Beneficial ownership
The natural person who ultimately owns or controls a legal entity. EU public access to UBO registers was restricted by the 2022 CJEU Sovim ruling.
Beneficial ownership disclosure regimes vary by jurisdiction. EU member states post-Sovim (CJEU Joined Cases C-37/20 and C-601/20, 22 November 2022) restrict public access; legitimate-interest filters now apply under the post-2024 AML package. UK Companies House Persons with Significant Control register remains publicly searchable. Cayman Islands operates a Beneficial Ownership Transparency Act 2023 (in force July 2024) with Legitimate Interest Access Regulations 2024 (in force February 2025), restricting access to defined applicants.