Cook Islands vs Nevis: trust jurisdictions side by side

Shaded cells differ between the two places.

Rows we have not published for a place are listed below the table.

Cook Islands and Nevis compared

Fact	Cook Islands	Nevis
Trust structure	Registered; non-resident beneficiaries; listed company as trustee or power holder	Settlor and beneficiaries must at all times be non-residents of Nevis
Governing law	International Trusts Act 1984 (No. 14), as later amended	Nevis International Exempt Trust Ordinance (Cap. 07.03(N))
Asset protection rule	1989 Act: bankruptcy (13A), fraud (13B), foreign judgments (13D), spendthrift (13F)	A creditor's sole remedy is a claim of fraudulent transfer
Registration	1984 Act provides an annual certificate of registration	Entered on the register of international trusts through a registered agent
Trustee requirement	As enacted, s.2 asks for a listed type of company as trustee or power holder	A Nevis corporation or a trust company doing business in Nevis

Not published for Cook Islands: perpetuity period. Ask us.

Not published for Nevis: reserved settlor powers, registry search, reporting to authorities and fee rules. Ask us.

This is guidance, not legal or tax advice. Every fact has a source, listed under Sources with its date.

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