Unlawful Financial Assistance

Unlawful financial assistance

Unlawful financial assistance under Gibraltar law remains a key compliance risk that company directors and shareholders and professional advisers must address particularly in transactions involving the acquisition of shares or restructuring corporate funding.

What Is Unlawful Financial Assistance?

Unlawful financial assistance involves a company improperly providing support such as loans guarantees or security for the purpose of purchasing its own shares or those of its holding company in breach of the Gibraltar Companies Act 2014. While Gibraltar law permits certain forms of financial assistance these are subject to strict statutory controls and limitations to prevent abuse and safeguard company assets. Typically a private company may only give financial assistance if its net assets are not thereby reduced or if the assistance is provided out of distributable profits via “whitewash” procedures where directors’ declarations and shareholder approvals can render assistance lawful under defined circumstances. Failing to comply with these rules can expose directors and companies to regulatory penalties and derivative actions from shareholders.

Practical Implications and Risks

Directors may face personal liability disqualification or prosecution for engaging in prohibited financial assistance or failing to comply with required procedures.
Unlawful financial assistance arrangements can be challenged by creditors or shareholders leading to unfair prejudice claims or court actions.
For regulated entities violations can result in severe reputational and operational consequences especially in sensitive financial sectors like banking funds and insurance.

How Hassans Can Assist

Hassans is experienced in Gibraltar corporate and financial regulation and can provide decisive guidance across critical touchpoints:

• Advising on permissible forms of financial assistance document drafting and compliance with the Companies Act 2014
• Conducting “whitewash” processes including director statutory declarations and shareholder approvals to make assistance lawful
• Assessing financial assistance risks as part of due diligence for mergers acquisitions or corporate restructurings
• Defending directors against allegations of unlawful financial assistance or unfair prejudice and supporting clients in shareholder disputes
• Training boards and company secretaries about financial assistance duties liabilities and best practices for compliance governance

Navigating the rules on financial assistance under Gibraltar law demands precise legal advice technical expertise and practical experience in acting for companies directors and shareholders. Hassans’ mix of advisory documentation and resolution services positions us as a trusted partner for clients seeking clarity and compliance in a complex legal area. 

For tailored advice strategic support and effective compliance solutions on Gibraltar company law and unlawful financial assistance contact our me on matthew.torres@hassans.gi and subscribe here to read more from me.