Guide to Doing Business Northern Ireland Prepared by Lex Mundi member firm, Arthur Cox This guide is part of the Lex Mundi Guides to Doing Business series which provides general information about legal and business infrastructures in jurisdictions around the world. View the complete series at: www.lexmundi.com/GuidestoDoingBusiness. Lex Mundi is the world’s leading network of independent law firms with in-depth experience in 100+ countries. Through close collaboration, our member firms are able to offer their clients preferred access to more than 21,000 lawyers worldwide – a global resource of unmatched breadth and depth. Lex Mundi – the law firms that know your markets. www.lexmundi.com Lex Mundi: A Guide to Doing Business in Northern Ireland. Prepared by Arthur Cox Updated June 2016 This document is intended merely to highlight issues for general information purposes only. It is not comprehensive nor does it provide legal advice. Any and all information is subject to change without notice. No liability whatsoever is accepted by Arthur Cox for any action taken in reliance on the information herein. LEX MUNDI: A GUIDE TO DOING BUSINESS IN NORTHERN IRELAND, PREPARED BY ARTHUR COX PAGE 2 Contents I. THE COUNTRY AT-A-GLANCE ............................................................................................................. 4 A. What languages are spoken? ............................................................................................................................................................ 4 B. What is the exchange rate for the U.S. dollar and the euro? ............................................................................................................. 4 C. Describe your country’s geography, proximity to other countries and climate. ............................................................................... 4 D. Are there cultural influences or prohibitions on the way business is conducted? ............................................................................. 4 E. Are there religious influences or prohibitions on the way business is conducted? ........................................................................... 5 F. Explain your country’s infrastructure. .............................................................................................................................................. 5 G. Explain the communication system. ................................................................................................................................................. 5 H. Describe the public services – ie. water, electricity, gas. Are they publicly or privately owned? ..................................................... 6 II. GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS .............................................................................................................. 7 A. Investment policies .......................................................................................................................................................................... 7 B. Diplomatic Relations ..................................................................................................................................................................... 10 C. Government ................................................................................................................................................................................... 10 D. Explain your country’s judicial system. ......................................................................................................................................... 11 E. Explain your country’s legislative system. ..................................................................................................................................... 12 F. Environmental Considerations ....................................................................................................................................................... 12 III INVESTMENT INCENTIVES ................................................................................................................. 13 A. Explain any export incentives or guarantees. ................................................................................................................................. 15 B. Explain any grants, subsidies or funds your country offers foreign investors. ............................................................................... 15 C. Explain any national tax incentives for foreign investors. .............................................................................................................. 16 IV FINANCIAL FACILITIES ....................................................................................................................... 19 A. Banking/Financial Facilities........................................................................................................................................................... 19 B. Exchange Controls ......................................................................................................................................................................... 22 V. STRUCTURES FOR DOING BUSINESS............................................................................................... 23 A. Governmental Participation ........................................................................................................................................................... 23 B. Limited Liability Companies ......................................................................................................................................................... 23 C. Joint Ventures ................................................................................................................................................................................ 25 D. Unlimited Liability Companies ...................................................................................................................................................... 28 E. Partnerships, General or Limited ................................................................................................................................................... 28 F. Partnerships, Undisclosed .............................................................................................................................................................. 29 G. Sole Proprietorships ....................................................................................................................................................................... 29 H. Subsidiaries/Branches/Representative Offices ............................................................................................................................... 29 I. Trusts and other Fiduciary Entities ................................................................................................................................................ 30 VI. REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A BUSINESS ................................................ 31 A. Alien Business Law ....................................................................................................................................................................... 31 B. Antitrust Laws ............................................................................................................................................................................... 31 C. Environmental Regulations ............................................................................................................................................................ 32 D. Government Approvals .................................................................................................................................................................. 32 E. Insurance ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 32 F. Licences/Permits ............................................................................................................................................................................ 33 VII OPERATION OF THE BUSINESS ......................................................................................................... 34 A. Advertising .................................................................................................................................................................................... 34 B. Attorneys ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 34 C. Bookkeeping Requirements ........................................................................................................................................................... 34 D. Business Ethics/Codes ................................................................................................................................................................... 35 E. Consumer Protection Laws ............................................................................................................................................................ 36 F. Construction ..................................................................................................................................................................................