What is the effect of transitional provisions in an enactment? How do they relate to the other provisions in the same enactment?
Essentially, transitional provisions in an enactment (principal or subsidiary) outline precisely when and how specified operative parts in the enactment are to take effect. They are designed to facilitate a transition from an existing regime to a new regime.
As Thornton (in his book titled “Legislative Drafting”) outlines, “The function of a transitional provision is to make special provision for the application of legislation to the circumstances which exist at the time when that legislation comes into force”. Transitional provisions in an enactment therefore give effect to existing scenarios/matters by outlining how (and when) they should be treated and modify the application of the substantive provisions in the enactment. They must therefore not be read in isolation and, unless they are specifically excluded with respect to existing scenarios/matters, they must be given effect.
Section 248 of the BVI Business Companies Act, 2004, (“BVIBCA”) specifically provides that “the transitional provisions set out in Schedule 2 apply” and that Schedule has the heading “Transitional Provisions”. The effect of the Schedule is to outline how companies under the old regimes (CapCo and IBC) would be treated or transitioned into the BVIBCA and, unless otherwise specifically excluded, the transitional provisions apply to those companies and matters relative to them to the exclusion of any other provision in the Act. Division 5 of Part IV of Schedule 2 of the Act is headed “Bearer Shares in Grandfathered Bearer Share Companies” and thus all bearer shares within the scope of a company which qualifies as a grandfathered bearer share company would fall to be treated in accordance with the terms of that Division as opposed to any other provision of the Act (unless specifically stated otherwise).
Consequently, a grandfathered bearer share company whose memorandum is amended by virtue of the operation of law in accordance with the terms of paragraph 34A (1) of Division 5 of Part IV of Schedule 2 would effectively have its bearer shares disabled (unless “revived” by a court order under paragraph 35 (4)). Indeed paragraph 35 outlines how an existing bearer share of a grandfathered bearer share company is to be treated and the consequences flowing therefrom.
In this context, the provisions of sections 38 (2) and Division 5 of Part III of the Act relate only to bearer shares that are not the subject of transition; they cannot be read to override the transitional provisions relative to bearer shares in a grandfathered bearer share company. To read this subject differently would be negating the purpose and effect of the transitional provisions and the whole purpose and intent of a transitional provision in an enactment.
If the owners of bearer shares of a grandfathered bearer share company failed to deposit them with a custodian or to convert them to or exchange them for registered shares before 31 December, 2009 what options are now available?
The Act provides a clear solution under paragraph 35(4) of Division 5 of Part IV of Schedule 2 (Schedule 2). The company or a person interested in the bearer share may apply to the Court to extend the transition date. The Court hearing the application may extend the transition date by such further period or periods not exceeding one year in total as it considers fit.
Can the owners of disabled bearer shares in a grandfathered bearer share company submit them to the company and request their exchange for registered shares?
The option of converting or exchanging an existing bearer share of a grandfathered bearer share company to a registered share expired on the transition date. After the transition date the existing bearer shares became disabled and the rights attaching to them were extinguished. In the circumstances, a disabled bearer share may not be exchanged for or converted to a registered share.
Can the owners of disabled bearer shares in a grandfathered bearer share company deposit them with an authorised or recognised custodian to terminate their “disability”?
Depositing a disabled bearer share in a grandfathered bearer share company with a custodian would not cure the disability. The available mechanism for doing so lies in paragraph 35(4) of Schedule 2 under which an application may be made to the Court for an extension of time to deposit shares with a custodian or to exchange them for or convert them to registered shares.
Can a grandfathered bearer share company whose memorandum was amended by operation of law under paragraph 34A(1) amend its memorandum to allow the company to issue bearer shares, convert registered shares to bearer shares or exchange registered shares for bearer shares?
The Act does not prevent a grandfathered bearer share company whose memorandum was amended by operation of law under paragraph 34A(1) of Schedule 2 from amending its memorandum to allow for the issue of bearer shares and the conversion/exchange of bearer shares to registered shares. The provisions of section 13 of the Act would apply and the relevant application form is R204. The amendment would not, however, relate to the disabled bearer shares but to the issue of prospective bearer shares and the conversion/exchange of same to/for registered shares.
Would the amendment “revive” the entitlements that were extinguished when the bearer shares were disabled?
The amendment would NOT serve to revive any entitlements that were extinguished when the bearer shares were disabled. This would require an application to the Court for an extension of time to deposit the shares with a custodian or to convert the shares to registered shares. The amendment would relate to the issue of prospective bearer shares and the conversion/exchange of same to/for bearer shares.
Are registered agents required to provide the Commission with a list of companies that are authorised to issue bearer shares?
This is not a requirement under the financial services legislation. However best practice requires that such a list should be maintained. The Commission may monitor compliance with the Act in the course of a compliance inspection or by a review of the prudential returns that are submitted by licensees.
What action may be taken against a company that did not deposit its bearer shares with a custodian?
Under paragraph 37 of Schedule 2, the Commission may apply to the Court for the appointment of a liquidator under the Insolvency Act where a company has not deposited its shares with a custodian after the transition date.
Where a person has lodged bearer shares with a custodian prior to the transition date but omitted to disapply paragraph 34A(2) of Schedule 2, what is the status of the bearer shares?
The bearer shares, by the operation of paragraph 35(5) of Schedule 2, would not be disabled by virtue of the fact that they were lodged with a custodian before the transition date. However, the company would not be able to issue bearer shares in the future or to convert/exchange bearer shares to/for registered shares without amending its memorandum to allow it to do so.
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