Ownership structure
The scheme of legal connections between owners, companies and assets: who holds what shares, through which links, and in which jurisdictions. The basis of any corporate check.
Practical significance
Building the ownership structure turns scattered register entries into a picture: centers of control, vulnerable links, jurisdictional barriers and the place of each asset become visible. The history of the structure is equally important - changes often coincide with conflicts and transactions.
Where it is used
- Due diligence of companies and groups
- preparation for M&A transactions
- asset tracing and recovery
- sanctions and compliance analysis
What the term does not mean
A current scheme is not the same as the full picture: the structure as of the check date may differ from the structure as of the date of the disputed events - therefore both are recorded.
How it differs from «Actual control»
Structure is what is registered; control is what actually happens. A proper check always compares the two. More about this term
Illustrative example
A group of eight companies in three countries is consolidated into a single scheme: it becomes visible that all operating flows close on a link that changed owner a month before the negotiations.
Related terms, services and guides
Definition verified 2 August 2026
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