The scope of this Internet resource guide is to create a site of specialized and selective references in the area of offshore asset protection. It aims at providing legal professionals, accountants, and professional advisors in the area of financial and estate planning with the most reliable, up-to-date, and accurate information available in the field. The mission and nature of this web guide are to facilitate access to quality web resources in a specific area of business practice. It is an online library of legal and governmental resources that include web search utilities such as legislations, cases, statutes, treaties, news, procedures and other specific tools helpful and essential in relation to the offshore asset protection world.

CORE LIBRARY FOR LEGAL, TAX AND OFFSHORE INFORMATION

Westlaw 

The Westlaw database is a large collection of legal resources, news, business and public record information. It provides access among other things to U.S. federal materials, US state material, and International/worldwide materials. In the area of offshore asset protection, Westlaw is especially useful because of the West news databases (All news Plus wires) which helps the user to remain up to date with the latest business and/or government information available worldwide. It also provides access to national and international treaties. The governmental directories are also indispensable tools. One of the great features of Westlaw is its research assistance service which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year. They can be contacted by telephone at 1-800-REFATTY (1-800-733-2889). Westlaw offers flexible pricing customized subscription options. However, pricing will vary depending of the databases selected. It can also be accessed by credit card for a flat fee of $12.00 per document or, by transactional pricing subscription which will vary from $5.00 to $75.00 per minute depending of which databases you access. Some databases in Westlaw are very specialized and therefore expensive. Also Westlaw offers a 14 day free trial.

Lexis Nexis 

Lexis Nexis is a large legal database. It provides legal, news, public record and business information including tax and regulatory publications online. Lexis Nexis provides access, among other things, to newspapers, business and financial databases, 10-K's, Annual reports, International reports, Newswires, magazines and newsletters. It offers two unique services: The Anti-money Laundering solutions service and the National Fraud Center Investigative Services which have become essential services for the practitioner in the area of offshore asset protection to combat and identify fraud. It also offers a variety of products and services for accountants. Forms are available for corporations and limited liabilities companies which are the favorite entities in the area of offshore asset protection. Lexis Nexis also offers a research and user assistance service. They can be contacted by telephone at 1-800-543-6862. Access to Lexis Nexis may be purchased by subscription or by credit card. A per document charges will vary from $1.00 to $12.00 per document depending of which database is accessed. It can also be subscribed per day or per weeks for unlimited access to documents at a set price. Daily access varies from $30.00 to $75.00 and weekly access varies from $75.00 to $250.00. Again, prices are determined by the databases selected.

CheckPoint 

Checkpoint is the most comprehensive tax research service delivered through the World Wide Web. The core RIA features titles by Warren Gorham & Lamont (WG & L) one of the most respected provides of analytical and legal taxation information. WG & L has a unique collection of national and international treaties which are essential to every professional advisors practicing in the area of offshore asset protection. The core WG & L treatises libraries on checkpoint offers unlimited access to the entire line of WG & L federal, state, local, and international treatises is vital for anyone with tax responsibilities. The Estate planning libraries is unique in its kind. Checkpoint is an exceptional if not essential resource to stay informed of daily updates of primary source materials. It is a vital tool for lawyers, accountant, financial and estate planners to manage change in tax legislation at all level of governments and jurisdictions. Checkpoint offers 30 day free trial. Checkpoint is an expensive resource. The Checkpoint International Tax Research package cost $3,395 per user. The Estate Planning with Treatises package cost $4,115 per user whereas the Estate Planning database package without Treatises costs $2,055 per user. Checkpoint customer service department can be contact by telephone at 1-800-431-9025.

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SPECIALIZED LIBRARY FOR JURISDICTIONAL UPDATES

Offshore Investment 

Offshore Investment is the leading resource to provide unrivalled coverage of the offshore world. It provides analyses of the current trends and recent developments that affect the offshore industry through incisive articles and jurisdictional updates written and developed by key offshore professionals. Offshore Investment offers access to the expertise of the industry's foremost professionals and academics. The electronic archive offers access to hundreds of articles and case studies written by senior industry professional, which have served to shape the industry over the last two decades. The online archive is a unique source of information, which is essential to every professional evolving in the area of offshore asset protection. The archive provides an indexing system to easily access articles through key words, subject, title or author. In the U.S. the subscription rate is $502.00 for one year (10 issues) or $903.00 for two years (20 Issues) or $1,205.00 for three years (30 Issues). Offshore Investment customer service department may be reach by telephone at 011-44-28 9032 8777 in Belfast or by email at subscription@offshoreinvestment.com

 Offshore Finance Canada

Offshore Finance Canada aims to provide a responsible and reliable source of information on offshore financial matters for Canadian professionals, investors, and business executives. It covers the finance sector from a strictly Canadian perspective. The archive provides back issues from 1996 to today. Beginning with the May/June 2002 issue, Offshore Finance Canada became the Canadian edition of Vault Magazine. Offshore Finance Canada is provided by OFC Publications and the customer service department may be contacted by telephone at 1-800-340-4104 to order back issue or access the archive. One-year subscription (6 issues) cost $78.00 and two years subscription (12 issues) cost $126.00. Free trial is available.

Offshore Finance USA

Offshore Finance USA is the US edition of Offshore Finance Canada. It provides accurate and reliable information on the offshore financial matters for American professionals, investors, and business executives. It covers the offshore finance sector from an American point of view. The archive provides back issue from 1999 to 2002. Free trial is available. Beginning with the May/June 2002 issue, Offshore Finance USA became the American edition of Vault Magazine. Offshore Finance USA cost $78.00 for a year and $126.00 for a two year subscription. The customer service department may be contacted by telephone at 1-800-340-4104.

Trust and Trustees

The Journal Trust & Trustees is published by Gostick Hall Publications. The official site of Trust & Trustees provides review about trusts, offshore jurisdictions, international tax planning, and international cases law. It is a tool allowing academics, practitioners, trust companies, banks and politicians to find accurate information about international trusts. The web site allows to read summaries of court decisions and summaries of articles previously published in Trust & Trustees. Full text of opinions and full text of trends & developments are accessible for free. However to access full text articles, subscription to the Journal is required. To order an article or to buy a subscription you may send an email at trusts@dial.pipex.com or contact customer service by telephone at 011 44 1799 541152.

Offshore Red

Published 10 times a year Offshore Red is specialized in monitoring legislative change in 35 offshore jurisdictions. Its Litigation Update section summarizes key offshore cases of interest in the area of offshore asset protection. It also offers concise news, analysis and surveys covering legal, fiscal and regulatory changes offshore. Even thought full-text article are not available online, this periodical is essential to the professional advisors to keep inform of the latest changes in the offshore jurisdictions. The subscription costs $715.00. Free trial is available. You may contact the subscription department by email at subscriptions@campden.com.

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SELECTED OFFSHORE JURIDICTIONS REGULATORS

Anguilla Financial Service Department

This is the official website of the Anguilla Financial Services sponsor by the British and Anguillian Goverments. It provides access to the Anguilla's world standard companies registry system ACORN (Anguilla's Commercial Online Registration Network). AC ORN is a companies registration system which enables instant and secure electronic incorporation and registration of Anguillan: Ordinary Companies, International Business Companies, Limited Liability Companies, Limited Partnerships, and Trust Companies. In addition, this site allows the user to download electronic copies of the Anguilla Financial Services legislations. It also gives all the information needed to contact the registrar of companies and the Director of Financial Services. This agency can confirm good standing of company; provide certificate of good standing; advise if license are revoked or suspended; provide a list of licensed firms. It cannot provide company's disciplinary history, copy of complaints filed or recommend a particular service provider.

Central Bank of the Bahamas

The Central Bank of the Bahamas is responsible for licensing new financial institutions, as well as supervising existing ones. The Bank has a broad power to supervise bank and non-bank financial activities. As a supervisor of banks, the Central Bank promotes the soundness of banks through the effective application of international regulatory and supervisory standards and has implant a strong mechanisms for international cooperation with Bahamians and other foreign supervisory and law enforcement agencies. This agency can advise if a licensed is revoked or suspended and provide a list of license firms. The site provides links to electronic copies of the jurisdiction legislations and to other Bahamian agencies relevant to the area of offshore transactions like the Bahamas Investment Authority (BIA). A Directory of the Government departments with email and phone numbers is also provided. It cannot confirm good standing of company or provide certificate of good standing or company's disciplinary history. It will not provide copy of complaints filed or recommend a particular service provider.

British Virgin Islands Financial Services Department

The Financial Services Commission oversees the division of the marketing and regulatory functions within the BVI offshore financial services center. The FSC manage the application of the regulatory standards set out in existing legislation such as the Anti-Money Laundering Code of Practice (2000) and the Financial Services (International Co-operation) Act 2000. Among other things, the FSC ensures that all firms and individuals authorized to provide financial services in and from the BVI are competent and financially sound. Among other things, the FSC monitor, detects and prevents financial crime and assists in the prosecution of crime. Its goal is to facilitate innovation in financial services in the jurisdiction. Finally, the FSC administer and enforce the law and provide guidance within the financial services industry. The site provides electronic copies of actual legislations and forms. It also provides a broad range of information on banking, company, insurance, limited partnerships, mutual funds and trust formation and operation. Finally the site provides an online directory of the Financial Services Department. This agency can confirm good standing of company; provide certificate of good standing; advise if license have been revoked or suspended; provide a list of license firms; advise if complaints have been filed; provide copies of complaints, if public. It will not provide company's disciplinary history or recommend a particular service provider.

Cayman Islands Monetary Authority

The Cayman Islands Monetary Authority goal is to maintain a well-regulated financial services regime and monetary stability. The principal objectives of the Authority are among other things to promote and maintain a sound financial system; to advise Government on banking and monetary matters; to provide assistance to overseas regulatory authorities. The Authority is constituted of nine divisions: Operations, Currency operations, Banking Supervision; Investment Service Supervision, Policy & Research; Fiduciary Services, Compliance, Legal Division. However, this agency can only provide and disclose a list of licensed firms. The site allows to access electronic copies of application forms to create trust and other offshore entities. It also provides a wide range of additional information from statistics, to licensing requirements. The information to contact the Monetary Authority and each of the divisions is also provided. It cannot confirm good standing of company or provide certificate of good standing. It does not give company's disciplinary history neither does it provide copy of complaints filed. It will not recommend a particular service provider.

Central Bank of Cyprus

The Central Bank assumed a leading part in promoting Cyprus as a regional financial and business center. Cyprus offers numerous advantages and incentives to foreign investor. The constitution guarantees the right of private property while it does not discriminate between Cypriots and non-Cypriots. The administrative procedures are simple. In the case of investors from the EU there are no restrictions concerning the percentage of foreign participation or the level of investment. For investors outside the EU participation of up to 100 percent is permitted in most cases. The Central Bank can advise if license is revoked or suspended, provide a list of license firms, advise if an individual was ever reprimanded. The site gives a wide range of information about incorporation of International Business Companies, Trustee Services and Ship Owning Companies. Forms are accessible electronically. Registration procedures are extensively explained and the information to contact each department is provided. It cannot confirm good standing of company or provide certificate of good standing or provide company's disciplinary history. It will not provide copy of complaints filed nor recommend a particular service provider.

Gibraltar Financial Services Commission

The Commission supervises and reviews the operation of Gibraltar legislation and the effectiveness of supervision of financial services. It monitors how Gibraltar legislation and supervision complies with the European Union obligations and supervisory standards governing financial services. Its goal is to protect the public against financial loss arising out of dishonesty, incompetence or malpractice. The Commission can confirm good standing of a company, provide certificate of good standing, advise if a license has been revoked or suspended, provide a list of licensed firms. Legislation as well as forms are available online. An email directory is also available. It cannot provide company's disciplinary history or provide copy of complaints filed or recommend a particular service provider.

Guernsey Financial Services Commission

This site provides a wide range of information about banking, insurance, investment and fiduciary. Some legislations are available online. Contact information to reach the FSC is also available on the site. One section is dedicated to new legislation and provides copies of the final drafts of the new laws. The Commission regulates the finance sector to international standards. Its main goal is to protect depositors, investors, policyholders and the public in general. The Commission can only disclose and provide a list of license firms. It will not confirm good standing of company or provide certificate of good standing or provide company's disciplinary history. It cannot provide copy of complaints filed or recommend a particular service provider.

Jersey Financial Services Commission

The Jersey Financial Services Commission is the agency supervising the financial services, depositor, investor and policyholder arrangements in Jersey. The Commission also oversees the regulation and supervision of banking, investment funds, insurance business, investment business, trust, and company service providers. Its Director serves as Registrar of Companies as well. This website provides information on the supervision and regulation of the finance industry of Jersey as well as information about all the above-mentioned areas of offshore business transactions. A list of contact details for further enquiries is also available on the site. The Commission can confirm good standing of companies, provide certificate of good standing, and provide a list of licensed firms. It cannot provide company's disciplinary history or provide a copy of complaints filed or advise if license has been revoked or suspended. It will not recommend a particular service provider.

Labuan Offshore Financial Services Authority

The Labuan Offshore Financial Services Authority or better known as LOFSA is an agency of Labuan responsible for the island business development and promotion. It is also in charge of processing application and supervises offshore activities. LOFSA develops national objectives, policies and set priorities in regard of offshore business in its jurisdiction. The agency administers and enforces legislation. It incorporates and registers offshore companies. This site is LOFSA's official Web site. It provides all the information relevant to doing business in Labuan which offer a wide range of offshore financial services including banking, investment banking, insurance, captives, trust business, fund management, investment holding, company management. The information provided includes but is not limited to all legislations, appropriate procedures, guidelines, publications and contact informations for the agency. It cannot confirm good standing of company, nor provide certificate of good standing, or provide company's disciplinary history, or provide copy of complaints filed or advise if license has been revoked or suspended. It will not recommend a particular service provider.

Nevis Financial Services Department

The Nevis Financial Services Department (FSC) evolved within the Nevis Ministry of Finance. The Department is responsible to manage the offshore financial services industry of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis. It oversees applications and enforcements of the legislations related to trust, International Business Corporations, Limited Liability Companies (LLC's) and Offshore Banks. The official website provides access to electronic copies of the Nevis legislations, a wide range of other information: procedures for registrations, fees for registration of offshore entities, annual registration fees, nature and time frame of registration procedure. A Nevis Offshore providers directory is included on the web site and contact information for the Nevis Financial Services Department is provided. The FSC can confirm good standing of company, provide certificate of good standing, advise if a license has been revoked or suspended, advise if individual were ever reprimanded, and provide a list of licensed firms. It cannot provide company's disciplinary history or provide a copy of complaints filed or recommend a particular service provider.

St.Kitts Financial Services Department

The Department is responsible for the supervision of any finance businesses in or from within the Federation relevant but not limited to companies, limited partnerships, and Trusts. The official web site provides all the information needed in relation with those areas of business. The legislations are available electronically and all the appropriate contact information is provided. However, as of September 14th 1998, no person has been authorized by the Federal Government to carry on offshore banking, investment, insurance or assurance business in or from within the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis. The FSD can confirm good standing of company, provide certificate of good standing, advise if a license has been revoked or suspended and provide a list of licensed firms. It cannot provide company's disciplinary history or provide a copy of complaints filed or recommend a particular service provider.

Turks and Caicos Islands Financial Services Commission

The Financial Services Commission (FSC) is the agency that oversees all regulatory aspects of the islands financial services industry. The agency is responsible for licensing and supervising all finance-related operating entities to internationally accepted standards. The FSC also provides a centralized and cost-effective service for registering companies, partnerships, trademarks and patents in TCI. The official website will provide all the information needed to do business in the Turks and Caicos Islands. All contact information is provided on the site. The FSC can confirm good standing of company, provide certificate of good standing, advise if a license has been revoked or suspended and provide a list of licensed firms. It cannot provide company's disciplinary history or provide a copy of complaints filed or recommend a particular service provider.

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Originally Created by
Helene Tremblay – 9/27/02
Email: helenetremblaysc@yahoo.com