Overview
This Act sets the core framework for how key registers are kept in Neves and how entities file information with the Registrar of Companies, the Neves Licensing Authority and other competent bodies. It focuses on clarity of filing requirements, quality of data, public confidence and international expectations for access to reliable information.
Purpose of the Act
The Public Registers & Filing Obligations Act is intended to make Neves’ approach to core registers and filings predictable, transparent and joined-up across company law, licensing and beneficial ownership frameworks.
- Defines key public registers and their scope.
- Sets out who must file what, when and with whom.
- Links filing duties to accuracy, corrections and ongoing updates.
- Connects non-compliance with oversight and enforcement powers under related Acts.
(1) This Act may be cited as the Public Registers & Filing Obligations Act, 2025.
(2) This Act shall come into operation on such date as may be appointed by Order of the Minister responsible for finance and financial services (“the Minister”) and published in the Official Gazette.
In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires—
- “Authority” means the Neves Licensing Authority established under the Neves Licensing Authority Establishment Act, 2025;
- “Board” means the Board of the Neves Licensing Authority;
- “company” has the meaning given in the Registrar of Companies Act, 2025;
- “competent body” means the Authority, the Registrar of Companies, the Neves Financial Services Authority (NFSA), the Neves Gaming Authority (NGA) or any other body designated under sovereign Act to maintain a register or receive filings under this Act;
- “filing” means any document, notice, return or data submitted to a competent body under this Act or another sovereign Act that refers to it;
- “public register” means a register designated as publicly accessible under this Act or another Act;
- “this Act” includes any Rules and Orders made under it.
(1) This Act shall be read together with and in addition to the Neves Licensing Authority Establishment Act, 2025, the Registrar of Companies Act, 2025, the Beneficial Ownership & Transparency Act, 2025, the Registered Agents & Corporate Service Providers Act, 2025, the Licensing & Authorisation Act, 2025, the AML / CFT & Financial Crime Prevention Act, 2025, the Market Conduct & Consumer Protection Act, 2025 and the Complaints, Investigations & Enforcement / Redress Act, 2025.
(2) Where another sovereign Act specifies particular filing or publication duties and refers to this Act, both shall be read harmoniously to give effect to their purposes.
(1) The following may be designated as public registers under this Act—
- the register of companies maintained by the Registrar of Companies;
- lists of license holders maintained by the Authority, NFSA and NGA;
- any other register expressly designated as public by sovereign Act or by Order of the Minister on the recommendation of the Authority.
(2) A public register may be made accessible in electronic form, subject to appropriate safeguards.
(1) The core content of each public register shall be specified by the relevant Act or by Rules or Orders made under this Act.
(2) Content may include names, reference numbers, status, key dates and such other fields as are necessary to support transparency and user understanding.
(1) Public registers may be accessed by the public subject to any conditions, search tools or access channels specified by the competent body.
(2) Fees may be charged for certain searches or extracts where permitted by sovereign Act or Rules.
(1) Companies, licensees and other entities covered by this Act shall file such documents and information as are required under this Act, related Acts or applicable Rules and Orders.
(2) Filings shall be made to the competent body specified in the relevant Act, Rule or Order.
(1) Without limiting the Registrar of Companies Act, 2025, companies shall file—
- incorporation and constitution documents;
- changes of name, registered office and Registered Agent;
- annual returns and any other periodic updates specified by the Registrar of Companies; and
- notices of key changes such as directors, share capital and status.
(1) Licensees overseen by the Authority, NFSA or NGA shall make filings required under the Licensing & Authorisation Act, 2025, the Supervisory Oversight & Risk-Based Supervision Act, 2025, the AML / CFT & Financial Crime Prevention Act, 2025, the Market Conduct & Consumer Protection Act, 2025 and any Rules made under them.
(2) Filings may include license applications, periodic returns, notifications of material changes and other information necessary for effective oversight.
(1) Registered Agents and Corporate Service Providers shall file such information as may be required under the Registered Agents & Corporate Service Providers Act, 2025, the Beneficial Ownership & Transparency Act, 2025 and this Act.
(2) Filings may include information on entities under administration, updated contact details and other data to support accurate registers.
(1) Competent bodies may operate secure electronic systems for the submission, storage and retrieval of filings and register entries.
(2) Entities shall use such systems where required, subject to transitional arrangements set by the competent body.
(1) Competent bodies may specify standard formats, templates or data fields to be used for filings and register entries.
(2) Formats may be updated from time to time to reflect evolutions in systems, international expectations or good practice, with reasonable notice given to users.
(1) Electronic records held in systems operated by competent bodies may be treated as authentic copies for evidential purposes, subject to any limitations specified in sovereign Acts.
(1) Persons making filings under this Act shall take reasonable care to ensure that information provided is accurate and not misleading.
(2) Where estimates or provisional data are used, this shall be clearly indicated where appropriate.
(1) Filings shall be made within the deadlines specified in the relevant Act, Rule or Order.
(2) Where a filing deadline cannot be met for reasons beyond the control of the filer, the competent body may, where permitted by law, grant extensions or accept late filings with or without conditions.
(1) Where a person becomes aware that a filing or register entry is materially inaccurate or incomplete, they shall notify the competent body and submit corrected or additional information without undue delay.
(2) Competent bodies may specify processes and documentation required for corrections.
(1) Compliance with this Act shall be overseen by the Authority, the Registrar of Companies and other competent bodies within their respective remits.
(2) Oversight may be supported by the Supervisory Oversight & Risk-Based Supervision Act, 2025 and the Investigations & Information-Gathering Powers Act, 2025.
(1) Entities covered by this Act shall cooperate with reasonable requests by competent bodies relating to filing duties and register entries, including provision of supporting documents and explanations.
(1) Where there is serious or repeated failure to comply with filing duties or to ensure accuracy of register entries, competent bodies may consider measures under the Enforcement & Administrative Sanctions Act, 2025 and other related Acts.
(2) Measures may include warnings, conditions, administrative penalties, or recommendations regarding license status or, in the case of companies, consequences under the Registrar of Companies Act, 2025.
(1) The Authority, the Registrar of Companies and other competent bodies may set transitional periods for the migration of existing filings and records to systems and formats adopted under this Act.
(2) During such periods, reasonable steps shall be taken to avoid disruption to users while moving to updated processes.
(1) The Minister may, on the recommendation of the Authority and, where relevant, the Registrar of Companies, make Rules or Orders for the better carrying out of the purposes of this Act, including but not limited to—
- specifying categories of public registers and their content;
- setting forms, formats and deadlines for filings;
- determining fee structures for searches and extracts; and
- establishing transitional timetables for new systems and requirements.
Nothing in this Act shall limit any powers or obligations arising under the Neves Licensing Authority Establishment Act, 2025, the Registrar of Companies Act, 2025, the Beneficial Ownership & Transparency Act, 2025, the Registered Agents & Corporate Service Providers Act, 2025, the Licensing & Authorisation Act, 2025, the AML / CFT & Financial Crime Prevention Act, 2025, the Market Conduct & Consumer Protection Act, 2025, the Complaints, Investigations & Enforcement / Redress Act, 2025, the Supervisory Oversight & Risk-Based Supervision Act, 2025, the Enforcement & Administrative Sanctions Act, 2025, the NFSA Act, the NGA Act or any other sovereign Act overseen by the Neves Licensing Authority.
This Act shall bind the State.
Neves Licensing Authority
Neves Licensing Authority
