The Corporate Affairs and Intellectual Property Office Act, Cap. 21A is the enactment which formally established the Department under the law. Passed in 1988, the Act provides, inter alia, that the Registrar is responsible for the administration of the Corporate Affairs and Intellectual Property Office, assisted by the Assistant Registrar and such other officers as are necessary “…for the purpose of carrying out the functions of the Registrar under the Act and under any other enactment vesting duties, authority and responsibility in the Registrar”. Currently, the Registrar is responsible for administering some twenty-nine (29) enactments. (See LEGISLATION)

The Registrar is assisted by three (3) legally qualified Deputies Registrar, an Assistant Registrar and a staff of approximately 25 other persons. The Department is also required to perform notarial acts.