News and Insights

The amendments to the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991, which came into force on 1 June 2026, are intended to simplify company administration and bring Jersey more closely into line with other jurisdictions. As part of our “Espresso” series, we have been considering some of the key changes introduced by those amendments.

This article considers the new ability of directors to rectify certain errors and omissions contained in a company’s register of members.

Before 1 June 2026, a company seeking to correct an error or omission in its register of members was generally required to obtain a court order. That process would involve additional time and expense for the company (and the court).

Companies now have the power to rectify errors and omissions without judicial involvement provided that all relevant consents have been obtained including the consent of all and any persons who would be adversely affected by the change. In contentious or uncertain cases, it is likely that the company would seek to involve the court.

If the error or omission that has been rectified without recourse to the court has a knock-on effect with regard to any document filed with the registrar, the registrar must be notified of the change within 14 days of the rectification.

Legal advice should still be sought where an error or omission is identified in the register of members to ensure it can be appropriately corrected, but the change should reduce the cost and administrative burden of correcting straightforward mistakes.

For financial services businesses, the reform should simplify the administration of companies, particularly in more complex structures where shareholdings may change regularly or where share incentive arrangements are in place. It should also support more accurate corporate record-keeping and may facilitate smoother due diligence in connection with any future merger or acquisition involving the company.