A limited company is a type of business structure that has been incorporated at Companies House as a legal ‘person’. It is completely separate from its owners, it can enter into contracts in its own name and is responsible for its own actions, finances and liabilities. The owners of a company are protected by ‘limited liability’, which means…
A corporate shareholder is the term used to describe a business entity that owns shares in another limited company. The term ‘corporate shareholder’ may refer to another limited company, a group of companies, a general partnership or limited liability partnership, a non-profit organisation or charity, a trust, or a community interest company (CIC). Essentially, a…
Most private limited companies in the UK have to put ‘Limited’ or ‘Ltd’ at the end of their name when they are registered. Welsh companies can use ‘Cyfyngedig’ or ‘Cyf’ instead. However, some companies are exempt if they can satisfy specific criteria.
A service address is the official contact address of a limited company director, company secretary, subscriber, LLP member and any person or corporate body who is registered as a Person with Significant Control (‘PSC’) of a company. Companies House, HMRC and other government agencies, will send statutory mail to these individuals at their nominated service…
Limited by guarantee companies are an alternative type of business structure that are normally used by non-profit organisations. They don’t have share capital or shareholders. Instead, they are owned by one or more ‘guarantors’, each of whom guarantees a fixed sum of money to the business in the event of insolvency. Typically, guarantors do not take…
Before we discuss how to change a SIC code, it is important to understand what it actually is! What is a SIC code? Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes are used to classify and identify a company’s main business activities, i.e. what the company does. Limited companies are required to choose up to four SIC codes and…
You can change a company name at any time after incorporation. This can be done either by having the members (be they shareholders or guarantors) pass a special resolution or (if the company’s articles permit it) by the directors resolving to do so. The first thing you should do is check the articles of association…
We are often asked to explain the difference between ‘Limited’ and ‘Ltd’ at the end of a company name. There is absolutely no difference, other than the fact that one is a complete word and the other is the shortened form. So, you can use whichever one you like.
Directors must prepare and send annual accounts at the end of their limited company’s financial year. They must be delivered to Companies House 9 months after the accounting reference date (ARD), at the very latest. You can send annual account online via WebFiling or by post. Small and medium companies may qualify for an audit exemption. If…
A dormant company is one that is currently not trading, which means it is inactive for Corporation Tax purposes. You do not have to tell Companies House that your company is dormant until it’s time to file your annual accounts. However, you must tell HMRC as soon as possible. You can do this by contacting the Corporation Tax…
Yes, you can reserve a company name, but only by registering a limited company. If you have a name in mind, it’s a good idea to reserve it even if you are not quite ready to start trading.
There is no legal requirement for a private limited company to appoint a secretary, unless their articles states otherwise. This follows amendments to the Companies Act 2006 in April 2008. If a secretary is required under the articles, you must have one at all times. If there is no such provision in the articles, you…
