A Practical Comparison of the 1931 and 2006 Isle of Man Companies Acts

An Isle of Man Government press release of 2 August 2005 promised the creation of a new type of business friendly company that would be simple and inexpensive to administer.

The Companies Act 2006 came into effect on November 1 2006 creating the 2006 Act Company. The 2006 Act operates in parallel to the Companies Acts 1931 – 2004 which govern the traditional type of company (a “1931 Act Company”).

Several years into the existence of the 2006 Act Simcocks Advocates sees the two different types of company as “horses for courses”. Which is more suitable for a particular client’s needs depends on the situation. A characteristic of one type of company which might be an advantage in one situation may be a disadvantage in a different situation.

Following enquiries from clients, Simcocks has prepared the comparison table below setting out in summary form the characteristics of each type of company. This table is not exhaustive; it is intended as a practical guide and should not be taken as a statement of the law on any matter. References in the table to the Registry are to the relevant Isle of Man Department whose functions will typically be carried out by the Companies Registry, and references to the IoMFSA are to the Isle of Man Financial Services Authority.

We hope that this paper is of assistance both to clients deciding which type of company to use, and in working with each type of company.

November 2023

Incorporation and initial matters

2006 Act Company	1931 Act Company
May be incorporated as limited (by shares, by guarantee, or hybrid) or unlimited (with or without shares)	Same
Memorandum and articles of association required	Same
Only licensed CSP may apply to incorporate a 2006 company	No similar restriction
Company has separate legal personality	Same
Subscriber shares required	Same

Constitutional documents

2006 Act Company	1931 Act Company
The memorandum may specify the majority or conditions required to amend it or the articles	75% voting majority required to amend articles
The memorandum may authorise the directors to amend the memorandum or the articles	No equivalent
The memorandum may restrict the company’s activities in any way (but without limiting its capacity)	Only specified restrictions permitted (but without limiting the company’s capacity)
Memorandum and articles and changes thereto must be filed with Registry	Same

Name of company

2006 Act Company	1931 Act Company
No distinction between designations; can be “Limited”, “Ltd”, “Incorporated”, “Inc” etc	Private company designation is “Limited” or “Ltd” and public company is “public limited company” or “PLC”
No distinction between private and public companies	A company which may offer its securities to the public is a public company and has additional requirements as to filings etc
Name is subject to Registry approval	Same
No equivalent	Name must be displayed outside registered office
Name, number and registered office must be in all written communications	Same

2006 Act Company	1931 Act Company
Shares may be ordinary, convertible, redeemable, preference, non-voting etc	Same
Shares may be issued with or without a par value	Shares must have a par value
Bearer shares prohibited	Same
Treasury shares permitted	Same
Directors may consolidate or divide shares	Company in general meeting may consolidate or divide shares
Directors may redenominate shares in other currency	No statutory provision to redenominate shares, and in practice redenomination is complicated
Share certificates optional	Same
Commissions at the rate decided by the directors may be paid for subscriptions for shares	Commissions for share subscriptions limited to 10%
Statutory pre-emption rights may be applied by the articles to the issue of new shares by the company	No statutory pre-emption rights
No filing requirement in relation to share capital	Notice of consolidation or division of shares, or increase in authorised share capital, must be filed with the Registry
Class rights may be varied with the consent of the majority stated in the articles or 75% voting majority	Same, but 15% dissenters may apply to Court to disapply the variation
No share premium account is required	Share premium account (undistributable) required
No restriction on issuing shares at a discount	Issue of shares at a discount must be approved in general meeting and by the Court
A purchaser which has acquired at least 90% of shares may compulsorily acquire the shares of the dissenting minority	Same

Offering documents

2006 Act Company	1931 Act Company
Offering document is required to contain all material information	Same
Directors may be liable for misstatement or omission in offering document	Same
No equivalent	Registry may direct a company to amend an untrue or misleading statement in a prospectus by which securities are offered to the public (unless private placement exemption applies)
Filing of offering document optional	Prospectus by which securities are offered to the public must be filed (unless private placement exemption applies)

Capital maintenance

2006 Act Company	1931 Act Company
Distribution of share capital permitted provided a solvency test is satisfied	Reduction of share capital not permitted without specified shareholder and Court approval
Company may purchase or redeem its own shares subject to the solvency test and shareholder approval in certain cases	Purchase by a company of its own shares is permitted subject to shareholder approval and in some cases solvency and auditor requirements
Shares may be redeemed from any account provided the company passes the solvency test	Reserves from which redeemable shares may be redeemed are restricted
No equivalent prohibition (subject to the solvency test)	Financial assistance for the acquisition of its own shares by a public company prohibited
No equivalent restriction (subject to the solvency test)	Financial assistance for the acquisition of its own shares by a private company not permitted if it reduces share capital or share premium
No restriction on share capital being reduced provided the company satisfies the solvency test	Reduction of ordinary share capital and share premium account only with specified shareholder and Court approval
Company may make any distribution to members it wishes (subject to the solvency test)	No equivalent; common law capital maintenance rules apply
Wide statutory definition of “distribution”	No equivalent
Directors may be liable for distribution made when company did not satisfy the solvency test	Directors may be liable for dividend made when company did not have distributable profits
Solvency test is (i) able to pay debts in the normal course of business and (ii) value of assets exceeds liabilities	Concept of “solvency test” not applicable

Members

2006 Act Company	1931 Act Company
Must have at least one member	Same for private company (but a PLC must have at least two members)
Must keep register of members	Same
No notice of any trust may be entered on the register of members	Same
The directors may rectify the register of members if satisfied inaccurate, or rectification by the Court available if necessary	Rectification by the Court available if necessary to rectify the register of members
Members’ remedies are provided by statute e.g. derivative actions, conduct that is oppressive or unfairly prejudicial	Members’ remedies are largely a matter of common law (e.g. exceptions to the rule in Foss v Harbottle) with a statutory remedy for oppression
Company may elect to file register of members; annual return does not contain details of members	No requirement to file register of members but annual return must contain identity of members and shareholding
No equivalent	Statement that company has only one member must be entered in register of members
No equivalent	Index of members required in certain circumstances
Register of members open to inspection by a member, the IoMFSA and the Attorney General	Register of members open to public inspection
Register of members prima facie evidence of title to shares	Same

Meetings and resolutions of members

2006 Act Company	1931 Act Company
Shareholders exercise powers by resolution of simple (50%) majority unless the articles specify a higher majority (this applies to matters such as amending the articles and winding up)	Special or extraordinary resolution requiring 75% majority required in certain cases (e.g. amending the articles, winding up)
14 days notice required for shareholder meetings, which may be waived by 90% or smaller percentage stated in articles	14 or 21 days notice required. Table A permits 95% of shareholders to consent to short notice
No equivalent	Notice of general meeting must be given to auditor (if any)
Resolutions not required to be filed unless altering memorandum or articles	Special, extraordinary and certain other resolutions must be filed
10% of members may require directors to convene meeting	Same
Requisitionists do not have statutory power to convene meeting in default of directors doing so	Requisitionists have statutory power to convene meeting in default of directors doing so
Telephone or electronic meetings permitted by statute	No equivalent but can be permitted by the articles
Written resolutions permitted by statute	Same, and it is also possible for the articles to permit written resolutions
Articles may specify the percentage of voting rights required to pass written resolution	Written resolutions using the statutory procedure must be passed by all members entitled to vote on the matter
No equivalent in relation to the statutory procedure	Written resolution using the statutory procedure must be given to the auditor who may refer it to general meeting (the procedure in the articles need not require this)
No requirement for AGM	AGM must be held; except that the members of a private company (not being a charity) may unanimously elect to dispense with AGMs
No equivalent	Any member may rescind or suspend such election
Court may order calling of general meeting if otherwise impracticable to do so	Same
Member has no statutory right to inspect minutes of general meetings and written resolutions	Member may inspect minutes of general meetings and written resolutions

Minority protection

2006 Act Company	1931 Act Company
Remedy available in the event of oppression or unfair prejudice	Remedy available in the event of oppression or disregard of member’s proper interests as such

Registered office and registered agent

2006 Act Company	1931 Act Company
Must have registered office in the Isle of Man	Same
Must have a registered agent in the Isle of Man which must be licensed by IoMFSA	No equivalent requirement
Registered agent must give at least eight weeks notice of resignation	No equivalent requirement

Accounts and accounting records

2006 Act Company	1931 Act Company
Company must keep accounting records and other documents at office of registered agent or send copies every 12 months	No equivalent requirement
Company must keep reliable accounting records	Same, with certain prescribed requirements
Not required to prepare financial statements, but a member or director may demand that they be prepared	Required to prepare financial statements
Member may inspect accounting records if company fails to comply with demand that financial statements be prepared	Member not generally entitled to inspect accounting records
IoMFSA and Attorney General entitled to inspect documents and records	No equivalent
Not required to have financial statements audited unless securities listed	Required to have financial statements audited unless exemption applies
If financial statements audited, auditor must have the statutory qualifications	Auditor must have the statutory qualifications
If financial statements prepared must give a true and fair view and be in accordance with UK or US GAAP or IFRS	Financial statements must give a true and fair view, must be in accordance with UK or US GAAP or IFRS and contain prescribed details of loans to and remuneration of directors
No equivalent (but restrictions may apply to companies regulated by the IoMFSA or IPA)	Restrictions on limitation of liability of auditors

Annual return

2006 Act Company	1931 Act Company
Must make annual return to the Registry of identity of registered agent, registered office and directors	Must make annual return to the Registry of share capital, secured debt, registered office, directors and members (with financial statements in the case of a PLC)

Directors and officers

2006 Act Company	1931 Act Company
One director may execute a deed for the company	Two directors or director and company secretary required to execute a deed
No requirement for company secretary	Company secretary required, who must have a prescribed qualification in the case of a PLC
Must have at least one director	Must have at least two directors
Director may be a body corporate provided licensed as a corporate services provider	Corporate director not permitted
Register of directors must be kept	Same
Register of directors open to inspection by members, IoMFSA and Attorney General but not by the public	Register of directors open to inspection by the public
No equivalent	Company must state names of directors in all official documents
Directors must disclose interests in transactions	Same
Company may indemnify director who acts honestly, in good faith and in what he believed was in the best interests of the company	Company may indemnify director but not for negligence, default, breach of trust or breach of duty
Company may buy D&O cover	Same
Company must file particulars of directors with Registry	Same
Director includes “shadow director” for certain purposes	Same
Director may be removed by the directors (if articles permit), by resolution (50%) in general meeting or written resolution by 75% of shareholders	By statute a special (75%) resolution is required to remove a director, but the articles often allow removal by ordinary (50%) resolution
No equivalent	Director entitled to be heard in general meeting on resolution to remove him using the statutory power
No equivalent	Directors must disclose their audited remuneration over the past three years if required by 25% of members
No equivalent	Contract between company and sole member who is also a director must be recorded in writing or the directors minutes
No equivalent	Assignment of office by director must be permitted by the articles and approved by special resolution
Must keep minutes of meetings of directors and members	Same
Must inform registered agent where minutes of directors meetings are kept (if not kept by registered agent)	No equivalent

Protected cell companies

2006 Act Company	1931 Act Company
Protected cell company limited by shares permitted	Same
Existing company limited by shares may convert to PCC	Same
May reduce share capital subject to the solvency test	May reduce share capital with Court approval
No equivalent	Restrictions on transfer of cell assets (other than in the ordinary course of business) without a “cell transfer order” by the Court
Same	PCC must inform counterparty to a transaction that it is dealing with a PCC and of the identity of the relevant cell
Failure to so inform counterparty is an offence by the PCC (and by any director who consented or was negligent in relation thereto)	Failure to so inform counterparty results in personal liability for directors for that transaction, unless excused by the Court
No equivalent	Cell cannot (without written consent of all members of that cell) grant security in respect liabilities

Charges/security

2006 Act Company	1931 Act Company
Company may but is not obliged to file security interests with Registry	Company must file specified charges with Registry
Non-filing of a security interest means it will be void as against a liquidator/creditor of the company	Same, except that the charges which will be void as against a liquidator/creditor are of a narrower class than “security interests”
Registry may file a security interest late provided winding up has not commenced	Application to Court required to file a charge late
Company must keep a register of security interests, with a copy at the registered agent’s office	Company must keep a register of charges

Conversion

2006 Act Company	1931 Act Company
1931 Act Company may convert to a 2006 Act company with shareholder consent	2006 Act Company may convert to a 1931 Act company with shareholder consent and certain other requirements

Statutory merger

2006 Act Company	1931 Act Company
Statutory schemes of merger and consolidation permitted	No equivalent

Schemes of arrangement and takeovers

2006 Act Company	1931 Act Company
Schemes of arrangement permitted with Court approval	Same
Scheme approved by 75% of members/creditors (and classes thereof) and sanctioned by the Court is binding on all	Same
Scheme must be filed with Registry within seven days of Court approval	Scheme not obliged to be filed with Registry, but Court approval has no effect until filed
A purchaser which has acquired at least 90% of shares may compulsorily acquire the shares of the dissenting minority	Same
Takeover Code statutorily applied	Same

Redomiciliation

2006 Act Company	1931 Act Company
Foreign company may continue as a 2006 Act Company with Registry approval	Foreign company may continue as 1931 Act Company with Registry approval
Company may redomicile out of the Isle of Man with Registry approval	Company may redomicile out of the Isle of Man with Registry approval
No equivalent provisions	Redomicile of insurance company is possible under the Insurance Act 2008
Statutory declaration by registered agent (continuation) or directors (discontinuation) required	Advocate’s certificate required
Registry approval is administrative and takes about two days (depending on workload)	Registry approval is discretionary and in a complicated case may take longer

Liquidation and strike off

2006 Act Company	1931 Act Company
The 1931 Act applies in relation to liquidation	Same
Company may be struck off the register by Registry in certain circumstances	Same
Registry may strike defaulting company off register; company is then substantially disabled and will be dissolved after 6 years, but can be restored on application within 12 years	Registry can strike off inactive company which is then dissolved, but can be restored on application within 12 years
Company that has ceased to operate and has discharged all its debts and liabilities can apply for administrative dissolution	Same (except for public company)

Inspector

2006 Act Company	1931 Act Company
Any member may apply to Court for the appointment of an inspector to investigate the affairs of the company	Members holding 33% (of a bank) or 10% (others) of issued shares or Registry may apply to Court for the appointment of an inspector
No equivalent	Members may by special resolution appoint an inspector to investigate the affairs of the company

Regulatory and capital markets

2006 Act Company	1931 Act Company
IoMFSA licensing policy 1 March 2023 states that the IoMFSA will not normally grant a class 1(1) deposit taking licence to a 2006 Act Company unless in exceptional circumstances	Not applicable
The IoMFSA may grant other licences to a 2006 Act Company subject to the company adopting certain 1931 Act requirements	Not applicable
Have been listed on AIM, NYSE and on other markets	Listed on LSE main market, AIM and on other markets
Pursuant to IoMFSA guidance note, may be an international collective investment scheme if certain 1931 Act characteristics adopted	No equivalent IoMFSA guidance note
The IoMFSA Insurers Authorisation Guidance states that it will authorise 2006 Act companies subject to the company adopting certain 1931 Act requirements	Not applicable

Registry filings

2006 Act Company	1931 Act Company
Memorandum and articles of association and changes to each	Same
Filing of offering document optional	Prospectus by which securities are offered to the public must be filed
No equivalent	Return of allotments of shares must be filed except by an open ended investment company
No equivalent	Notice of consolidation, division or cancellation of shares, or redemption of preference shares, must be filed except by an open ended investment company
No equivalent	Notice of increase in authorised share capital must be filed
No equivalent	Court order reducing share capital must be filed
No equivalent	Register of debentures open to inspection by debentureholder
Registration of security interests optional (see above)	Specified charges must be registered
Order for appointment of receiver of the property of the company must be filed	Order for appointment of receiver or manager of the property of the company must be filed
Annual return required of registered agent, registered office and directors	Annual return required of share capital, secured debt, registered office, directors and members (with financial statements in the case of a PLC)
Resolutions amending the memorandum or articles must be filed	Special, extraordinary and certain other resolutions must be filed
Register of directors may be filed	Register of directors must be filed
Register of members may be filed	No equivalent
Registered office must be filed	Same
Registered agent must be filed	No equivalent
Certain documents in relation to statutory procedures such as merger, consolidation, redomiciliation etc	Similar
No equivalent	Various filings in relation to share buy-backs

Functions of registered agent (2006 Act Company only)

Making application for incorporation

Reserving a name

Filing an offering document which the company elects to file

Receiving and registering stock transfer forms unless another person has been appointed

Give not less than eight weeks notice if it wishes to resign as such

May file notice of change of registered office or registered agent

Keep the constitutional documents, registers and accounting records of the company at its office (or copies of those documents)

Either keep the directors’ and members’ minutes and resolutions, or be notified where they are kept

Service of documents on the company may be effected by being sent to the registered agent

Keep an imprint of the common seal (if any)

Filing annual return

Filing notice of release of a charge

Applying to re-register a 1931 Act Company as a 2006 Act Company

Filing a scheme of merger or consolidation and making it available for inspection

Applying for consent to a foreign company being continued in the Isle of Man

Applying for consent to a 2006 Act Company being discontinued in the Isle of Man

Service of proceedings on a discontinued company or a director may be effected on the registered agent

Miscellaneous

2006 Act Company	1931 Act Company
Registrar may issue certificate of good standing	No power to issue certificate of good standing but the Registry will issue a certificate confirming the details held on the register
Definition of group similar	Definition of group similar
No equivalent	Insurance company to prepare and post an annual statement in prescribed form

Registry fees

Registry fees for 2006 Act Company generally the same as for 1931 Act Company

Isle of Man tax

2006 Act Company	1931 Act Company
Provided the company does not derive income from a banking business or land in the Isle of Man, it is currently taxed at 0%	Same
The profits of the company may be attributed to and taxed on Isle of Man residents	Same

The above material is of a general nature only. It does not constitute legal advice nor does the distribution or receipt of this material create a client-advocate relationship. Readers should seek specific advice in relation to any decision or course of action.

Copyright of the above material belongs to Simcocks Advocates Limited and it must not be copied or reproduced in any form without its consent.

This comparison has been prepared by Kevin O’Loughlin, Advocate, who practises in company law, trust law, funds and pension law. Kevin is based in Simcocks’ Corporate and Commercial department, which is led by Irini Newby. If you would like to discuss this document or any other related matter please telephone 01624 690300 or email inewby@simcocks.com or koloughlin@simcocks.com.