Jersey consults on letting people with a legitimate interest see beneficial ownership data
Jersey's Government consulted from 31 October 2025 to 30 January 2026 on giving people with a legitimate interest in fighting money laundering access to its central register of beneficial ownership. Applicants would have to show the information is directly relevant and access proportionate. Beneficial owners could see who looked at their data, and minors would be protected.
The Government of Jersey published a green paper on access to beneficial ownership information by people with a legitimate interest, open from 31 October 2025 to 30 January 2026.
What was proposed
- Access for natural persons who can show a legitimate interest in preventing, detecting or investigating money laundering, terrorist financing or proliferation financing.
- Applicants would need to show the information is directly relevant and that access is proportionate. A legitimate purpose alone would not be enough.
- Records of all applications, granted and refused. Beneficial owners could find out who accessed their information. Applicants could ask for their name to be withheld if there is a credible risk of harm.
- The paper named journalism, civil society and academic research, and digital KYC providers serving obliged entities as groups that might qualify, case by case.
- Disclosure would be limited to name, month and year of birth, country of residence, nationality and the nature of the interest. No bulk downloads.
- Exemptions for minors and owners of Jersey share transfer property.
- The Government was wary of giving journalists and civil society uncontrolled access, as Jersey has no legal definition of either group.
Who is affected
Jersey entities and their beneficial owners, and investigators, journalists and others seeking ownership information.
Status
The consultation closed on 30 January 2026. As of March 2026, published feedback was still awaited. Guernsey and the Isle of Man ran similar consultations in 2026.