Private foundation: Jersey: sourced answers
5 answers to specific questions — each with a verbatim quote from an official source and a link to it.
Every answer is checked against a verbatim quote from a stored copy of its source and has passed an independent review. This is reference information, not legal advice: rules change, and the outcome depends on your circumstances.
Foundation and personal foundation: supplement to the legal-form questionnaire
Is a guardian (protector) mandatory for the foundation
guardian mandatory (Art. 13)
«13 Foundation must have a guardian (1) A foundation must have a guardian. (2) The guardian of a foundation – (a) must be appointed in accordance with this Law; and (b) shall have, in respect of the foundation, the functions specified in this Law and in the charter and regulations of the foundation.»
Source: jerseylaw.je · source copy as of 2026-10-02
Legal form in a country
What is the minimum capital (minimum endowment) on formation of the structure
None (Art. 7)
«7 The charter of a foundation – its endowment (1) A foundation need not have an initial endowment. (2) However, if it does have one, the details of the endowment must be specified in its charter. (3) If, after the incorporation of a foundation, the foundation may be further endowed, this must be stated in its charter.»
Source: jerseylaw.je · source copy as of 2026-10-02
Must a licensed professional (trust company, licensed fiduciary) sit on the governing body or administer the structure
Council with a qualified member (registered TCB)
«“qualified person” means – (a) in the case where such a person is to apply to the Registrar for the incorporation of a foundation, a person registered under the Financial Official Consolidated Version Page - 6 12 April 2023 – 26 February 2024 Foundations (Jersey) Law 2009 Article 2 Services (Jersey) Law 1998 to carry on trust company business that permits the provision by the person of the services mentioned in Article 2(4)(a) of that Law; or (b) in the case where such a person is to act as a qualified member, a person registered under the Financial Services (Jersey) Law 1998 to carry on trust company business that permits the provision by the person of the services mentioned in Article 2(4)(d) of that Law;»
Source: jerseylaw.je · source copy as of 2026-10-02
«23 The council of a foundation – qualified member (1) On the incorporation of a foundation the qualified person named under Article 2(4)(a) becomes the qualified member of the council of the foundation. (2) A qualified person subsequently appointed to be the qualified member of the council of the foundation must notify the registrar of his or her – (a) appointment; and (b) business address in Jersey. (3) Notification must be given in a form and manner published by the registrar. (4) Unless another method of payment is agreed the notification must be accompanied by the published fee. (5) The appointment of a qualified person to be the qualified member of the council of a foundation takes effect when the registrar enters a note of the name and business address of the qualified person in the register and dates the entry. (6) Although the council of a foundation may include more than one qualified person it may not have more than one qualified member at any one time. …»
Source: jerseylaw.je · source copy as of 2026-10-02
Which statute (act) establishes the legal form
Foundations (Jersey) Law 2009, from 17 July 2009
«Foundations (Jersey) Law 2009 L.23/2009 17 July 2009 P.143/2008»
Source: jerseylaw.je · source copy as of 2026-10-02
«FOUNDATIONS (JERSEY) LAW 2009 A LAW to provide for the incorporation of foundations and for related purposes. Commencement [see endnotes] PART 1 PRELIMINARY»
Source: jerseylaw.je · source copy as of 2026-10-02
Is the structure's beneficial ownership information filed with a central register (registrar, regulator)
UBO data with the JFSC
«4 Information to be provided to Commission (1) An application to the Commission to register or establish an entity under relevant entity legislation must include the following information – (a) the proposed entity’s beneficial owner information; (b) the proposed entity’s significant person information; (c) if the proposed entity intends to issue shares in the entity to a person (the “proposed nominee”) nominated by another person (the “proposed nominator”) to act as a shareholder for the proposed nominator – (i) the identity of the proposed nominee, and (ii) the identity of their proposed nominator, unless the proposed nominee is registered by the Commission under the Financial Services (Jersey) Law 1998; and (d) any other prescribed information. (2) Paragraph (3) applies if an entity becomes aware of a change occurring, or an error or inaccuracy, in the following – (a) the entity’s significant person information; (b) the entity’s beneficial owner information, unless the entity is listed on a regulated market; (c) any other prescribed information. …»
Source: jerseylaw.je · source copy as of 2026-10-03
«8 Commission to maintain register (1) For the purpose of this Law, the Commission must maintain a register in such form as the Commission thinks appropriate. (2) The Commission is to enter and keep in the register particulars of such of the following as is notified to the Commission by an entity – Official Consolidated Version Page - 9 21 February 2025 – 31 May 2026 Financial Services (Disclosure and Provision of Information) (Jersey) Law 2020 Article 8A (a) the entity’s beneficial owner information and significant person information; (b) the information contained in the entity’s annual confirmation statement; and (c) such other particulars as are specified by Regulations. (3) The Commission may require an entity to authenticate any information or document provided to the Commission under this Law in any manner reasonably determined by the Commission. (4) Any functions of the Commission under this Law, may, to the extent authorised by the Commission, be exercised by the registrar or an officer of the Commission.»
Source: jerseylaw.je · source copy as of 2026-10-03
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