Auditors Oversight Act

PUBLISHING DETAILS Law 23 of 2011 consolidated with Laws 28 of 2016 and 21 of 2019. Revised under the authority of the Law Revision Law (1999 Revision). . Originally enacted — Law 23 of 2011-30th September, 2011 Law 28 of 2016-24th October, 2016 Law 21 of 2019-26th July, 2019. Consolidated and revised this 31st day of December, 2019. Note (not forming part of the Law): This revision replaces the 2017 Revision which should now be discarded. Short title This Law may be cited as the Auditors Oversight Law (2020 Revision). Interpretation (1) In this Law — “admitted to trading on a regulated market” means that all steps required by the relevant regulated market have been taken to allow the transferable securities in question to be traded on that regulated market; “auditor” means — (a) a sole practitioner engaged in public practice from or within the Islands who is the holder of a valid licence issued under section 11 or 12 of the Regulatory Law; (b) a partnership engaged in public practice from or within the Islands where each partner or person holding an equivalent position in such partnership who is engaged in public practice from or within the Islands is the holder of a valid licence issued under section 11 or 12 of the Regulatory Law; or a body corporate engaged in public practice from or within the Islands where each director or person holding an equivalent position in such body corporate who is engaged in public practice from or within the Islands is the holder of a valid licence issued under section 11 or 12 of the Regulatory Law; “Authority” means the Auditors Oversight Authority established under section 3; “Authority specified company” means a company, partnership, unit trust or other entity, whether or not incorporated or established in the Islands, which is not a market traded company or designated company and which falls within the specific type or category of company, partnership, unit trust or other entity specified by the Authority in a notice issued under section 17A; “Board” means the board of directors established under section 6; “Chairperson” means the Chairperson of the Board designated as such under section 6; “cost of oversight” means any fees payable by the recognised auditor to the Authority in relation to the Authority’s oversight, monitoring or registration of recognised auditors, including but not limited to, the annual fees payable under section 22; “Deputy Chairperson” means the Deputy Chairperson of the Board designated as such under section 6; “designated company” means a company, partnership, unit trust or other entity, whether or not incorporated or established in the Islands, which is not a market traded company or an Authority specified company but which falls within a specific type or category of company, partnership, unit trust or other entity specified by Regulations; “director” means a director referred to in section 6; “exempted entity” means any type of company, partnership, unit trust or other entity specified as such by Regulations; “functions” includes powers and duties; “market traded company” means a company, partnership, unit trust or other entity, whether or not incorporated or established in the Islands, some or all of the transferable securities of which are admitted to trading on a regulated market except where that company, partnership, unit trust or other entity is an exempted entity; “overseas auditor oversight body” means a body which, in a country or territory outside the Islands, is designated by law to exercise functions corresponding to — (a) any of the functions of the Authority; or (b) any additional functions that include the conduct of civil and administrative investigations and proceedings to enforce laws, regulations and rules administered by that body; “public practice” shall have the meaning given to that expression in the Regulatory Law; “recognised auditor” means an auditor that is entered on the register; “register” means the register of recognised auditors to be established and maintained under section 18; “regulated market” means — (a) the Cayman Islands Stock Exchange; (b) a market regulated by a member state of the European Union specified by the Authority by notice in the Gazette; or any other market specified by the Authority by notice in the Gazette provided that the jurisdiction in which the market is established imposes requirements with regard to the statutory audit of market traded companies by foreign public accountants; “Regulatory Law” means the Accountants Law (2020 Revision); “Regulations” means regulations made under section 33; “responsible individual” means an individual, designated by a recognised auditor and who is the holder of a valid licence issued under section 11 or 12 of the Regulatory Law, who is responsible for audit work on a recognised auditor’s behalf in relation to market traded companies designated companies or Authority specified companies and who is permitted to sign audit reports for the recognised auditor; “Rules” means the rules and guidance issued by the Authority from time to time under section 29; “Society” means the Cayman Islands Institute of Professional Accountants, formerly known as the Cayman Islands Society of Professional Accountants, established under section 3 of the Regulatory Law; “statutory audit” means an audit of annual accounts or consolidated accounts insofar as required by law; and “transferable securities” means those classes of securities, with the exception of instruments of payment, which are negotiable on the capital markets, such as — (a) shares in companies and other securities equivalent to shares in companies, partnerships or other entities, and depositary receipts in respect of shares; (b) bonds or other forms of debt securities, including depositary receipts in respect of such securities; or any other securities giving the right to acquire or sell any such transferable securities or giving rise to a cash settlement determined by reference to transferable securities, currencies, interest rates or yields, commodities or other indices or measures. (2) For the purposes of this Law a person to whom the Authority has delegated any of its functions under section 16 includes a director, officer, employee, agent or representative of that person. Establishment and functions of Authority (1) There is established an Authority to be called the Auditors Oversight Authority which shall be a body corporate and shall have perpetual succession and a common seal and may sue and be sued in its corporate name. (2) The principal functions of the Authority are — (a) to regulate and supervise auditors who audit the accounts of market traded companies or designated companies: (b) to regulate auditors who audit the accounts of Authority specified companies and have voluntarily registered as a recognised auditor pursuant to section 17A; to make recognised auditors subject to the Authority’s systems of oversight, quality assurance, disciplinary action and investigation; and (d) to enter into arrangements to facilitate mutual assistance to overseas auditor oversight bodies in accordance with this Law. (3) The Authority shall carry on its business under the powers conferred by and in accordance with this Law and the Companies Law (2020 Revision), insofar as the provisions of such law are not in conflict with this Law. (4) The Authority shall exercise its functions and powers in a manner which ensures that it maintains operational independence from recognised auditors. Share capital (1) The authorised share capital of the Authority shall be such sum, not less than one hundred thousand dollars, as may be prescribed. (2) The share capital of the Authority shall be divided into shares of a par value of one dollar each. Powers of Authority (1) In furtherance of the purposes specified in section 3, the Authority shall have the following powers and rights, in addition to and without prejudice to any other powers conferred by this Law or the Companies Law (2020 Revision) — (a) to pay, satisfy or compromise any claims made against the Authority; (b) to consider all questions connected with the business of the Authority and to collect and circulate statistics and other information relating to the business of the Authority; and to make and amend, from time to time, Rules in accordance with section (2) The proprietary rights in respect of the statistics and other information referred to in subsection (1)(b) shall be vested exclusively in the Authority. Board (1) There shall be a board of directors of the Authority which, subject to this Law, shall be responsible for the policy and general administration of the affairs and business of the Authority. (2) The Board shall comprise the following directors — (a) the Managing Director of the Authority as an ex officio director; (b) the Auditor General or that person’s designate; the Financial Secretary or that person’s designate; and (d) not more than three other directors (including the Chairperson and the Deputy Chairperson), who shall be public accountants retired from the practice of their profession for not less than the period of time determined by the Cabinet, and having the qualifications determined by the Cabinet from time to time, one of whom shall also be a person who is not resident in the Cayman Islands during the period of that person’s appointment as a member of the Board, appointed in accordance with sections 7 and 8, each of whom shall be a fit and proper person and shall have demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Cabinet substantial knowledge and experience relevant to the functions of the Authority. (3) The Chairperson and the Deputy Chairperson, respectively, shall be designated by the Cabinet after consultation with the directors appointed in accordance with sections 7 and 8. Directors (1) The directors referred to in section 6(2)(d) shall be appointed by the Cabinet. (2) The directors appointed under subsection (1) — (a) shall not act as delegates on the Board for any commercial, financial, agricultural, industrial or other interests with which they may be connected; (b) shall hold office for a term of three years and shall be eligible for reappointment; and may be paid by the Authority out of the funds of the Authority such remuneration and allowances as may be determined by the Cabinet. (3) If a director appointed under subsection (1) dies, resigns or otherwise vacates that person’s office before the expiry of the term for which that person has been appointed, the Cabinet may appoint another person for the unexpired period of the term of office of the director in whose place that person is appointed. Managing Director (1) The Cabinet shall appoint a fit and proper person to be the Managing Director of the Authority. (2) The Managing Director shall be employed on such terms and conditions of service as the Cabinet may decide. (3) The Managing Director shall be entrusted with the day to day administration of the Authority to the extent of the authority delegated to that person by the Board. (4) The Managing Director shall render that person’s services exclusively to the Authority unless the Board resolves otherwise and shall be answerable to the Board for that person’s acts and decisions. (5) In the event of the Managing Director’s absence, or inability to act, the Cabinet may, after consultation with the Board, appoint a person to discharge the duties of the Managing Director during the period of that person’s absence or inability, except that the Cabinet may delegate such authority to the Board. (6) The Cabinet shall terminate the appointment of the Managing Director, where the Managing Director — (a) becomes of unsound mind or incapable of carrying out that person’s duties; (b) becomes bankrupt, suspends payment to or compounds with that person’s creditors; is convicted in the Islands or in any other jurisdiction of an offence involving dishonesty, fraud or any indictable offence; (d) commits serious misconduct in relation to that person’s duties; (e) is absent, without leave of the Chairperson, from three consecutive meetings of the Board; or (f) fails to comply with that person’s obligations under section 12. Disqualification and termination of appointment (1) A person shall not be appointed as or remain a director who is an elected member of the Legislative Assembly or an official member of the Cabinet. (2) The Cabinet shall terminate the appointment of any director appointed pursuant section 6(2)(d) who — (a) resigns that person’s office; (b) becomes of unsound mind or incapable of carrying out that person’s duties; becomes bankrupt, suspends payment to or compounds with that person’s creditors; (d) is convicted in the Islands or in any other jurisdiction of an offence involving dishonesty, fraud or any indictable offence; (e) commits serious misconduct in relation to that person’s duties; (f) is absent, without leave of the Chairperson, from three consecutive meetings of the Board; or (g) fails to comply with that person’s obligations under section 12. (3) The Cabinet may, in the public interest, terminate the appointment of any director. Meetings

(1) The Chairperson shall summon regular meetings of the Board as often as may be required, but not less frequently than once in three months, and shall summon extraordinary meetings when required to do so in accordance with Rules made under section 29. (2) At a meeting of the Board, the Chairperson or, if that person is not present, the Deputy Chairperson or, if that person is not present, a director chosen by the directors present, shall act as the chairperson of the meeting. (3) At every meeting of the Board, a quorum shall consist of four directors, and decisions shall be adopted by a simple majority of the votes of the directors present and voting except that, in the case of an equality of votes, the chairperson of the meeting shall, in addition, have a casting vote. (4) The Board may act notwithstanding that a vacancy exists among the members or in the office of Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson, and shall have power to — (a) act by committee; and (b) delegate any of its duties and powers from time to time to such committees and to any of their own number and to the officers, servants and agents of the Authority. (5) A delegation under subsection (4)(a) or (b) is revocable at will and does not prevent the exercise by the Board of any duties or powers so delegated. (6) For the purposes of this Law, a director shall be deemed to be present at a meeting of the Board if that person gains access to the meeting by conference telephone or by some other conference facility. Committees

(1) The Board may appoint committees to assist the Board in exercising the Board’s functions under this Law, and shall appoint such persons as it sees fit to be members of the committees. (2) The Managing Director may designate a member of any such committee to act as secretary to the committee performing such duties as the committee may determine. (3) The Board may, by instrument in writing, delegate from time to time to a committee appointed by the Board under subsection (1) such power and duties, other than a licensing or supervisory power or duty, as the Board sees fit. (4) A committee appointed under subsection (3) shall exercise and carry out the powers and duties delegated under that subsection and a decision of the committee shall be deemed to be a decision of the Board. Declaration of interest

(1) If a director or a member of a committee appointed under section 11, has any pecuniary interest, direct or indirect, in any contract, proposed contract, licence or other matter and is present at a meeting of the Board or committee, as the case may be, at which the contract, proposed contract, licence or other matter is the subject of consideration, that person shall, at the meeting and as soon as practicable after its commencement, disclose the fact and shall not take part in the consideration or discussion of the contract, proposed contract, licence or other matter or vote on any question with respect to it, and shall be excluded from the meeting for the duration of the consideration, discussion and voting procedure. (2) A person who fails to comply with subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable — (a) on summary conviction, to a fine of twenty thousand dollars and to imprisonment for a term of two years; or (b) on conviction on indictment to a fine of fifty thousand dollars and to imprisonment for a term of five years, unless that person proves that that person did not know that the contract, proposed contract, licence or other matter in which that person had a pecuniary interest was the subject of consideration at that meeting. (3) A disclosure under subsection (1) shall be recorded in the minutes of the Board or committee, as the case may be. (4) An act or proceeding of the Board or a committee, shall not be questioned on the ground that a director of the Board or a member of a committee has contravened this section. Pecuniary interest

(1) For the purposes of section 12, a director, or a member of a committee appointed under section 11 shall be treated, subject to subsections (4) and (5), as having indirectly a pecuniary interest in a contract, proposed contract, licence or other matter if — (a) he, or any nominee of his, is a member of a company or other body with which the contract was made or is proposed to be made or which has a direct pecuniary interest in the licence or other matter under consideration; (b) he is a partner, or is in the employment of a person with whom the contract was made or is proposed to be made, or who has a direct pecuniary interest in the licence or other matter under consideration; or he or any partner of that person is a professional adviser to a person who has a direct or indirect pecuniary interest in a contract, proposed contract, licence or other matter. (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to membership of or employment under any public body. (3) In the case of married persons, the interest of one spouse shall be deemed for the purpose of this section to be also the interest of the other. (4) Section 12 shall not apply to an interest in a contract, proposed contract, licence or other matter which a director has as a member of the public or to an interest in any matter relating to the terms on which the right to participate in any service is offered to the public. (5) Where a director has an indirect pecuniary interest in a contract, proposed contract, licence or other matter by reason only of a beneficial interest in securities of a company or other body, and the nominal value of those securities does not exceed one thousand dollars or one-thousandth of the total nominal value of the issued share capital of the company or other body, whichever is the less, and, if the share capital is of more than one class, the total nominal value of shares of any one class in which that person has a beneficial interest does not exceed one-thousandth of the total issued share capital of that class, section 12 shall not prohibit that person from taking part in the consideration or discussion of the contract, proposed contract, licence or other matter or from voting on any question with respect to it, without prejudice, however, to that person’s duty to disclose that person’s interest. Additional directors

(1) The Cabinet may, in the public interest and subject to such conditions as it may think fit, appoint persons to act as directors for any specified period, in any case in which the number of directors disabled by section 12 at any one time would be so great a proportion of the whole as to impede the transaction of business. (2) Nothing in section 12 precludes any director from taking part in the consideration or discussion of, or voting on, any question whether an application should be made to the Cabinet for the exercise of the powers conferred by subsection (1). Appointment of staff and fund

(1) The Authority may employ, at such remuneration and on such terms and conditions as may be approved from time to time by the Board, such persons, including one or more Deputy Managing Directors as the Board considers necessary for the performance of the functions of the Authority. (2) The Authority shall create and maintain or subscribe to a fund for the payment of pensions to employees of the Authority in accordance with a scheme, the terms of which shall be approved by the Cabinet. (3) The fund shall be vested in trustees to be appointed by the Authority for that purpose, and shall be maintained at a sufficient level according to accepted actuarial principles to enable pensions to be paid to all employees of the Authority in accordance with the approved scheme. (4) The Cabinet may, subject to such conditions as it may impose, approve of the appointment of any public officer in the service of Government by way of secondment to any office with the Authority, and any public officer so appointed shall, in relation to pension, gratuity or other allowance and to other rights and obligations as a public officer, be treated as continuing in the service of Government. Delegation

(1) Subject to subsection (2), the Authority may, on such terms as may be approved from time to time by the Board, delegate any of its functions under this Law to any person as the Board considers necessary for the better exercise of the Authority’s functions under this Law. (2) The Authority shall not delegate any of its functions to a person pursuant to subsection (1) unless the person has — (a) experience in — (i) regulating public accountants and in overseeing the audit of financial statements of publicly traded companies; (ii) assisting regulatory authorities in their supervision and investigation of public accountants and their professional activities; and (iii) assessing accounting and assurance standards of regulatory oversight bodies; and (b) adequate knowledge in areas relevant to statutory audit. Qualification for appointment as auditor

(1) Notwithstanding sections 11 and 12 of the Regulatory Law, an auditor is only qualified for appointment as auditor of a market traded company or a designated company if that person is also a recognised auditor. (2) A person shall not, unless that person is a recognised auditor, describe themselves as engaged in the audit of market traded companies or designated companies or hold themselves out to be so qualified. (3) On ceasing to be eligible to be a recognised auditor, a person shall immediately resign any office held as auditor of a market traded company or a designated company, giving written notice to all such companies that the resignation is by reason of the application of this section. (4) A person who contravenes subsection (2) or (3) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of ten thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a term of one year, or to both. 17A. Voluntary registration of auditors 17A. (1) The Authority may by notice in the Gazette invite — (a) auditors that are not engaged in the auditing of the accounts of market traded companies or designated companies; or (b) auditors that are engaged in the auditing of the accounts of market traded companies or designated companies and are already registered as recognised auditors, to apply to the Authority to be voluntarily registered as a recognised auditor in respect of auditing the accounts of a specific type or category of company, partnership unit trust or other entity, whether or not incorporated or established in the Islands, which is not a market traded company or a designated company. (2) A notice issued under subsection (1) shall specify — (a) the specific type or category of company, partnership, unit trust or other entity to which the notice applies; (b) the basis upon which the Authority considers it appropriate to invite applications for voluntary registration under subsection (1); and any specific requirements established by the Authority in relation to that invitation. (3) An auditor that is voluntarily registered as a recognised auditor following an invitation made pursuant to subsection (1) shall be subject to all of the obligations imposed upon a recognised auditor under this Law. (4) Nothing contained in this Law shall require an auditor that audits the accounts of an Authority specified company to register under this section and this Law shall not prevent that auditor from continuing to audit the accounts of an Authority specified company. Register of recognised auditors

(1) The Authority shall establish and maintain a register of recognised auditors and responsible individuals in which there shall be entered all persons who — (a) under section 19 are auditors eligible to be entered on the register; (b) are responsible individuals; have applied to and been approved by the Authority to be entered on the register using the form provided by the Authority for this purpose; and (d) have paid the application fee or annual fee prescribed in section 20(2) or 22(2). (2) In order to withdraw from the register in respect of the auditing of market traded companies, designated companies or Authority specified companies, a recognised auditor shall give notice in writing to the Authority of that person’s deregistration, providing a full explanation for the deregistration and the prescribed fee. (3) A recognised auditor shall always give the notice referred to in subsection (2) in the circumstances described in section 23(1)(a). Eligibility for entry on register

An auditor is eligible to be entered on the register if — (a) all responsible individuals of the auditor are licensed under section 11 or 12 of the Regulatory Law; (b) the auditor and all responsible individuals of the auditor are bound by and required to comply with the Rules when auditing the accounts of market traded companies designated companies or Authority specified companies or have undertaken to do so; and all responsible individuals of the auditor have been designated by the auditor as competent to audit the accounts of a market traded company, a designated company or an Authority specified company. Application for entry on register

(1) An application for entry on the register shall be made by an auditor using the application form provided for this purpose by the Authority, and shall be accompanied by such information and documents in support of the application as the Authority may require. (2) An auditor shall only be entered on the register if prior to the first year of registration the non-refundable prescribed application fee has been paid. (3) An application for registration may be accepted or refused at the discretion of the Authority. (4) An application for registration may be accepted subject to conditions. (5) If an application for registration has been accepted, the Authority may at any time in the circumstances set out in section 21(1) — (a) cancel or suspend the registration; (b) make the registration subject to conditions or further conditions; or vary or withdraw any condition of the registration. (6) A person aggrieved by — (a) the refusal of the Authority of that person’s application for registration; (b) the cancellation or suspension of that person’s registration by the Authority; the imposition or variation by the Authority of conditions in respect of that person’s registration; or (d) the variation of a condition in respect of that person’s registration, may, within three months of the date of the decision, appeal against the decision to the Grand Court. (7) No further appeal shall lie from the decision of the Grand Court on an appeal made under subsection (6). (8) If an auditor is responsible for the audit of a market traded company or a designated company at the date of commencement of this Law, in this section referred to as the “commencement date”, the auditor may continue to carry on that activity subject to the auditor making an application for entry on the register within three months of the commencement date or other period that the Cabinet may by regulation prescribe and until — (a) the end of the period within which an appeal can be brought under subsection (6) against the decision on the application; or (b) where an appeal is brought, the determination or withdrawal of the appeal. Circumstances in which action may be taken under section 20(5)

(1) The circumstances in which an action under section 20(5) may be taken by the Authority are — (a) if the recognised auditor ceases to have a responsible individual; (b) if the Authority is satisfied that the recognised auditor or a responsible individual is not or is no longer competent or fit and proper to act as recognised auditor or responsible individual; if the Authority is otherwise satisfied that the recognised auditor or any responsible individual is not or is no longer eligible to be entered on the register; (d) if the Authority is informed by a person to whom the Authority has delegated any of its functions under section 16 that the recognised auditor or a responsible individual has breached any of the Rules substantially; (e) if the Authority is satisfied that a condition in relation to the registration has been breached; or (f) if the Authority is satisfied that the recognised auditor has not paid the costs of oversight. (2) If an entry on the register has been suspended, cancelled or made subject to conditions or further conditions, the Authority may draw this matter to the attention of the public after the final determination of all appeals. Annual confirmation of entry on register

(1) Notwithstanding section 20 and the date of first entry on the register, upon payment of the annual fee as prescribed in subsection (2), the recognised auditor shall confirm in writing to the Authority that the full details held within the register remain accurate, and if this is not the case, the recognised auditor shall provide accurate information immediately in writing to the Authority. (2) In order to remain entered on the register, a recognised auditor shall pay the prescribed non-refundable annual fee by 31st January in the year for which registration is to continue. Notifications

(1) A recognised auditor shall notify the Authority immediately in writing of any the following — (a) the recognised auditor becoming ineligible to be entered on the register; (b) the termination of the appointment of a responsible individual or a responsible individual becoming ineligible to hold that role in respect of the recognised auditor; the taking of any disciplinary action under the Regulatory Law against a responsible individual that resulted in an adverse finding; (d) any reasonable grounds that person has for suspecting that that person or a responsible individual has contravened the laws of the Islands; or (e) a request for the addition of a responsible individual to the register entry. (2) The written details required by subsection (1) shall be accompanied by such information and documents as the Authority may reasonably require. (3) Notwithstanding subsection (1), the Authority may by notice in writing require a recognised auditor to notify the Authority of any other information as it may reasonably require for the exercise of the functions conferred on it by section 3 within such reasonable time, in respect of such periods, given in such form and verified in such manner as it may specify in that written notice. Content of register

The register shall be available for public inspection in visible and legible form — (a) on the Authority’s website; and (b) at the offices of the Authority whenever those offices are open for business. Confidentiality

(1) Subject to subsection (2), all documents and other information prepared for, received by or prepared by the Authority in the exercise of its functions under this Law and all deliberations of the Authority, a director, an officer, an employee, an agent or a representative of the Authority, or a person to whom any of the functions of the Authority have been delegated under section 16, are confidential and shall not be disclosed. (2) Subsection (1) shall not apply to a disclosure — (a) lawfully required or permitted by any court of competent jurisdiction within the Islands; (b) for the purpose of assisting the Authority to exercise any functions conferred on the Authority by this Law, by any other law or by the Regulations; where the recognised auditor who provided the information or documents referred to in subsection (1) or the relevant underlying clients have given their consent; (d) for the purpose of enabling or assisting the Cabinet to exercise any functions conferred on it under this Law or the Regulations or in connection with the dealings between the Cabinet and the Authority when the Authority exercises its functions under this or any other law; (e) if the information disclosed is or has been available to the public from any other source; (f) where the information disclosed is in a summary or in statistics expressed in a manner that does not enable the identity of any person to which the information relates to be ascertained; (g) lawfully made — (i) to the Attorney General, the Director of Public Prosecutions or a law enforcement agency in the Islands, with a view to the institution of or for the purpose of criminal proceedings; or (ii) to a person pursuant to the anti-money laundering regulations made under the Proceeds of Crime Law (2020 Revision); (h) for the purposes of any legal proceedings in connection with the cancellation or suspension of registration of a recognised auditor, the winding-up or dissolution of a recognised auditor, or the appointment or duties of a receiver of a recognised auditor; (i) for the purpose of enabling the Authority to satisfy a request for assistance from an overseas auditor oversight body; or (j) made pursuant to a memorandum of understanding entered into by the Authority pursuant to section 32A. (3) The Authority, a director, an officer, an employee, an agent or a representative of the Authority, or any person to whom any of the functions of the Authority have been delegated under section 16, shall not be required in any proceeding, except a proceeding under this Law, to give testimony or produce any document with respect to documents or information that the person is prohibited from disclosing under this section. (4) Subject to subsections (1) and (3), the Authority may agree such provisions relating to confidentiality with any person to whom it has delegated its functions under section 16 as the Board considers necessary. (5) Notwithstanding any law in force in the Islands to the contrary, the Authority may, subject to subsection (6), require the provision of information or the production of documents referred to in subsection (1) by a recognised auditor that are the subject of legal professional privilege if access to the information or documents is absolutely necessary for the purpose of review of the audit. (6) The disclosure of information or documents pursuant to subsection (5) does not negate, or constitute a waiver of, any legal professional privilege and the legal professional privilege continues for all other purposes. (7) Where a recognised auditor fails to comply with a requirement of the Authority pursuant to subsection (5) within three days of the requirement or such longer period as the Authority may permit, the Authority may apply to the court for an order requiring that recognised auditor to comply with the requirement. (8) Where the provision of information or the production of documents is required by the Authority pursuant to subsection (5), a recognised auditor shall satisfy such obligation by permitting the Authority or any person to whom it has delegated functions under section 16 to inspect such information or documents at the recognised auditor’s premises in the Islands or such other location in the Islands as the recognised auditor shall determine; and unless the underlying client shall have given its consent, neither the Authority nor such person shall be permitted to take a copy of or make any note or record in any form of such information or documents. (9) The Freedom of Information Law (2020 Revision) shall not apply to any document, information or deliberation referred to in subsection (1). Immunity

The Authority, a director, an officer, an employee, an agent or a representative of the Authority, or a person to whom any of the functions of the Authority have been delegated under section 16, shall not be liable in damages for anything done or omitted in the discharge or the purported discharge of the functions of the Authority under this Law unless it is shown that the act or omission was in bad faith. Accounts

(1) The Authority shall cause to be kept proper accounts and records of the transactions and affairs of the Authority and shall do all things necessary to ensure that all moneys received are properly brought to account and that all payments out of its moneys are correctly made and properly authorised. (2) The financial year of the Authority shall be as set out in paragraph (a) of the definition of “financial year” in section 2 of the Public Management and Finance Law (2020 Revision). (3) the Authority is a statutory authority as defined in section 2 of the Public Management and Finance Law (2020 Revision) and accordingly that Law applies, among other things, to — (a) the Authority’s expenditure budget for each financial year; and (b) the preparation, maintenance, auditing and publication of the Authority’s accounts. Rules

The Authority shall make and publish rules for the purpose of ensuring that a recognised auditor, when auditing a market traded company a designated company or an Authority specified company, is subject in the Islands to a system of oversight, quality assurance, disciplinary action and investigation. Monitoring of compliance

(1) The Authority shall monitor compliance by recognised auditors with the Rules. (2) For the purposes of subsection (1) the monitoring of recognised auditors includes — (a) monitoring of actions of recognised auditors in auditing the accounts of market traded companies, designated companies or Authority specified companies; (b) conducting inspections of recognised auditors; and taking disciplinary action where necessary against recognised auditors or responsible individuals. (3) A person to whom any of the functions of the Authority are delegated under section 16 shall report to the Authority annually in writing on or before 31st January in each year specifying, among other things — (a) the work the person has undertaken in relation to public oversight of recognised auditors; and (b) the outcome of any inspections, during the preceding year up to 31st December of that preceding year. Obligations of recognised auditors

(1) A recognised auditor shall be subject to the public oversight of the Authority, and shall comply with the Authority’s requirements, including the payment of fees and disciplinary procedures. (2) A recognised auditor when auditing the accounts of a market traded company, a designated company or an Authority specified company — (a) is bound by and shall comply with the Rules; (b) shall, in so far as practicable, maintain the working papers relating to the audit of the company in English; and shall, subject to this Law, make those working papers in that person’s possession or control available to the Authority or to any person to whom the Authority has delegated any of its functions and shall use that person’s reasonable endeavours to obtain and make available to the Authority or any such person those working papers which are not in that person’s possession or control. (3) A recognised auditor shall pay the costs of oversight as prescribed. Notification by person to whom functions of Authority are delegated

(1) A person to whom any of the functions of the Authority are delegated under section 16 shall notify the Authority immediately in writing of — (a) any loss of a recognised auditor’s or responsible individual’s eligibility (to the extent that that person has knowledge thereof) to be entered on the register; (b) the reasons (to the best of that person’s knowledge) for the loss; and any reasonable grounds that person has for suspecting that a recognised auditor or responsible individual has contravened the law of the Islands. (2) The Authority may by notice in writing require a person referred to in subsection (1) to notify it of any other information as it may reasonably require for the exercise of the functions conferred by this Law, within such reasonable time, in respect of such periods, given in such form and verified in such manner as it may specify in that written notice. 32A. Memorandum of understanding 32A. (1) The Authority may, in the exercise of its functions, after consultation with the Minister charged with responsibility for Financial Services, enter into a memorandum of understanding with — (a) an overseas auditor oversight body for the purpose of assisting the overseas auditor oversight body in the exercise of its regulatory or supervisory functions as they relate to a recognised auditor or a responsible individual or for other regulatory or supervisory purposes the Authority considers fit; and (b) a body, whether regulatory or professional and whether established overseas or in the Islands, for the purpose of enabling the Authority to communicate and share information with the body for the purpose of enabling or assisting the Authority to carry out its functions under this Law. (2) A memorandum of understanding may not call for assistance beyond that which is provided for by this Law or relieve the Authority of any of its functions or duties under this Law. (3) The Authority shall notify the Minister charged with responsibility for Financial Services of each memorandum of understanding entered into and promptly publish the memorandum of understanding on its website. 32B. Disclosure to the Authority 32B. (1) Where an auditor or any of the auditor’s partners, officers, directors, principals or employees, or a responsible individual provides information to the Authority, or to any person to whom the Authority has delegated its functions under section 16, for the purpose of enabling or assisting the Authority to carry out its functions under this Law, the provision of the information shall not be treated as a breach of any restriction upon the disclosure of information by or under any Law and the provision of information under the above-mentioned circumstances shall not give rise to any criminal or civil liability. (2) This section shall apply whether or not the information was provided to the Authority or its delegate pursuant to a request or instruction by the Authority or its delegate that the information be provided. 32C. Assisting an overseas auditor oversight body 32C. (1) In deciding whether or not to assist an overseas auditor oversight body, whether by use of the Authority’s powers under section 32A or otherwise, the Authority shall take into account — (a) whether corresponding assistance would be given in the relevant country or territory to the Authority; (b) whether the assistance is required to enable the overseas auditors oversight body to carry out its functions; and whether it is in the public interest to give the assistance sought. (2) The Authority may — (a) require an overseas auditor oversight body which requests assistance to give a written undertaking, in such form as the Authority may require, to provide corresponding assistance to the Authority and where an overseas auditor oversight body fails to comply with such requirements may refuse to provide the assistance sought; and (b) decline to assist an overseas auditor oversight body unless the overseas auditor body oversight undertakes to make such contribution towards the costs of the assistance as the Authority considers appropriate. (3) The Authority shall not give to an overseas auditor oversight body any assistance involving the disclosure or gathering of, or the giving of access to, information or documents unless — (a) the Authority has satisfied itself that the intended recipient overseas auditor oversight body is subject to adequate legal restrictions on further disclosures; or (b) the Authority has been given an undertaking by the recipient overseas auditor oversight body not to disclose the information provided without the consent of the Authority; and the Authority is satisfied that the assistance requested by the overseas auditor oversight body is required for the purposes of the overseas auditor oversight body’s regulatory functions including the conduct of civil and administrative investigations or proceedings to enforce laws corresponding to the regulatory laws and administered by that body; and the Authority is satisfied that information provided following the exercise of its powers, will not be used in criminal proceedings against the person providing the information, other than proceedings for an offence of perjury. Regulations

(1) The Cabinet may by regulations make provision for the purpose of carrying this Law into effect and, in particular, but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, for or with respect to any matter that may be prescribed under this Law. (2) Regulations made under subsection (1) may — (a) make different provision in relation to different cases or circumstances; (b) apply in respect of particular persons or particular cases or particular classes of persons or particular classes of cases, and define a class by reference to any circumstances whatsoever; create an offence punishable by a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars; or (d) prescribe the manner in which an administrative penalty regime with a maximum penalty of five thousand dollars may be implemented. Published in consolidated and revised form authorised by the Cabinet this 7th day of January, 2020. Kim Bullings Clerk of the Cabinet Table of Legislation History: SL # Law # Legislation Commencement Gazette 21/2019 Auditors Oversight (Amendment) Law, 2019 8-Aug-2019 LG28/2019/s12 Auditors Oversight Law (2017 Revision) 31-May-2017 GE45/2017/s1 28/2016 Auditors Oversight (Amendment) Law, 2016 5-Dec-2016 G25/2016/s10 Auditors Oversight Law, 2011 (Commencement) Order, 2012 30-Apr-2012 GE37/2012/s1 23/2011 Auditors Oversight Law, 2011 1-May-2012 G24/2011/s2 (Price: $5.60)