Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Related legal acts

Key definition

Rules definition

What does Rules mean? Rules describes the written provisions that govern how a pension scheme operates—especially occupational pension schemes—usually contained in, or annexed to, the trust deed (trust deed and rules). Legislation refers to these as scheme rules (for example, Pensions Act 1995 and Pensions Act 2004 in the UK, and the Pensions Act 1990 in Ireland). Scheme rules set out eligibility, benefit structure (defined benefit or defined contribution), contributions, service and accrual, retirement options and ages, revaluation/indexation, ill‑health and death benefits, transfers in and out, leaver provisions, forfeiture, augmentation, priority on winding‑up, discretions and decision‑making, and the scheme’s amendment and termination powers. They also...

Sukuk as alternative finance investment bonds (AFIB) in the UK: qualification tests, corporation tax, withholding tax, loan relationship and securitisation treatment for issuers and corporate holders

Published by a LexisNexis Tax expert

Practice notes

Shari’a-compliant financing arrangements

Shari’a‑compliant financing arrangements, otherwise described as Islamic financing arrangements, can be structured in a number of ways. To cater for the direct tax analysis of Shari’a financing variants, the UK has put in place specific provisions known as the alternative finance arrangement rules. The purpose of these UK rules is to ensure that, for direct tax purposes, a qualifying Shari’a‑compliant financing is taxed in the same manner as an equivalent conventional financing arrangement. Achieving that parity depends upon the arrangements meeting the relevant statutory conditions prescribed for alternative finance arrangements in the applicable legislation. Currently, the regime extends to five distinct categories of financing arrangement. Importantly, the direct tax framework for alternative finance is not limited solely to Islamic financing; non‑Shari’a structures can, in principle, be brought within its scope as well. Among the five categories is the investment bond arrangement, commonly known as an alternative finance investment bond, or AFIB. This Practice Note deals with AFIB arrangements. Sukuk, which are a type of Shari’a financing arrangement and are often referred to as Islamic bonds, may secure the UK tax treatment available to AFIB arrangements provided that all of the necessary conditions are satisfied. This Practice Note...

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Sarah Squires

Old Square Tax Chambers

Sarah is a barrister at Old Square Tax Chambers, having been called to the bar in 2017. She has significant corporate tax experience, having practised a as a solicitor in leading City firms prior to re-qualifying as a barrister. She started her professional career in the tax department of Linklaters and then, following a move to Clifford Chance LLP in 2000, became a partner in their tax group in 2002. Sarah is a member of the Law Society Tax Law Committee. In addition, she also acts as a consultant to various trade and other representation bodies on tax policy matters. Sarah's practice is focused on general business and corporate tax matters, including in relation to real estate, finance and capital markets transactions....

Web page updated on 22/05/2026

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