Located in the English Channel, close to France, Guernsey is the second largest of the Channel Islands. The Island became part of the British Crown some 800 years ago.
 
Today the Channel Islands have a special relationship with the United Kingdom, the UK Government being responsible for the Island's defence and external affairs. In all other matters it is self-governing. Guernsey has a relationship with the European Union governed by Protocol 3 of the Treaty of Accession, whereby there is free movement of goods but no provision for the free movement of labour.
 
Guernsey is a major offshore financial centre and the advantages as a jurisdiction may be summarised as follows:
 
• Political stability and independence
 
• High regulatory standards
 
• Good levels of professional support
 
• Low taxation
 
• Good communications