What is a RAK ICC Segregated Portfolio Company?
A Segregated Portfolio Company (SPC) is a company limited by shares. The SPC may create up to ten segregated portfolios for the purpose of segregating the assets and liabilities of the company, held within or on behalf of a segregated portfolio from other assets and liabilities of the company. Segregated portfolios can be incorporated provided the Registrar is satisfied that the directors of the company have the knowledge and expertise necessary for the proper management of segregated portfolios.
A Segregated Portfolio Company (or SPC) is sometimes referred to as a protected cell company. Segregated Portfolio assets comprise assets representing share capital, retained earnings, capital reserves, share premiums and all other assets attributable to or held within the Segregated Portfolio.
Advantages
- 100% Foreign ownership
- Complete repatriation of profits and capital
- Open bank accounts locally and internationally
- Establish subsidiary with Free Zone and avail double taxation treaty benefits
Features
A RAK ICC segregated portfolio company has the following features:
- Separate legal personality: It is a legal person separate from its shareholders.
- Limited liability of shareholders: The liability of each of its shareholders is limited to the amount of share capital that it has agreed to pay to the company.
- Up to ten segregated portfolios: It can create up to ten segregated portfolios. The assets held in each such segregated portfolios are ring-fenced from the general liabilities of the company or of other segregated portfolios. Each portfolio may, but does not have to, issue shares.
- Independently maintained register of members: The Registrar maintains its register of members which is the definitive statement of the shareholders of the company and, if relevant, its portfolios; there is no maximum number of shareholders.
- Flexible approach to Memorandum and Articles: Although a template Memorandum and Articles of Association has been provided by RAK ICC, this form need not be followed. For example, a RAK ICC segregated shares portfolio company may have more than one class of shares with their different rights set out in the Memorandum and Articles of Association.
- Privacy: As a general rule, the records maintained by the Registrar may only be inspected by its directors, shareholders or the registered agent.
- Restrictions on purpose: Unless they elect otherwise in their Memorandum and Articles, RAK ICC companies have unlimited corporate capacity except that as a general rule they may not carry on business within the United Arab Emirates or carry on financial services businesses.
- High anti-money laundering standards: Registered agents are obliged to comply with relevant provisions of the UAEâs anti-money laundering rules. The extent of these obligations is clarified in a Registrarâs Guide.
- Directors: It may have corporate directors, so long as at least one director is a natural person.
- Registered agent: It needs to have, at all times, a registered agent. A company secretary may be appointed, but this is not required and is not a function that is recognised by the Business Companies Regulations.
Separation of liability
Only the assets of each Segregated Portfolio are available to meet liabilities to creditors in respect of that Segregated Portfolio; where there are liabilities arising from a matter attributable to a particular Segregated Portfolio, the creditor may only have recourse to the assets attributable to that Segregated Portfolio. Under the laws of some jurisdictions, where the assets of a Segregated Portfolio are inadequate to meet that portfolioâs obligations then a creditor may have recourse to the general assets of the SPC, but not those assets which belong to a different Segregated Portfolio. An SPC is technically a single legal entity and the Segregated Portfolioâs within the SPC will not be separate legal entities that are separate from the SPC, although for bankruptcy purposes they are treated as such.