Business
Companies Act 1995 with an international business corporation regime
The Companies Act 1995 adopts the CARICOM harmonised model with articles of incorporation and no ultra vires doctrine, administered by the Intellectual Property and Commerce Office. The International Business Corporations Act supports a separate offshore sector regulated by the Financial Services Regulatory Commission. Insolvency is governed by the Bankruptcy Act together with the winding-up provisions of the Companies Act.
Key rules
- Jurisdiction — National registration; offshore sector regulated separately by the FSRC
- Deadline — Annual return: filed each year with the Registrar
- Deadline — Change of directors or registered office: notice within 15 days
- Deadline — International business corporation: annual licence fee due on the anniversary
Governing law
- Companies Act 1995
- International Business Corporations Act
- Financial Services Regulatory Commission Act
- Bankruptcy Act
In practice
The offshore sector has been substantially reshaped by economic substance requirements and automatic information exchange, so an international business corporation now has to demonstrate real activity for certain income types rather than merely hold a licence. Anyone inheriting a legacy structure should confirm both its filing status and whether it still meets substance rules, because struck-off entities are common.