This eLearning course provides an introduction to the UK's Register of Overseas Entities (ROE) regime, established by the Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Act 2022. The regime was introduced to increase transparency over the ownership of land and property in the UK held by overseas entities, and to make it harder for illicit wealth to be hidden behind opaque corporate structures.
The course begins by explaining the background and purpose of the ROE regime and the legal framework that underpins it. It then explores what constitutes an overseas entity for the purposes of the regime and the circumstances in which an overseas entity must register — for example, before buying, selling or leasing qualifying UK property.
A central focus of the training is the identification and verification of beneficial owners. Learners will understand who qualifies as a beneficial owner under the regime, the steps required to identify them, and the verification obligations that must be met before information is submitted to Companies House.
The course also covers the information that must be provided when registering an overseas entity, the ongoing duty to update that information annually, and the consequences of failing to comply, including restrictions on dealings with property and potential criminal sanctions. Upon completion, learners will understand how the ROE regime operates and the obligations it places on overseas entities and those who advise them.
