There are two types of cell companies in Jersey –

  • The Protected Cell Company (PCC); and
  • The Incorporated Cell Company (ICC) These are similar to segregated account companies used in some other jurisdictions. They are well recognised structures amongst international finance centres.

Protected Cell Companies

Legal Structure

A PCC is a single legal entity with separate and distinct "cells" within it. Each cell may, but is not required to, have cell shares. A cell of a PCC cannot contract in its own name; it is the PCC which will be the contracting party, in respect of the relevant cell which must be identified.

Uses

Unlike certain other jurisdictions, Jersey law does no seek to restrict the use of PCCs. However, the Jersey Financial Services Commission will monitor their uses and issue guidance if necessary.

Because a PCC is a single legal entity for tax purposes, it can be seen as a solution for entities caught by Controlled Foreign Corporation rules of their jurisdiction.

Beyond the funds and captive/life insurance markets, they are popular as asset-holding vehicles and segregated investment vehicles for high net worth individuals.

Legal segregation & Position of Creditors

Assets and liabilities of cells in a PCC are, by law, segregated from those of other cells and those assets are not available to creditors of other cells in an insolvency. Recourse beyond the cell is permitted only in certain circumstances.

There is a statutory provision that no party shall seek, whether in any proceedings or by any other means whatsoever or wheresoever, to make or attempt to make liable any cellular assets attributable to any cell of the PCC other than the cell with which they are transacting.

Dividends

A PCC may pay a cellular dividend in respect of cell shares by reference only to the cellular assets and liabilities, or the profits, attributable to the relevant cell. In determining whether or not profits are available for the purpose of paying a cellular dividend, no account need be taken of:

  • the profits and losses, or the assets and liabilities, attributable to any other cell of the company; or
  • non-cellular profits and losses, or assets and liabilities.

Directors' Duties

It is the duty of the directors of a PCC:

  • to keep cellular assets separate and separately identifiable from non-cellular assets;
  • to keep cellular assets attributable to each cell separate and separately identifiable from cellular assets attributable to other cells; and
  • where transacting in respect of a cell, inform third parties of this fact and ensure if is reflected in the relevant minutes.

Incorporated Cell Companies

Legal Structure

An ICC is a legal entity, as are each of the Incorporated Cells (ICs) associated with it. The ICC and each of its ICs have the following in common:

  • Secretary; and
  • Registered office.

A single annual return is filed for the ICC containing information relevant to each IC.

ICs contract in their own names as they are separate and distinct entities from their ICC.

Uses

As with PCCs, Jersey law does not restrict the use of ICCs. They are particularly versatile structures for the following reasons:

  • a lower cost base (compared to standalone companies) because of the ability to share certain functions through the ICC, particularly attractive for fledgling ventures; and
  • the ability to spin-off an IC or convert into a stand-alone company through various mechanisms set out in the legislation. There are other ways in which ICCs and ICs may be reorganised.

As with PCCs, they could be used for structuring investment holding companies.

An example of this would be property development and holding companies each set up within different ICs or cells to hold intellectual property rights or image rights of budding sports stars.

Legal segregation & Position of Creditors

Legal segregation is achieved by reason of the fact that an ICC and an IC are each distinct corporate entities. The position of creditors is the same as for a normal corporate entity. ICs contract in their own name hence there is no issue of cross liabilities within an ICC.

Detailed notes on PCCs and ICCs are available on request.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.