Islanders are being asked for their views on who should be able to see who ultimately owns and controls the thousands of companies registered in Jersey.

The Island has kept a “central register” of beneficial ownership since 1989, but it is currently only accessible to “competent authorities” in other jurisdictions – typically, a government agency or organisation which has the legal power to legislate and enforce laws.

These authorities are primarily involved in detection and prevention of financial crime, although information is also shared with international partners.

However, with beneficial ownership transparency gaining prominence on the global agenda, the government is now looking at broadening who can access its database, which is maintained by the Jersey Financial Services Commission.

Explaining its motives behind the consultation, the government said: “Jersey has a long-standing commitment to upholding the highest standards in anti-money-laundering (AML), countering the financing of terrorism (CFT), and countering the financing of proliferation (CPF). 

“It’s widely recognised that countries should adopt a risk-based approach when implementing these standards. This means carefully balancing the need for transparency with broader policy considerations, ensuring that measures are proportionate, effective, and respectful of individual rights.

“In the context of beneficial ownership transparency, this balance is particularly important. While increasing access to information to certain categories of person can support efforts to tackle illicit finance, it cannot come at the expense of an individual’s fundamental right to privacy.

“This consultation paper seeks to explore that balance. We invite views from stakeholders and the wider community to help shape a policy that will enable Jersey to meet its international commitments while maintaining a fair, proportionate, and effective framework.”

The government proposes that only people with a “legitimate interest” will be able to access the register.

It suggests the definition for legitimate interest is “natural persons who can demonstrate a legitimate interest in accessing beneficial owner information for the purpose of preventing, detecting, or investigating money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing offences”.

Drawing on categories applied in other jurisdictions, the government proposes that the following categories may be considered to have a legitimate purpose:

  • Persons acting for the purposes of journalism whose work is directly connected to prevention of money laundering, terrorist financing or proliferation financing;
  • Civil society organisations and academic institutions involved in bona fide research or advocacy related to the prevention of money laundering, terrorist financing or proliferation financing; and
  • Digital know your customer and business service providers whose products or services support Jersey obliged entities in meeting their customer due diligence obligations

Responses to the consultation​ should be submitted no later than the close of business on 30 January 2026.