Registration of Business Names (Jersey) Law 1956

Summary

This Jersey law requires firms, individuals and bodies corporate that trade under a name other than their true legal or corporate name to register that business name with the registrar of business names (currently the registrar of companies). It sets out who must register, what particulars must be furnished, and the penalties and civil disabilities that apply if registration is not completed or kept up to date.

• Who must register: Firms, individuals, bodies corporate, limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships and limited liability companies carrying on business under a name that does not consist solely of their true names, plus foreign firms acting through a nominee, trustee or general agent in Jersey.
• Information required: Business name, general nature of business, principal place of business, and identifying particulars (names, nationality, residence, occupation) of partners or the corporate name and office of a body corporate.
• Ongoing duty: Any change to registered particulars must be notified to the registrar, and a notice must be filed if the firm or individual ceases to carry on business.
• Consequences of default: Failure to register or update particulars is an offence carrying a fine, and contracts entered into during a period of default become unenforceable by the defaulter unless the Court grants relief.
• False information: Knowingly or recklessly providing false or misleading information to the registrar is an offence punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment or a fine, or both.
• Registrar functions: The registrar files statements, issues certificates of registration, maintains an index of registered names, and may remove undesirable or misleading business names.

The law also empowers the Commission to publish fees for registration services and allows the Minister to make Orders and the Court to make Rules of Court for procedural matters under the Law.

Key obligations

• Firms, individuals and bodies corporate trading under a name other than their true name must furnish registration particulars to the registrar within 14 days of commencing business (or of a name change).
• Any change in registered particulars must be notified to the registrar within 14 days of the change (or such longer period as the registrar allows).
• A certificate of registration or certified copy must be kept conspicuously exhibited at the firm's or individual's principal place of business.
• Where a registered firm or individual ceases to carry on business, a notice to that effect must be sent to the registrar within 3 months of cessation.
• Persons must not knowingly or recklessly provide false or misleading information to the registrar in connection with registration or compliance with the Law.
• Persons required by the registrar to furnish particulars for verifying registration status must supply accurate particulars when so required.

Applies to

firms, individuals carrying on business under a business name, bodies corporate, foreign firms, limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, limited liability companies

Deadlines

• 14 days after the firm or person commences business: Deadline to furnish registration particulars to the registrar.
• 14 days after such change (or such longer period as the registrar may allow): Deadline to notify the registrar of any change in registered particulars.
• within 3 months after the business has ceased to be carried on: Deadline to send the registrar notice that a registered firm or individual has ceased carrying on business.

Related documents

• Business Names Appeal Rules 1998 is made under this document
• Business Names (Jersey) Order 1998 is made under this document