Directions issued to financial services businesses
Issued: 1 January 2011
Last revised: 19 February 2026
Money Laundering and Weapons Development (Directions) (Iran) (Jersey) Order 2015
On 13 January 2012, the Money Laundering and Weapons Development (Directions) (Jersey) Law 2012 (MLWD Law) came into force. The MLWD Law provides the island with additional safeguards against money laundering, terrorist financing and the development or production of weapons, by introducing powers similar to those in Schedule 7 of the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008 (UK legislation).
Under the MLWD Law, the Minister for External Relations has the power to give a direction to a person carrying on a financial services business in or from within Jersey, or to any legal person that is established under Jersey law that is carrying on financial services business in any part of the world (referred to as a relevant person).
Directions can be given:
generally, by Order, to all relevant persons
to a specific category of relevant persons
to a particular relevant person who must comply with the terms of the direction
A direction may be given if one or more of the following conditions are met in relation to a country or territory outside Jersey:
the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) advises that there is a risk of money laundering in a country or territory
the Minister reasonably believes that:
there is a risk that there is money laundering in a country or territory, by the government of a country or territory, or by persons resident, or incorporated in a country or territory, and that this poses a significant risk to Jersey
the development or production of certain weapons in a country or territory, or their means of delivery, or anything that facilitates such development or production, poses a significant risk to Jersey
In relation to transactions or business relationships with the government of, or a person connected to, a particular country or territory, a direction can require a relevant person to:
undertake enhanced due diligence measures or specific measures
provide information and documents
limit or cease a business relationship
Failure to comply with a direction is a criminal offence.
No offense is committed if the relevant person can show that they exercised all reasonable steps and due diligence to comply with the direction. This includes following any applicable guidance or code of practice.
