Registers

The Public Register administered by the Bermuda Registrar of Companies (RoC) is the statutory registry system (delivered via the Catalyst platform) that records, maintains, and makes available the legal status, ownership, governance, and statutory filings for all corporate and commercial bodies in Bermuda.

Key Regulatory Categories

Entities on the register are broadly classified by their scope of operation:

1. Local Entities: Formed to carry on business within the domestic Bermuda economy, typically subject to Bermudian ownership and control requirements (e.g., the 60/40 rule) unless operating under a Section 114B licence.
2. Exempted Entities: Established in Bermuda primarily to conduct international business outside Bermuda (or licensed under Section 129A to conduct approved local activities).
3. Overseas (Permit) Entities: Bodies incorporated or formed in a foreign jurisdiction that hold a permit (such as a Section 134 permit) to carry on business in or from Bermuda.

Entity Types on the Register

1. Companies (Governed by the Companies Act 1981)

1. Companies Limited by Shares: The most common corporate structure where shareholder liability is limited to any unpaid amount on their shares (available as Local or Exempted).
2. Segregated Accounts Companies (SACs) & Incorporated Segregated Accounts Companies (ISACs): Specialized corporate vehicles allowing statutory ring-fencing and separation of assets and liabilities between individual accounts or cells.
3. Companies Limited by Guarantee: Entities where member liability is limited to an agreed amount guaranteed upon winding up, commonly used for non-profits, associations, or mutual structures.
4. Mutual Companies Limited by Guarantee: Specialist guarantee structures maintaining a statutory reserve fund (often used in mutual insurance).
5. Unlimited Liability Companies: Companies where members have unlimited liability for the company's obligations.
6. Overseas / Permit Companies: Foreign companies authorized to operate in Bermuda.
7. Private Act Companies (PACs): Entities incorporated by specific Acts of the Bermuda Legislature.

2. Limited Liability Companies (Governed by the LLC Act 2016)

1. Local LLCs & Exempted LLCs: Hybrid legal entities combining corporate limited liability with partnership-style operational and tax flexibility governed by an LLC Agreement.

3. Partnerships (Governed by the Partnership Act 1902 & Partnership Acts)

1. Exempted Limited Partnerships (ELPs): Partnerships formed between general and limited partners to carry on international business.
2. Exempted General Partnerships: Partnerships with international partners registered under the Exempted Partnerships Act.
3. Overseas (Permit) Partnerships: Foreign partnerships authorized to operate in or from Bermuda.

Connected Specialist Registers

In addition to general company information, the registry maintains integrated statutory registers:

1. Beneficial Ownership Register: Centralized records of ultimate beneficial owners holding 25%+ control/ownership.
2. Register of Charges: Publicly recorded mortgages and legal charges created over entity assets.
3. Insolvency & Dissolution Register: Records for liquidations (MVL, CVL, Compulsory) and strike-offs.