Companies Act 1985

Section 690A.]

[F1 F2 SCHEDULE 21A E+W+S BRANCH REGISTRATION UNDER THE ELEVENTH COMPANY LAW DIRECTIVE (89/666/EEC)

Textual Amendments

F1 Sch. 21A inserted (1.1.1993) by S.I. 1992/3179, reg. 3, Sch. 2 para.3.

F2 Schs. 20-25 repealed (prosp.) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1295, 1300, Sch. 16 and the repeal being partly in force, as to which see individual provisions

Duty to register E+W+S

F3 1 (1) A company shall, within one month of having opened a branch in a part of Great Britain, deliver to the registrar for registration a return in the prescribed form containing—

(a) such particulars about the company as are specified in paragraph 2,

(b) such particulars about the branch as are specified in paragraph 3, and

(c) if the company is one to which section 699AA applies, such particulars in relation to the registration of documents under Schedule 21D as are specified in paragraph 4.

(2) The return shall, except where sub-paragraph (3) below applies, be accompanied by the documents specified in paragraph 5 and, if the company is one to which Part I of Schedule 21D applies, the documents specified in paragraph 6.

(3) This sub-paragraph applies where—

(a) at the time the return is delivered, the company has another branch in the United Kingdom,

(b) the return contains a statement to the effect that the documents specified in paragraph 5, and, if the company is one to which Part I of Schedule 21D applies, paragraph 6, are included in the material registered in respect of the other branch, and

(c) the return states where the other branch is registered and what is its registered number.

(4) In sub-paragraph (1) above, the reference to having opened a branch in a part of Great Britain includes a reference to a branch having become situated there on ceasing to be situated elsewhere.

(5) If at the date on which the company opens the branch in Great Britain the company is subject to any proceedings referred to in section 703P(1) (winding up) or 703Q(1) (insolvency proceedings etc), the company shall deliver a return under section 703P(1) or (as the case may be) 703Q(1) within one month of that date.

If on or before that date a person has been appointed to be liquidator of the company and continues in that office at that date, section 703P(3) and (4) (liquidator to make return within 14 days of appointment) shall have effect as if it required a return to be made under that section within one month of the date of the branch being opened.

Textual Amendments

F3 Sch. 21A inserted (1.1.1993) by S.I. 1992/3179, reg. 3, Sch. 2 para.3.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Sch. 21A para. 1(1) modified (1.1.1993) by S.I. 1992/3179, reg. 5, Sch. 4 para. 1(3).

C2 Sch. 21A para. 1(2) modified (1.1.1993) by S.I. 1992/3179, reg. 5, Sch. 4 para. 8(2).

Particulars required E+W+S

F4 2 (1) The particulars referred to in paragraph 1(1)(a) are—

(a) the corporate name of the company,

(b) its legal form,

(c) if it is registered in the country of its incorporation, the identity of the register in which it is registered and the number with which it is so registered,

(d) a list of its directors and secretary, containing [F5 (subject to paragraph 4A)]—

(i) with respect to each director, the particulars specified in sub-paragraph (3) below, and

(ii) with respect to the secretary (or where there are joint secretaries, with respect to each of them) the particulars specified in sub-paragraph (4) below,

(e) the extent of the powers of the directors to represent the company in dealings with third parties and in legal proceedings, together with a statement as to whether they may act alone or must act jointly and, if jointly, the name of any other person concerned, and

(f) whether the company is an institution to which section 699A (or the equivalent provision in Northern Ireland) applies.

(2) In the case of a company which is not incorporated in a Member State, those particulars also include—

(a) the law under which the company is incorporated,

(b) in the case of a company to which either paragraphs 2 and 3 of Part I of Schedule 21C or Schedule 21D applies) the period for which the company is required by the law under which it is incorporated to prepare accounts, together with the period allowed for the preparation and public disclosure of accounts for such a period, and

(c) unless disclosed by the documents specified in paragraph 5—

(i) the address of its principal place of business in its country of incorporation,

(ii) its objects, and

(iii) the amount of its issued share capital.

(3) The particulars referred to in sub-paragraph (1)(d)(i) above are—

(a) in the case of an individual—

(i) his name,

(ii) any former name,

(iii) his usual residential address,

(iv) his nationality,

(v) his business occupation (if any),

(vi) particulars of any other directorships held by him, and

(vii) his date of birth;

(b) in the case of a corporation or Scottish firm, its corporate or firm name and registered or principal office.

(4) The particulars referred to in sub-paragraph (1)(d)(ii) above are—

(a) in the case of an individual, his name, any former name and his usual residential address;

(b) in the case of a corporation or Scottish firm, its corporate or firm name and registered or principal office.

Where all the partners in a firm are joint secretaries of the company, the name and principal office of the firm may be stated instead of the particulars required by paragraph (a) above.

(5) In sub-paragraphs (3)(a) and (4)(a) above—

(a) “name” means a person’s forename and surname, except that in the case of a peer, or an individual usually known by a title, the title may be stated instead of his forename and surname, or in addition to either or both of them; and

(b) the reference to a former name does not include—

(i) in the case of a peer, or an individual normally known by a title, the name by which he was known previous to the adoption of or succession to the title;

(ii) in the case of any person, a former name which was changed or disused before he attained the age of 18 years or which has been changed or disused for 20 years or more;

(iii) in the case of a married woman, the name by which she was known previous to the marriage.

(6) Where—

(a) at the time a return is delivered under paragraph 1(1) the company has another branch in the same part of Great Britain as the branch covered by the return; and

(b) the company has delivered the particulars required by sub-paragraphs (1)(b) to (f) and (2) to (5) to the registrar with respect to that branch (or to the extent it is required to do so by virtue of Schedule 21B to this Act) and has no outstanding obligation to make a return to the registrar in respect of that branch under paragraph 7 in relation to any alteration to those particulars,

the company may adopt the particulars so delivered as particulars which the registrar is to treat as having been filed by the return by referring in the return to the fact that the particulars have been filed in respect of that other branch and giving the number with which the other branch is registered.

Textual Amendments

F4 Sch. 21A inserted (1.1.1993) by S.I. 1992/3179, reg. 3, Sch. 2 para.3.

F5 Words in Sch. 21A para. 2(1)(d) inserted (2.4.2002) by The Companies (Particulars of Usual Residential Address) (Confidentiality Orders) Regulations 2002 (S.I. 2002/912), reg. 16, Sch. 2 para. 8(2)

F6 3 The particulars referred to in paragraph 1(1)(b) are—

(a) the address of the branch,

(b) the date on which it was opened,

(c) the business carried on at it,

(d) if different from the name of the company, the name in which that business is carried on,

(e) a list of the names and addresses of all persons resident in Great Britain authorised to accept on the company’s behalf service of process in respect of the business of the branch and of any notices required to be served on the company in respect of the business of the branch,

(f) a list of the names and [F7 (subject to paragraph 4A)] usual residential addresses of all persons authorised to represent the company as permanent representatives of the company for the business of the branch,

(g) the extent of the authority of any person falling within paragraph (f) above, including whether that person is authorised to act alone or jointly, and

(h) if a person falling within paragraph (f) above is not authorised to act alone, the name of any person with whom he is authorised to act.

Textual Amendments

F6 Sch. 21A inserted (1.1.1993) by S.I. 1992/3179, reg. 3, Sch. 2 para.3.

F7 Words in Sch. 21A para. 3(f) inserted (2.4.2002) by The Companies (Particulars of Usual Residential Address) (Confidentiality Orders) Regulations 2002 (S.I. 2002/912), reg. 16, Sch. 2 para. 8(2)

F8 4 The particulars referred to in paragraph 1(1)(c) are—

(a) whether it is intended to register documents under paragraph 2(2) or, as the case may be, 10(1) of Schedule 21D in respect of the branch or in respect of some other branch in the United Kingdom, and

(b) if it is, where that other branch is registered and what is its registered number.

Textual Amendments

F8 Sch. 21A inserted (1.1.1993) by S.I. 1992/3179, reg. 3, Sch. 2 para.3.

4A Where a confidentiality order made under section 723B is in force in respect of a director or secretary required to be specified in the list under paragraph 2(1)(d) or a permanent representative required to be specified in the list under paragraph 3(f)—

(a) if the order is in respect of a director, paragraph 2(1)(d) has effect in respect of that director as if the reference in paragraph 2(3)(a)(iii) to his usual residential address were a reference to the address for the time being notified by him to the company under regulations made under sections 723B to 723F;

(b) if the order is in respect of a secretary, paragraph 2(1)(d) has effect in respect of that secretary as if the reference in paragraph 2(4)(a) to his usual residential address were a reference to the address for the time being notified by him to the company under such regulations;

(c) if the order is in respect of a permanent representative, paragraph 3(f) has effect in respect of that representative as if the reference to his usual residential address were a reference to the address for the time being notified by him to the company under such regulations; and

(d) in any case the company shall deliver to the registrar, in addition to the return required by paragraph 1(1) a return in the prescribed form containing particulars of the usual residential address of the director, secretary or permanent representative to whom the confidentiality order relates, and any such return shall be delivered to the registrar within one month of having opened a branch in a part of Great Britain.

Documents required E+W+S

F9 5 The first documents referred to in paragraph 1(2) are—

(a) a certified copy of the charter, statutes or memorandum and articles of the company (or other instrument constituting or defining the company’s constitution), and

(b) if any of the documents mentioned in paragraph (a) above is not written in the English language, a translation of it into English certified in the prescribed manner to be a correct translation.

Textual Amendments

F9 Sch. 21A inserted (1.1.1993) by S.I. 1992/3179, reg. 3, Sch. 2 para.3.

F10 6 (1) The second documents referred to in paragraph 1(2) are—

(a) copies of the latest accounting documents prepared in relation to a financial period of the company to have been publicly disclosed in accordance with the law of the country in which it is incorporated before the end of the period allowed for compliance with paragraph 1 in respect of the branch or, if earlier, the date on which the company complies withparagraph 1 in respect of the branch, and

(b) if any of the documents mentioned in paragraph (a) above is not written in the English language, a translation of it into English certified in the prescribed manner to be a correct translation.

(2) In sub-paragraph (1)(a) above, “financial period” and “accounting documents” shall be construed in accordance with paragraph 6 of Schedule 21D.

Textual Amendments

F10 Sch. 21A inserted (1.1.1993) by S.I. 1992/3179, reg. 3, Sch. 2 para.3.

Alterations E+W+S

F11 7 (1) If, after a company has delivered a return under paragraph 1(1) above, any alteration is made in—

(a) its charter, statutes or memorandum and articles (or other instrument constituting or defining its constitution), or

(b) any of the particulars referred to in paragraph 1(1),

the company shall, within the time specified below, deliver to the registrar for registration a return in the prescribed form containing the prescribed particulars of the alteration.

In the case of an alteration in any of the documents referred to in paragraph (a), the return shall be accompanied by a certified copy of the document as altered, together with, if the document is not written in the English language, a translation of it into English certified in the prescribed manner to be a correct translation.

(2) The time for the delivery of the return required by sub-paragraph (1) above is—

(a) in the case of an alteration in any of the particulars specified in paragraph 3, 21 days after the alteration is made; or

(b) in the case of any other alteration, 21 days after the date on which notice of the alteration in question could have been received in Great Britain in due course of post (if despatched with due diligence).

(3) Where—

(a) a company has more than one branch in Great Britain, and

(b) an alteration relates to more than one of those branches,

sub-paragraph (1) above shall have effect to require the company to deliver a return in respect of each of the branches to which the alteration relates.

(4) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (3) above—

(a) an alteration in any of the particulars specified in paragraph 2 shall be treated as relating to every branch of the company (though where the company has more than one branch in a part of Great Britain a return in respect of an alteration in any of those particulars which gives the branch numbers of two or more such branches shall be treated as a return in respect of each branch whose number is given), but

(b) an alteration in the company’s charter, statutes or memorandum and articles (or other instrument constituting or defining its constitution) shall only be treated as relating to a branch if the document altered is included in the material registered in respect of it.

Textual Amendments

F11 Sch. 21A inserted (1.1.1993) by S.I. 1992/3179, reg. 3, Sch. 2 para.3.

F12 8 (1) Sub-paragraph (2) below applies where—

(a) a company’s return under paragraph 1(1) includes a statement to the effect mentioned in paragraph 1(3)(b), and

(b) the statement ceases to be true so far as concerns the documents specified in paragraph 5.

(2) The company shall, within the time specified below, deliver to the registrar of companies for registration in respect of the branch to which the return relates—

(a) the documents specified in paragraph 5, or

(b) a return in the prescribed form—

(i) containing a statement to the effect that those documents are included in the material which is registered in respect of another branch of the company in the United Kingdom, and

(ii) stating where the other branch is registered and what is its registered number.

(3) The time for complying with sub-paragraph (2) above is 21 days after the date on which notice of the fact that the statement in the earlier return has ceased to be true could have been received in Great Britain in due course of post (if despatched with due diligence).

(4) Sub-paragraph (2) above shall also apply where, after a company has made a return under sub-paragraph (2)(b) above, the statement to the effect mentioned in sub-paragraph (2)(b)(i) ceases to be true.

(5) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (2)(b), where the company has more than one branch in a part of Great Britain a return which gives the branch numbers of two or more such branches shall be treated as a return in respect of each branch whose number is given.

Textual Amendments

F12 Sch. 21A inserted (1.1.1993) by S.I. 1992/3179, reg. 3, Sch. 2 para.3.

9 (1) If an individual in respect of whom a confidentiality order under section 723B is in force becomes a director, secretary or permanent representative of a company that has delivered a return under paragraph 1(1)—

(a) the return required to be delivered to the registrar under paragraph 7(1) shall contain the address for the time being notified to the company by the director, secretary or permanent representative under regulations made under sections 723B to 723F, but shall not contain his usual residential address; and

(b) with the return under paragraph 7(1) the company shall deliver to the registrar a return in the prescribed form containing the usual residential address of that director, secretary or permanent representative.

(2) If after a company has delivered a return under paragraph 1(1) a confidentiality order under section 723B is made in respect of an existing director, secretary or permanent representative of the company, the company shall within the time specified below deliver to the registrar of companies for registration a return in the prescribed form containing the address for the time being notified to it by the director, secretary or permanent representative under regulations made under sections 723B to 723F.

(3) Sub-paragraph (4) applies if, at any time after a company has delivered a return under paragraph 1(1), there is an alteration in the usual residential address of a director, secretary or permanent representative of the company in respect of whom a confidentiality order under section 723B is in force.

(4) The company shall within the time specified below deliver to the registrar of companies for registration a return in the prescribed form containing the new address.

(5) The time for the delivery of a return required by sub-paragraph (2) or (4) is 21 days after the date on which notice of the alteration in question could have been received in Great Britain in due course of post (if despatched with due diligence).

(6) Where a company has more than one branch in Great Britain and any provision of this paragraph requires a return to be made to the registrar, that provision requires the company to deliver a return in respect of each of the branches; but a return which gives the branch numbers of two or more such branches shall be treated as a return in respect of each branch whose number is given.