News

Sanctions Notice - Russia - New guidance

7th March 2022

Please be advised that the UK has updated its Russia guidance in line with the current and emerging circumstances of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

All businesses are required to be proactive in monitoring the emergence of new sanctions and the changes to previous designations. All actions taken by the UK in regard to Russia sanctions can be found at this address as soon as they are made:

Financial sanctions, Russia - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Designated persons are subject to an asset freeze and will appear on the consolidated list, which can be found here.

These measures are being introduced under the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (the UK regulations); these are given effect within the Bailiwick under the Sanctions (Implementation of UK Regimes) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) (Brexit) Regulations, 2020 that have been made under the Sanctions (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2018 (the Sanctions Law).

MEASURES WHICH SHOULD BE TAKEN

All businesses must check whether they maintain any accounts or otherwise have any kind of relationship with any other natural or legal person, entity or body designated under the legislation referred to above and must treat any funds, other assets or economic resources

  • directly or indirectly belonging to, owned, held or controlled by them, whether wholly or jointly, or
  • that comprise interest, dividends or other forms of property derived from any funds or economic resources that belong to them or are owned, held or controlled by them, whether directly or indirectly and wholly or jointly, or
  • belonging to individuals or entities acting on their behalf or at their direction, whether wholly or jointly

as frozen with immediate effect if this is not already the case. Businesses must report any findings to the Policy & Resources Committee immediately. They must also ensure that they have taken all other steps that may be required in order to comply with the reporting obligations at section 14 of the Sanctions Law.

Businesses must also refrain from making any funds or economic resources available directly or indirectly, wholly or jointly, to or for the benefit of 

  • any designated person, entity or body
  • any entity directly or indirectly owned or controlled by a designated person, entity or body, whether wholly or jointly
  • any individuals or entities acting on behalf or at the direction of a designated person, entity or body, whether wholly or jointly

other than in respect of transactions that come within a permitted derogation as determined by the Policy & Resources Committee, or in accordance with a licence issued by the Policy & Resources Committee, as the case may be.

The information referred to above is required by the Policy & Resources Committee in the exercise of its powers under section 15 of the Sanctions Law.

Any information or queries should be sent to [email protected] with the subject line “Russia Sanctions”.

Further information on the effect of asset freezes and related issues including licences is available on the States of Guernsey website at http://www.gov.gg/sanctions