Jersey Introduces LLC Legislation

LLC Overview

LLCs are a very flexible structure. They are very widely used in the US across a range of areas including holding companies and fund structures which is what they will most likely be used for in Jersey. It is estimated that over two thirds of all newly established entities in the US are LLCs.

The Jersey Financial Services Commission (JFSC) will issue a certificate of formation for LLCs in Jersey and will be the regulator for them. Given the popularity of LLCs as fund and fund management vehicles it is expected that JFSC guidance and Codes of Practice will also be updated to allow LLCs to be used for collective investment funds and for funds services business.

 Key features of LLCs include:

They will have legal personality (can sue and be sued and own assets in their own name) but will not be a body corporate;

They benefit from limited liability;

They must have at least one member and can have managers;

The key governing/constitutional document of the LLC is the LLC agreement. In keeping with other jurisdictions, the LLC agreement will not be a matter of public record so members (and managers) can regulate their affairs privately. This distinguishes LLCs from traditional limited companies where memoranda and articles of association are publically available and is more akin to limited partnerships whose partnership agreements do not need to be filed;

The terms of the LLC agreement will determine how the LLC is operated. The member or members may operate the LLC themselves or can appoint one or more managers (who will act in a manner broadly equivalent to directors of a traditional limited company) to undertake the operation and management of the LLC;

The appointment of a Jersey resident secretary (typically a Jersey based corporate services provider) who will be responsible for record keeping and will usually also provide the registered office for the LLC;

The ability to create separate series consisting of separate members, managers, interests or assets each of which will have separate legal personality. These series LLCs are typically used for fund or structured finance transactions and are similar in concept to cell companies. Typically series are used to ring fence assets and liabilities for a specific fund or deal and are common in the US.

In addition to the LLC Law there will be ancillary laws and regulations passed but in keeping with Jersey’s excellent reputation as a well-regulated and transparent international finance centre it is anticipated that LLCs will be subject to the strict anti-money laundering and “know your client” regime which exists here. LLCs will also need to comply with the requirement to disclose ultimate beneficial owners to the JFSC. They will also likely be subject to the recently enacted substance requirements which have been introduced by Jersey in consultation with the European Union as part of the OECD’s “base erosion and profit shifting” international initiative which Jersey complies with. Finally, LLCs will also be subject to the tax information exchange arrangements which Jersey has entered into based on the OECD model.

The tax treatment of LLCs in the US depends on the “check-the-box” election and is deliberately designed for maximum flexibility. Jersey LLCs should be treated in the same way as any other non-US LLC and able to make appropriate elections depending on underlying tax analysis and advice.

While initially a product designed primarily with the US market in mind there is a possibility that other jurisdictions will be attracted to the LLC as a structure or that fund managers from outside the US will use Jersey LLCs to attract US investors.

Summary

The LLC Law will allow US investors, fund managers and other businesses to set up a familiar structure in Jersey which should increase the jurisdiction’s appeal to the US market. Jersey Finance (the industry body which represents Jersey’s finance industry internationally) has announced their intention to open an office in the US in the near future and the timely introduction of the LLC Law should enhance structuring options for US investors who are attracted to Jersey as a finance centre with an excellent geographical location, reputation and time zone.

Appleby’s Role

Appleby has a broad corporate practice. Our jurisdictional coverage of Bermuda, BVI, Cayman, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Isle of Man, Jersey, Mauritius, Seychelles and Shanghai provides us with extensive coverage across international finance centres. We also have extensive experience of dealing with LLCs in the US and elsewhere and now our Jersey team will be able to offer advice and assistance in relation to LLCs in Jersey.