This paper comparatively examines the registration and disclosure requirements of the ownership of legal entities (such as companies) and arrangements (such as trusts) across 133 jurisdictions, including all OECD and EU member states as of April 2020. Beneficial ownership transparency is widely considered to be a key policy for tackling illicit financial flows that encompass cross-border financial transactions for money laundering, tax evasion, corruption and the financing of terrorism. By identifying, registering and disclosing the identities of natural persons who ultimately own or control legal vehicles, the abuse of corporate secrecy can be prevented. Yet, for the verification of beneficial ownership data in cross-border settings, and for successfully tackling investment and hedge fund opacity, it is increasingly acknowledged that beneficial ownership information alone is not enough. Rather, registration of all legal owners is a prerequisite for the integrity of ownership data. Furthermore, ownership registration is arguably a crucial prerequisite for a straightforward functioning of the automatic exchange of information under the Common Reporting Standard, especially for Ultra High Net Worth Individuals. This paper provides the most comprehensive and in-depth analysis of the current state of play of both legal and beneficial ownership registration across the planet.

This report examines the use of these entities in nearly all cases of corruption. It builds upon case law, interviews with investigators, corporate registries and financial institutions and a 'mystery shopping' exercise to provide evidence of this criminal practice.

The Model Rules of Professional Conduct provides an up-to-date resource for information on legal ethics. Federal, state and local courts in all jurisdictions look to the Rules for guidance in solving lawyer malpractice cases, disciplinary actions, disqualification issues, sanctions questions and much more. In this volume, black-letter Rules of Professional Conduct are followed by numbered Comments that explain each Rule's purpose and provide suggestions for its practical application. The Rules will help you identify proper conduct in a variety of given situations, review those instances where discretionary action is possible, and define the nature of the relationship between you and your clients, colleagues and the courts.

This Report was prepared by the Committee on Fiscal Affairs to consider ways to improve international co-operation with respect to the exchange of information in the possession of banks and other financial institutions for tax purposes.

This publication identifies the main areas of weakness and potential areas for action to combat money-laundering, tax evasion, foreign bribery, and to identify, freeze and return stolen assets.

In 2016, the G20 called on the FATF and the Global Forum to propose ways to improve the implementation of the international standards on transparency, including on the availability of beneficial ownership information, and its international exchange. The Global Forum developed a framework of proposed actions to answer that call, including a plan to facilitate effective implementation through examples of good implementation and technical assistance. This toolkit is in furtherance of the Global Forum’s commitment to support countries’ effective implementation. It is intended to help jurisdictions to develop an understanding of the beneficial ownership concepts contained in the international standards of transparency and exchange of information, and for use in conjunction with technical assistance seminars. It will support policy and implementation discussions in conjunction with capacity building workshops and technical assistance activities carried out by the Global Forum Secretariat as well as other supporting international organizations.