Companyandbusinessnames
Choosinganameisoneofthemostimportantcommercialdecisionstobemadewhen settingupacompany,anditcanaffecthowwellitperformsinitsparticularfield.Each companywillhavetoconsiderdifferentfactorsappropriatetoitsowncircumstances,such as:
–whetherthenamewillreflecttheindividualsinvolved,theproductorservice,orboth; –whetherthecompanycanutilisetheexistinggoodwillinaname,suchaswhenapartnershiporsoletraderisincorporated;
–howthechosennamewillfitintotherelevantmarket;and –whatstepsthecompanycantaketoprotectanyintellectualpropertyinitsname,for examplebyregisteringatrademarkordomainname(¶6500+).
Companiesmayalsoneedtocarryoutsomeresearchtoensurethatacompanyname doesnotcauseoffenceorbreachothercompanies’rightsabroad.
Companiesareoftenincorporatedandtradeunderthesamename,buttheysometimes tradeunderadifferentnametothatregisteredatCompaniesHouse.Thismaybeforseveralreasons,forexamplebecausethetradingnamecarriesmoregoodwillinit,orthe companynamedenotesitspositioninthegroupwhereasitdoesbusinessunderamore descriptivename
ThenameacompanyregistersatCompaniesHouseisreferredtoasits“companyname”, andtheoneittradesunderisits“businessname”.Intheinterestsoftransparencyandto preventcompanieshidingbehindadifferentname,statuteimposesrequirementsonthe useofbothtypesofname.Thisavoidsconfusionandensuresthatthosewithwhomthe companydoesbusinessandthegeneralpublicareawareofthecompany’sregistered name,officeandregistrationnumber.
Comment:TheforthcomingreformstoCompaniesHouse(¶5602+)includedintheEconomicCrimeandCorporateTransparencyAct2023willmakevariouschangestorequirements relatingtocompanyandbusinessnames.Thesechangesarenotedasrelevantthroughout thischapterandreaderswillbekeptinformedofimplementationdevelopmentsthrough theupdatingservice
CHAPTER2
OUTLINE ¶¶ SECTION1Companynames 160 ABasicrequirements.......................... 165 BNamesrequiringconsent 180 CDisclosureofnames 185 DUseofnameafterliquidation 190 EChangeofname 200 1Voluntary 205 2Compulsory 210 SECTION2Businessnames...... 230 SECTION3Protectionof names 245
COMPANYFORMATIONANDSTRUCTURE21 150
1116
b.Returnofcapital
Areturnofcapitaltotheshareholdersusuallyarisesonaliquidationoronareductionof sharecapital.Unlessthesharerightsstateotherwise,thepresumptionisthatpreference sharescarrynorightsonareturnofcapital(ScottishInsuranceCorpLtdvWilsonsandClydeCoalCoLtd [1949]1AllER1068).
Theactualrightsonareturnofcapital,therefore,dependentirelyupontheexpressrights attachedtotheshare.Normally,preferenceshareswillbeexpressedtocarrytherightto receive:
–paymentofanyarrearsofdividend;and –repaymentofthecapitalpaiduponeachshare(which,inthecaseofafully-paidshare, isitsnominalvalue).
Paymentofdividendarrears
Unlessotherwisespecifiedinthesharerights,preferentialdividendrightswillbelostifthe companygoesintoliquidation.Thisisbecausetheprovisionsconcerningdividendrights cometoanendand,afterthedebtsofthecompanyhavebeenpaid,theprovisionswith regardtothereturnofcapitalapply(ReCrichton’sOilCo[1900-3]AllERRepExt1378;ReWFoster &SonLtd[1942]1AllER314).Onotherreturnsofcapital(forexample,followingareduction ofsharecapital)thereisnodefaultrequirementtoclearpreferentialdividendarrearsin prioritytothereturnofcapital.
Forthisreason,preferentialsharerightsoftenexpresslystatethatonaliquidationorother returnofcapital,allarrearsandaccrualsofpreferentialdividendrightsmustbepaidin prioritytopaymentstotheothershareholders,eveniftheyhavenotbeendeclaredasdue orearned.Inaliquidation,unlessthesharerightsstateotherwise,theentitlementwillbe toarrearsandaccrualsuptothedateoftheliquidationratherthanthedateoftheactual paymenttotheshareholders(ReEWSavoryLtd[1951]2AllER1036).
Eveniftherighttopreferentialdividendarrearsispreservedifthecompanygoesinto liquidation,anyarrearswouldrankbehindtheothercreditors(s74(2)(f)IA1986).This meansthattheywouldonlybepaidonceallothercreditorshadbeensatisfied.However, thearrearsofdividendwouldbetakenintoaccountindecidingupontherightsofthe shareholderstoanysurpluscapital.
Repaymentofcapitalpaid
Normally,preferencesharerightsspecifythatpreferenceshareholdersareentitledtohave theircapitalrepaidinprioritytopaymentstoothershareholders.
ALtdisinliquidation.Ithas£100,000tobereturnedtoshareholders.Ithasanissued sharecapitalof£200,000dividedinto150,000ordinarysharesof£1eachand25,000preference sharesof£2each.Allsharesarefullypaid-up.
1.Supposethepreferenceshareshavenoentitlementsonareturnofcapital.The£100,000is paidoutontheordinarysharesonly.Eachordinaryshareholderwillreceive66ppershare.
2.Supposethepreferencesharesareentitledtotherepaymentofcapitalpaidupontheshares butnotinprioritytotheordinaryshares.The£100,000isapportionedbetweentheordinaryshares andpreferencesharesonaproratabasis,inotherwordseachsharewillreceiveareturnof50pfor every£1ofnominalvalue.Eachpreferenceshareholderwillthereforereceive£1pershareand eachordinaryshareholderwillreceive50ppershare.
3.Supposethepreferencesharesareentitledtotherepaymentofcapitalpaidupontheshares inprioritytotheordinaryshares.Thepreferenceshareholderswillfirstbepaidthefullnominal valueoftheirshares,leaving£50,000tobedistributedamongtheordinaryshareholders.Each preferenceshareholderwillthereforereceive£2pershareandeachordinaryshareholderwill receive33ppershare.
Sometimes,preferencesharesarealsoexpressedtohaverightstothesurplusassetsofthe companyonareturnofcapital.Theseareknownas“participatingpreferenceshares”(see ¶1135+).
EXAMPLE
112SHARESANDSHARECAPITAL 1110 1112 1113 1115
1367
C.Issueprocedure
Therearefourmainstagestoashareissue: –pre-issuechecks(¶1367); –passingshareholderresolutions(¶1369+); –allotment(¶1372+);and –post-allotmentadministration(¶1376+).
Theprocedureisslightlydifferent,dependinguponwhetheritisbeingcarriedoutforcash ornon-cashconsideration(see¶1409+forthedistinctionbetweenthetwo).Thecashconsiderationprocedureappliesonlywhenallofthesharesaretobepaidforentirelyincash; ifpartoftheconsiderationisnotcashthenthenon-cashconsiderationprocedureapplies. Therearealsoparticularrequirementsforbonusandrightsissues,whicharereferredto below.
Pre-issuechecks
Thepre-issuecheckswhichmustbecarriedoutdependuponthetypeofissuethatisbeing undertaken,asthefollowingtableillustrates. Check
Ifnewsharesarecreated,dotheyhaveappropriate classrights
Arethedirectorsauthorisedtoallottheshares?1
Doanypre-emptionprovisionsapplyandarethe allotmentsgoingtobemadeinaccordancewith them?
Aretheresufficientprofitsand/orreserves? ¶1327
Isthecompanyauthorisedtomaketheissuebyits articlesandistheformoftheissuewithinthat authority? ¶1329 ¶1331+
Doestheissueneedspecificshareholderapproval? ¶1335 ✓
Doestheallotmenttoadirectororpersonconnected tothemrequiredisclosureofthedirector’sinterest? ¶4000+ ✓ ✓
Doestheallotmenttoadirectororpersonconnected tothemamounttoasubstantialpropertytransaction? ¶4120+ ✓
Note:
1.Therearesomeexceptions,mostnotably,privatecompanieswithonlyoneclassofsharesdonotneedtoauthorise theirdirectorstoallot. Companiesincorporatedbefore1October2009mayalsoneedtoconsiderwhethertheyhavesufficientauthorised sharecapital(¶1220).Forcompaniesincorporatedafterthatdate,theconcepthasbeenabolished.
2.Onlycontractualpre-emptionprovisionsinthecompany’sarticlesorotheragreementneedtobeconsidered.
Shareholderresolutions
1369
1370
Oncethepre-issuecheckshavebeencarriedout,itmaybecomeapparentthatcertain shareholderresolution(s)willhavetobepassedbeforetheallotmentcanoccur
Theboardwillneedtoconveneageneralmeetingoftheshareholderstoputtherequired resolutionstothem(¶2905+).Tosavetime,itmaybepossibletocallthemeetingonshort notice(¶2986+).Alternatively,writtenresolutionscouldbeused(see¶2820+).
MEMOPOINTS
Aswellaspassingtherelevantshareholderresolutions,thedirectorsmayalsoneed toprocurethattheshareholderswaivetheirpre-emptionrights(see¶1290+).
Afterthemeeting(assumingtheresolutionsarepassed)orafterthewrittenresolutionsare signed,thefollowingadministrativematterswillneedtobedealtwith:
¶¶ Cash issue Noncash issue Bonus issue Rights issue
? ¶1225+ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
¶
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
1230+
¶
✓ ✓2 ✓2 ✓
1255+
✓
✓
✓ ✓
136SHARESANDSHARECAPITAL
1365
B.Unfairprejudice
Shareholderscanapplytocourtforaremedyiftheyhavesuffered“unfairprejudice”to theirinterestsasshareholdersbecauseofthewayinwhichthecompanyhasbeenrun (s994CA2006).Thisremedyprotectsshareholderswhodonothavethepowertorectifyor objecttounfairlyprejudicialconductinternally
Theseapplicationsaremostcommonlyusedwheredisputesariseinsmallowner-managed companies,sincethesuccessofthecompanydependsonthepersonalitiesinvolved.Such companiesareoftenrunonaquasi-partnershipbasisbydirector/shareholderswhohad somekindofagreement(whetherinwritingornot)thateach“partner”wouldbeinvolved inrunningthebusiness.Whenadisputeoccursandone“partner”isintheminority,or thereisadeadlock,theymayhavenochoicebuttoapplytothecourtforafairresolution ofthedispute.Courtactiontendstobeexpensiveandtime-consuming,andsothisshareholderremedyisonlyusedasalastresortwhenrelationshavebrokendownbetweenthe parties.Therefore,theremedyusuallyawardedbythecourtistoprovidetheprejudiced director/shareholderwithafairexitroutefromthecompany.
EXAMPLE DandOwereinarelationshipfor20yearsandhadtwochildrentogether.Theyalsoran aconstructionbusiness,consistingofeightcompaniesaltogether.Theywerejointdirectorsand equalshareholdersofthetwocompaniesatthecentreoftheunfairprejudiceproceedings,GLtd andPMO.Thecompaniesoperatedasquasi-partnerships:therewerenoformalmeetingsor decision-makingprocesses,andtheassetsandliabilitiesofonecompanywereroutinelytreatedas belongingtoothers.Thecouplesplitup,butcontinuedtoliveinthehousewithlittleorno communicationbetweenthemaboutbusinessorpersonalmatters.
Dsubsequentlyappliedforrelieffromunfairprejudice,allegingthatshehadbeenexcludedfrom managementandOhadmisappropriatedassetsfromthebusiness.Sheclaimedthat,withouther consentorknowledge,hershareofGLtdwassold,shewasreplacedasadirector,andOsecured personalborrowingagainstPMO’sassets.OcounteredthathehadconsultedDwhennecessary, butthecourtfoundthathisevidencewasunreliable.Forexample,PMOboardmeetingminutes recordedDaspresentatameetingapprovingthegrantofsecurity,butOadmittedincourtthatD wasonly“present”inthesensethatshewasinthesamebuilding,notatthemeeting.SinceOhad frozenDoutofthebusinessandtakendecisionsinhisowninterestsandnotthecompany’s,in manycaseswithoutD’sconsentorknowledge,thecourtwassatisfiedthatherinterestsasa shareholderhadsuffered.OwasorderedtobuyoutD’sshareinGLtdandPMO,at£787,780and £66,112respectively(ReGreenfrostLtdandanothercompany;DaviesvO’Keeffeandothers[2023] EWHC5(Ch)).
MEMOPOINTS
1.Applicationscanalsobemadebypersonalrepresentativesandtrusteesin bankruptcy(s994(2)CA2006).Sincetheremedycanbeusedbythosetowhomshareshavebeen transferredbyoperationoflaw,theydonothavetoelecttohavetheirnamesregisteredasshareholdersinordertomaketheapplication.Evenatransferorofshareswhichhavebeentransferred butnotregisteredhasstandingtopetitionforunfairprejudice,sincetheystillfallwithinthe statutorydefinitionof“shareholder”,asdoesthetransferee(ReMcCarthySurfacingLtd,Hecquetandothers vMcCarthyandothers[2006]EWHC832(Ch)).
2.Majorityshareholdersarenotusuallyprotectedbythisremedybecausetheyhavethepower tocorrectunfairprejudice,forexample,byremovingadirectorordeclaringanunauthorised transactionvoid.
3.Thesecretaryofstatecanalsomakesuchanapplicationifthecompanyhasbeen investigatedbytheInsolvencyService,theFCAorPRA(s995CA2006).
RIGHTSANDREMEDIES257 2750
3080
e.Comparisonofattendees’rights
restrictions
Countinthe quorum ✓ Thearticlesmay restrictthisability, e.g.bystatingthata shareholderhasto havetherighttovote
Subjecttothesame restrictionsastheir appointorandany otherrestrictionsin theappointment form
Appointa representativeto attend
Completefreedomas tohowtoexercise theirvote,unlessthey area nominee/trustee/ bankrupt/transferor wherethetransferis notyetregistered,in whichcasetheymust voteasinstructedor inthebeneficial holder’sbestinterests
Proofof entitlements
✓
Proxy-canappoint morethanone; Corporate representative-if corporate shareholder(can appointmorethan one) x ✓ Corporate representativecan appointaproxyto attendintheirplace
Nameenteredonthe registerof shareholders
Proxyappointment formlodgedwiththe company
Evidence(e.g.copy boardresolutionof thecorporate shareholderthey represent)submitted tothecompany
¶3035+ ¶3060+
¶5360+
¶3035+ ¶3060+
1 Proxies Corporate representatives ¶¶
✓
x ¶3000+
✓
¶
✓
✓
¶3065+
✓ ✓ Subjectto
✓ Subjectto
represent ¶3025+ Vote: Maybesubjectto votingrestrictions Subjecttothesame restrictionsastheir appointor Subjecttothesame restrictionsasthe shareholderthey represent ¶3100+ 1.Onashowof hands 1.✓ 1.✓ 1.✓ 2.Onapoll 2.✓ 2.✓ 2.✓ Freedomofvote ✓
Right/action Shareholders
Receivenoticeof meetings
x
Attendmeetings ✓ Maybesubjectto
✓ Subjecttothesame restrictionsasthe shareholderthey represent
3025+
Subjecttothesame restrictionsastheir appointor
Subjecttothesame restrictionsasthe shareholderthey represent
Speakatmeetings
appointor’s instructions
instructionsof shareholderthey
x Mustvoteas instructed x Mustvotein accordancewith theirauthority ¶3114+ Demandapoll ✓ Iftheyqualify x Iftheirappointor wouldqualify ✓ Iftheshareholder theyrepresentwould qualify ¶3132+
306SHAREHOLDER
Summary
Thefollowingflowchartillustrateshowtodeterminewhetherornotadirectorhasauthoritytobindthecompany
Flowchartscenario:
XwantstoenterintoacontractwithALtd.HedealswithBwhoactsonALtd’sbehalf.To workoutwhetherBhastheauthoritytobindALtd,Xshouldfollowthisprocess:
DIRECTORS’DUTIES371 3670
A.Groundofunfitness
Unfitconductinrelationtoaninsolventcompanyisthemostcommongroundfordisqualification:893ofthe932disqualificationsfromtheperiod2022/23weremadeonthisground (InsolvencyServiceEnforcementOutcomes,2022/23).Overhalfofthesecases(51%)involved coronavirusloanfraud(¶6007).Thelegislationgivesthecourtsastartingpointoffactorsto considerwhenassessingwhetheradirector’sconductmakesthemunfittobeadirector Thefactorsdifferdependingonwhethertheconductinquestionoccurredbefore1October2015ornot,owingtoamendmentsbroughtintoforceonthatdate.Therefore,cases currentlygoingthroughthecourtsmaywellinvolveconsiderationofbothsetsoffactors.In eithercase,thestatutorylistsarenotcomprehensiveandthecourtcanconsideradditional matters(forexample,adirector’sfailuretoco-operatewiththeFSA’sinquiries,Ghassemianv SecretaryofStateforTradeandIndustry[2006]EWHC1715(Ch)),butitmustlookattheseissuesin thecontextofthedirector’sconductasawhole.TheInsolvencyServicecanreportbehaviourthatmaybreachrequirementsoutsidethescopeofcompanyandinsolvencylawto therelevantauthorityforthemtoinvestigateandtakeanyenforcementactiondeemed necessary.
EXAMPLE Nwasdirectorofsixcompanies,includingonethatoperatedunderthetradingname CambridgeAnalytica.AllegationswerepublishedinthemediaintheUKandUSaboutthe companies’roleinharvestingdataaboutmillionsofvotersfromsocialmediasitesforuseintheUS 2016presidentialelectioncampaign.Theseallegationscreatedsubstantialadversepublicityand thecompaniesceasedtradingin2018.InMay2018,allsixwentintoadministration,followedby compulsoryliquidationinApril2019.ThisledtoN’sconductbeinginvestigatedbytheInsolvency Service.TheinvestigatorsconcludedthatNhadcausedorpermittedthecompaniestoactwitha lackofcommercialprobity.Theunethicalservicesofferedtoclientsincludedbriberyor“honey trap”stingstouncovercorruption,voterdisengagementcampaigns,obtaininginformationto discreditpoliticalopponentsandspreadinginformationanonymouslyinpoliticalcampaigns.N gaveadisqualificationundertakingfor7years,startingon5October2020.Ingivingthe undertaking,Ndidnotdisputethathehadcausedhiscompaniestoactinthiswayforaperiodof atleast5years(InsolvencyServicepressrelease,24/09/2020). ThegroupwasalsoinvestigatedbytheInformationCommissioner’sOffice(ICO).Poordata practiceswereuncoveredwithinthegroup,includingpersonaldatabeingstoredhaphazardlyand insecurely,andbeingsharedwithotherorganisationswithoutalegitimatepurpose.Oneofthe groupcompanieswasfined£18,000forbreachofanenforcementnotice,howevernofurther actionwastakenagainstthegroupbytheICObecausethecompanieshadceasedtrading. Enforcementactionwastakenagainstothercompaniesinvolvedinhandlingthedatawheredata protectionbreacheswereuncoveredduringtheinvestigation,mostnotably,Facebookreceived themaximumfineof£500,000(ICOblog06/10/2020).
Comment:Asof15February2022,thegroundofunfitnessappliestodirectorsof companiesthatweredissolvedwhilesolvent(see¶4803).TheInsolvencyServicecanin - vestigateconductthatoccurredbefore,aswellasafter,thisdate(s2(14)Rating(Coronavirus) andDirectorsDisqualification(DissolvedCompanies)Act2021).The2022/23periodsaw25di - rectorsbeingdisqualifiedusingthisnewpower.
DISQUALIFICATION475 4825
A.Directorsandsecretaries
Allcompaniesmustkeeparegisterofdirectorsandaregisterofdirectors’residential addresses(ss162,165CA2006).Publiccompaniesandprivatecompaniesthatchooseto haveasecretarymustalsokeeparegisterofsecretaries(s275CA2006).
Allthreeregistersshouldbekeptat(ss162,165,167C,275,279CCA2006;reg3SI2008/ 3006):
–theregisteredoffice; –thecompany’sSAIL;or
–inthecaseofaprivatecompany,onthecentralregisteratCompaniesHouse.
Failuretocomplywiththeserequirementswillrenderthecompanyandanyofficerin defaultliabletoafine
Comment:WhentherelevantprovisionsoftheEconomicCrimeandCorporateTransparencyAct2023comeintoforce,companieswillnolongerberequiredtomaintaintheirown registersofdirectors,directors’addressesorsecretaries(s51EconomicCrimeandCorporate TransparencyAct2023).Thiswillreducetheadministrativeburdenoncompanies,aswellas eliminatingdiscrepanciesbetweentheregisteratCompaniesHouseandcompanies’own localregisters,andhelpingtoensurethatprotectedinformationisnotdisclosed.CompaniesHousewillcontinuetomaintainregistersoftheinformation,socompanieswillstill havetonotifyCompaniesHouseofanychanges.Ascompanieswillnolongerhaveto maintaintheirownregisters,theCA2006provisionsrelatingtothecentralregisterwill thereforeberepealed(Sch2EconomicCrimeandCorporateTransparencyAct2023).
MEMOPOINTS TherelevantCompaniesHouseformsforusing/ceasingtouseaSAILaresetoutat ¶5313.Thoseforusing/ceasingtousethecentralregisterareat¶5320.
1.Contents
Registerofdirectors
Theinformationtoberecordedintheregisterofdirectorsis(ss163,164CA2006;SI2009/ 214):
a.foranindividual: –theirname; –anyformername;
–aserviceaddress,whichcanbethecompany’sregisteredoffice,thedirector’ssolicitor’s officeoranyotheraddress(includingtheirresidentialaddress,iftheywish),aslongasitis somewheredocumentscanbephysicallydeliveredtoandtheirdeliveryacknowledged (reg10SI2008/3000);
–thecountry,stateorpartoftheUKinwhichtheyareusuallyresident; –theirnationality;
–theirbusinessoccupation(ifapplicable);and –theirdateofbirth;or
b.foracorporatedirectororfirm: –itscorporateorfirmname; –itsregisteredorprincipaloffice;and
–particularsoftheregisteronwhichitappearsanditsregistrationnumber(forexample, forcompaniesincorporatedinEnglandandWales,thiswillbeCompaniesHouseandits companyregistrationnumber).Ifthedirectorisanoverseascompany(includingEEAcompanies)theregisterwillhavetostatetheformofthecompany,thelawbywhichitis governedandanyregisteronwhichitappears,togetherwithitsidentificationnumber.
COMPANYRECORDS509
5325 5330
Comment:WhentherelevantprovisionsoftheEconomicCrimeandCorporateTransparencyAct2023comeintoforce,companieswillnolongerhavetokeeptheirownregisterof directors,buttheywillhavetofiledirectors’informationatCompaniesHouse,andkeep thatinformationuptodate(Sch2EconomicCrimeandCorporateTransparencyAct2023). Directors’serviceandusualresidentialaddresseswillhavetobeprovided,buttheirresidentialaddresswillnotbedisclosedtothepublic.Adirector’soccupationwillnolonger havetobeprovided.
IfacorporatedirectorisUK-registered,theircompanyregistrationnumberwillhavetobe provided;ifnot,detailsofitslegalform,thelawbywhichitisgovernedandanyrelevant registrationdetailswillhavetobefiled.
MEMOPOINTS 1.Ifadirectorgivesaserviceaddress,theymustmonitoritregularlybecause documentscanbeservedonthematthataddressforanypurpose(see¶5225).Forexample, someonetakinglegalactionagainstadirectorforareasonunconnectedwiththecompanycan servecourtpapersonthemattheaddressforservicethatappearsonthepublicregister.Itis importantthattheaddressremainsuptodate
2.Inthecaseofacompanyincorporatedonorbefore1October2009,anydirector’saddress whichwasalreadyenteredinthecompany’sregisterofdirectorsisdeemedtobeaservice address(para27Sch2SI2008/2860).See¶5352+forfurtherdiscussionontheprotectionofdirectors’ residentialaddresses.
3.Corporatedirectorsareduetobeabolished,see¶3346.
Thenameofanindividualdirectormeanstheirforenameandsurname.Ifadirectorhasa title(forexample,Lord),thetitlecanbeenteredinsteadof,oraswellas,theforename, surnameorboth.
EXAMPLE JohnSmith
Sir(John)Smith
LordofSmithfield
LordSmithofSmithfield
JohnSmith,LordofSmithfield
Theformernameofanindividualdirectormeansanamebywhichtheywereformerly knownforbusinesspurposes.However,itdoesnothavetobegivenifitwas: –changedorusedbeforethedirector’s16thbirthday; –usedmorethan20yearsago;or –usedbyapeerorothertitledpersonbeforetheyadoptedthetitle.
Althoughdirectors’fulldatesofbirthneedtoberecordedinacompany’sownregisterof directorsandareonrecordatCompaniesHouseaspartoftheappointmentfiling,they cannotbedisclosedtothegeneralpublic(s1087BCA2006).Justthemonthandyearof birtharedisclosedinstead.
However,CompaniesHousecandisclosedirectors’fulldatesofbirthtocreditreference agenciesandcertainpublicbodies,forexampletheSeriousFraudOffice,thepolice, HMRCandvariousregulatorybodies(seeSch1SI2015/1694forthefulllist).
Fulldatesofbirthareavailabletothepublic: –ifthedirector’sdetailswereonCompaniesHouse’sregisterbefore10October2015; –byinspectingthecompany’sownregisterofdirectorsatitsregisteredoffice/SAIL;or –ifthecompanyhaselectedtousethecentralregister,bycarryingoutasearchatCompaniesHouse
Comment:WhentherelevantprovisionsoftheEconomicCrimeandCorporateTransparencyAct2023comeintoforce,companieswillnothavetokeeptheirownregister,butwill havetosubmitdateofbirthinformationtoCompaniesHouse.Asunderthecurrentrules, thedayofbirthwillnotbedisclosedtothepublic(s52EconomicCrimeandCorporate TransparencyAct2023).
510COMPANYRECORDS
5331 5332
