As the time span for settling share deals tightens - currently three days and moving to one day - investors are being advised to hold their shares electronically rather than as share certificates. Buying and selling electronically registered shares is much faster and more streamlined than dealing with paper certificates. And in time investors will probably be charged more if they hold paper because of the additional costs of processing it.

There are two ways to hold shares electronically, a Crest personal account or the more commonly used nominee accounts operated by stockbrokers. For many shareholders the Crest personal account may be the best option because full legal and beneficial ownership of the shares remains with the shareholders.

Strict legal ownership of shares held in a broker nominee account lies with the nominee company. While this company has a legal obligation to the shareholder, access to shares could be restricted for a period if the company gets into trouble - as in the case of the Cork-based W&R Morrogh Stockbrokers, when a liquidator was appointed.