(A synopsis of the recent amendments to the BVI Business Companies Act)
The renowned BVI Business Companies Act which came into effect 2005 and modernised the BVI corporate law regime promulgated under the earlier International Business Companies Act of 1984, has been further enhanced through amendments under the BVI Business Companies (Amendment) Acts, 2015 and 2016 (collectively, the Amendment Act). The Amendment Act was derived from consultations between the BVI Financial Services Commission and private sector firms including O’Neal Webster. Most of the amendments under Amendment Act took effect on January 15, 2016 except provisions relating the registration of information in relation to directors, which will take effect on April 1, 2016.
The Amendment Act has introduced some new concepts and in some cases has sought to clarify certain aspects of the existing legislation while providing greater flexibility in other areas. The key amendments made by the Amendment Act are discussed briefly below:
Companies listed on recognised exchanges
The Amendment Act expressly provides for the recognition of share transfers on recognised stock exchanges and provides greater flexibility in regulating the form and contents of the share register of such entities.
Specifically, the Amendment Act provides that where a company is listed on a recognised exchange, the company may keep a register of members containing the required information or such other information as the company’s articles permit or as may be approved by a resolution of members.
Additionally, it provides that where registered shares are listed on a recognised exchange, the registered shares may be transferred without the need for a written instrument of transfer if the transfer is carried out in accordance with the laws, rules, procedures and other requirements applicable to shares registered on the recognised exchange and subject to the company’s memorandum and articles and the Listed Companies and Funds Regulations (which are expect to be released shortly).
Execution of deeds
The Amendment Act has relaxed the requirements in relation to deeds governed by BVI law. In particular, it provides that an instrument under seal or a deed to be governed by the laws of the BVI is validly executed by a foreign company if the instrument is executed in a manner permitted by the laws of the territory in which the foreign company is incorporated, registered or organised. Additionally, the execution of an instrument under seal in accordance with the above meets the requirements of the laws of the BVI and shall be treated as an instrument executed under seal in relation to such execution.
Further, an instrument under seal or a deed that is executed in accordance with the above is validly executed as an instrument under seal or as a deed if it is executed in a manner contemplated by the parties to the instrument, and that includes, without limitation:
(a) where the complete instrument is executed; or
(b) where any signature or execution page of the instrument is executed, whether or not at the time of execution of the signature or execution page the remainder of the instrument is in a final form, and is attached to, added to, or compiled with, the remainder of the instrument by or on behalf of the party executing it or otherwise with the executing party’s express or implied authority.
The last paragraph in particular provides clarity on the usual practice of affixing signature pages to agreed documents which typically occurs in large cross border transactions.
Arbitration for disputes arising under Articles
The Amendment Act provides that the articles of a company may provide for any dispute involving the company and its shareholders or between its shareholders to be settled by arbitration in the BVI. This amendment coincides with the recent BVI Arbitration Act and the establishment of an arbitration centre in the BVI.
Issue of bonus shares
Subject to the memorandum and articles of a company, a bonus share issued by a company shall be deemed to have been fully paid for on issue.
Surrender of shares
A company may acquire its own fully paid share or shares for no consideration by way of surrender of the share or shares to the company by the person holding the share or shares.
Shareholders’ meetings
The Amendment Act provides an express power for the BVI Courts to order a shareholders’ meeting to be held, where shareholders requisition a meeting but the directors fail to convene it.
Instructions to registered agents
The Amendment Act now provides an express requirement for registered agents to follow any instructions contained in a board resolution.
It specifically provides that subject to the memorandum and articles of a company, a registered agent may act on the instructions of the directors of the company if those instructions are contained in a resolution passed by the directors and a copy of the resolution is made available to the registered agent. This particular amendment should improve the response time and certainty when dealing with Registered Agents.
Register of directors
The Amendment Act provides a new requirement for the filing of a copy of the company’s register of directors with the Registrar of Corporate Affairs. The filing is not public and therefore cannot be obtained from a company search but is held by the Registrar. Existing companies will have until March 31, 2017 to comply with this requirement.
Specifically, the Amendment Act provides that a copy of a company’s register of directors filed (including any changes to the register) shall be maintained by the Registrar and shall not, subject to certain contractual exceptions, be made available to any person except on an order of the Court, or on a written request by a competent authority:
(i) acting in the exercise of its powers as a regulator of financial services business, tax administrator or law enforcement agency; or
(ii) for the purposes of dealing with a matter for which it has authority under an enactment, including pursuant to its obligations to a mutual legal assistance request received or made or to be made by it.
Record keeping requirements
The Amendment Act replicates with minor changes provisions currently found in the BVI’s Mutual Legal Assistance (Tax Matters) Act, 2003 which require companies to maintain records and underlying documentation.
Continuations out of the BVI
The Amendment Act provides new requirements with respect to the notification of and consent of secured creditors of a company continuing out of the BVI.
Liquidations
The Amendment Act expressly allows for the voluntary liquidation of a company with a secured creditor provided the claim and priority of the secured creditor are given effect.
Conclusion
It is generally believed that these amendments will complement the existing regime and strengthen the overall BVI corporate law product. The filing of director information with the Registry is significant but the fact that the information will not be public continues to ensure that directorship details are only accessed in appropriate cases. The refinement of the legislation as it relates to transfer of shares in listed companies and the issue of bonus shares are welcomed. Overall, these changes represent an enhancement of the already highly successful BVI Business Companies Act.
