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Companies Act 2006

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Point in time view as at 08/01/2024.

Changes to legislation:

Companies Act 2006, PART 21A is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 19 November 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations. Help about Changes to Legislation

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[F1PART 21AU.K.Information about people with significant control

Textual Amendments

F1Pt. 21A inserted (26.5.2015 for specified purposes, 6.4.2016 except for the insertion of ss. 790M(9)(c), 790W-790ZE and 30.6.2016 so far as not already in force) by Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 (c. 26), s. 164(1), Sch. 3 para. 1; S.I. 2015/1329, reg. 3(a); S.I. 2015/2029, regs. 4(a), 5(a)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1Pts. 1-39 modified (31.12.2020) by Regulation (EC) No. 2157/2001, Art. AAA1(3) (as inserted by The European Public Limited-Liability Company (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/1298), regs. 1, 97 (with regs. 140-145) (as amended by S.I. 2020/523, regs. 1(2), 5(a)-(f)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1))

CHAPTER 1U.K.Introduction

790A OverviewU.K.

This Part is arranged as follows—

(a)the remaining provisions of this Chapter identify the companies to which this Part applies and explain some key terms, including what it means to have “significant control” over a company,

(b)Chapter 2 imposes duties on companies to gather information, and on others to supply information, to enable companies to [F2keep the register required by Chapter 3] [F2notify the registrar of the information in accordance with Chapter 2A],

[F3(c)Chapter 3 requires companies to keep a register, referred to as a register of people with significant control over the company, and to make the register available to the public,

(d)Chapter 4 gives private companies the option of using an alternative method of record-keeping, and]

[F3(c)Chapter 2A requires companies to notify the registrar of information relating to persons with significant control;]

(e)Chapter 5 makes provision for excluding certain material from the information available to the public.

Textual Amendments

F2Words in s. 790A(b) substituted (26.10.2023 but only so far as it confers a power to make regulations or relates to the exercise of the power, otherwise prosp.) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), s. 219(1)(2)(b), Sch. 2 para. 8(a)

F3S. 790A(c) substituted for s. 790A(c)(d) (26.10.2023 for specified purposes, 4.3.2024 for specified purposes) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), s. 219(1)(2)(b), Sch. 2 para. 8(b); S.I. 2024/269, reg. 2(z10)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2S. 790A applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2009/1804, reg. 31A (as inserted (6.4.2016) by The Limited Liability Partnerships (Register of People with Significant Control) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/340), regs. 1(3), 3, Sch. 1)

790BCompanies to which this Part appliesU.K.

(1)This Part applies to companies other than—

[F4(a)companies with voting shares admitted to trading on a [F5UK regulated market or an EU regulated market], and]

(b)companies of any description specified by the Secretary of State by regulations.

(2)In deciding whether to specify a description of company, the Secretary of State is to have regard to the extent to which companies of that description are bound by disclosure and transparency rules (in the United Kingdom or elsewhere) [F6which are contained in international standards and are equivalent to those applicable to companies referred to in subsection (1)(a)] .

F7(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4)Regulations under this section are subject to affirmative resolution procedure.

[F8(5)In this section—

  • “voting shares” means shares carrying voting rights;

  • “voting rights” means rights to vote at general meetings of the company in question, including rights that arise only in certain circumstances.]

Textual Amendments

790C Key termsU.K.

(1)This section explains some key terms used in this Part.

(2)References to a person with (or having) “significant control” over a company are to an individual who meets one or more of the specified conditions in relation to the company.

(3)The “specified conditions” are those specified in Part 1 of Schedule 1A.

(4) Individuals with significant control over a company are either “registrable” or “ non-registrable ” in relation to the company—

[F9(a)they are “non-registrable” if they do not hold any interest in the company except through one or more legal entities over each of which they have significant control and—

(i)as respects any shares or right in the company which they hold indirectly as described in paragraph 9(1)(b)(i) of Schedule 1A, the legal entity through which the shares or right are held is a relevant legal entity in relation to the company; and

(ii)as respects any shares or right in the company which they hold indirectly as described in paragraph 9(1)(b)(ii) of Schedule 1A, at least one of the legal entities in the chain is a relevant legal entity in relation to the company]

(b)otherwise, they are “registrable”,

and references to a “ registrable person ” in relation to a company are to an individual with significant control over the company who is registrable in relation to that company.

(5)A “legal entity” is a body corporate or a firm that is a legal person under the law by which it is governed.

(6)In relation to a company, a legal entity is a “relevant legal entity” if—

(a)it would have come within the definition of a person with significant control over the company if it had been an individual, and

(b)it is subject to its own disclosure requirements.

(7)A legal entity is “subject to its own disclosure requirements” if—

(a)this Part applies to it (whether by virtue of section 790B or another enactment that extends the application of this Part),

[F10(aa)it is an eligible Scottish partnership within the meaning of regulation 3(2) of the Scottish Partnerships (Register of People with Significant Control) Regulations 2017.]

[F11(b)it has voting shares admitted to trading on a [F12UK regulated market or an EU regulated market,]]

(c)it is of a description specified in regulations under section 790B (or that section as extended), or

(d)it is of a description specified by the Secretary of State by regulations made under this paragraph.

(8) A relevant legal entity is either “registrable” or “ non-registrable ” in relation to a company—

[F13(a)it is “non-registrable” if it does not hold any interest in the company except through one or more other legal entities over each of which it has significant control and—

(i)as respects any shares or right in the company which it holds indirectly as described in paragraph 9(1)(b)(i) of Schedule 1A, the legal entity through which the shares or right are held is also a relevant legal entity in relation to the company; and

(ii)as respects any shares or right in the company which it holds indirectly as described in paragraph 9(1)(b)(ii) of Schedule 1A, at least one of the legal entities in the chain is also a relevant legal entity in relation to the company;]

(b)otherwise, it is “registrable”,

and references to a “ registrable relevant legal entity ” in relation to a company are to a relevant legal entity which is registrable in relation to that company.

(9)For the purposes of subsections (4) and (8)—

(a)whether someone—

(i)holds an interest in a company, or

(ii)holds that interest through another legal entity,

is to be determined in accordance with Part 2 of Schedule 1A;

(b)whether someone has significant control over that other legal entity is to be determined in accordance with subsections (2) and (3) and Part 1 of Schedule 1A, reading references in those provisions to the company as references to that other entity.

[F14(10)The register that a company is required to keep under section 790M (register of people with significant control over a company) is referred to as the company's “PSC register”.]

(11)In deciding whether to specify a description of legal entity under paragraph (d) of subsection (7), the Secretary of State is to have regard to the extent to which entities of that description are bound by disclosure and transparency rules (in the United Kingdom or elsewhere) [F15equivalent] to the ones applying to an entity falling within any other paragraph of that subsection.

(12)Subject to express provision in this Part and to any modification prescribed by regulations under this subsection, this Part is to be read and have effect as if each of the following were an individual, even if they are legal persons under the laws by which they are governed—

(a)a corporation sole,

(b)a government or government department of a country or territory or a part of a country or territory,

(c)an international organisation whose members include two or more countries or territories (or their governments),

(d)a local authority or local government body in the United Kingdom or elsewhere.

(13)Regulations under subsection (7)(d) are subject to affirmative resolution procedure.

(14)Subject to subsection (13), regulations under this section are subject to negative resolution procedure.

[F16(15)In this section “voting shares” has the same meaning as in section 790B.]

Textual Amendments

F14S. 790C(10) omitted (26.10.2023 but only so far as it confers a power to make regulations or relates to the exercise of the power, otherwise prosp.) by virtue of Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), s. 219(1)(2)(b), Sch. 2 para. 9

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C3Ss. 790C-790K applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2009/2436, Sch. 1 para. 12A (as inserted (26.6.2017) by The Information about People with Significant Control (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/693), regs. 2, 33 (with Sch. Pt. 3))

C5S. 790C(7) amendment to earlier affecting provision S.I. 2009/1804, reg. 31B (26.6.2017) by The Scottish Partnerships (Register of People with Significant Control) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/694), regs. 1(1), 79 (with reg. 80)

[F17790CAReferences to “confirmation” etc of informationU.K.

For the purposes of this Part a company has had confirmation of—

(a)a person’s status as a registrable person or a registrable relevant legal entity in relation to the company,

(b)the required particulars of a person (see section 790K), or

(c)any other information about a person,

if the person has supplied that information to the company whether or not in pursuance of any duty imposed by this Part (and references to a company obtaining confirmation of information are to be read accordingly).]

Textual Amendments

F17S. 790CA inserted (26.10.2023 but only so far as it confers a power to make regulations or relates to the exercise of the power, otherwise prosp.) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), s. 219(1)(2)(b), Sch. 2 para. 10

CHAPTER 2U.K.Information-gathering

Duty on companiesU.K.

[F18790CBDuty to find out about persons with significant controlU.K.

A company to which this Part applies must take reasonable steps to find out if there is anyone who is a registrable person or a registrable relevant legal entity in relation to the company and, if so, to identify them.]

Textual Amendments

F18Ss. 790CB-790EC substituted for ss. 790D, 790E (26.10.2023 for specified purposes, 4.3.2024 for specified purposes) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), s. 219(1)(2)(b), Sch. 2 para. 11; S.I. 2024/269, reg. 2(z10)

790D [F18Company's duty to investigate and obtain information][F18Company’s duty to give notices to persons with significant control]U.K.

[F18(1)A company to which this Part applies must take reasonable steps—

(a)to find out if there is anyone who is a registrable person or a registrable relevant legal entity in relation to the company, and

(b)if so, to identify them.

(2)Without limiting subsection (1), a company to which this Part applies must give notice to anyone whom it knows or has reasonable cause to believe to be a registrable person or a registrable relevant legal entity in relation to it.

(3)The notice, if addressed to an individual, must require the addressee—

(a)to state whether or not he or she is a registrable person in relation to the company (within the meaning of this Part), and

(b)if so, to confirm or correct any particulars of his or hers that are included in the notice, and supply any that are missing.

(4)The notice, if addressed to a legal entity, must require the addressee—

(a)to state whether or not it is a registrable relevant legal entity in relation to the company (within the meaning of this Part), and

(b)if so, to confirm or correct any of its particulars that are included in the notice, and supply any that are missing.

(5)A company to which this Part applies may also give notice to a person under this section if it knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the person—

(a)knows the identity of someone who falls within subsection (6), or

(b)knows the identity of someone likely to have that knowledge.

(6)The persons who fall within this subsection are—

(a)any registrable person in relation to the company;

(b)any relevant legal entity in relation to the company;

(c)any entity which would be a relevant legal entity in relation to the company but for the fact that section 790C(6)(b) does not apply in respect of it.

(7)A notice under subsection (5) may require the addressee—

(a)to state whether or not the addressee knows the identity of—

(i)any person who falls within subsection (6), or

(ii)any person likely to have that knowledge, and

(b)if so, to supply any particulars of theirs that are within the addressee's knowledge, and state whether or not the particulars are being supplied with the knowledge of each of the persons concerned.

(8)A notice under this section must state that the addressee is to comply with the notice by no later than the end of the period of one month beginning with the date of the notice.

(9)The Secretary of State may by regulations make further provision about the giving of notices under this section, including the form and content of any such notices and the manner in which they must be given.

(10)Regulations under subsection (9) are subject to negative resolution procedure.

(11)A company is not required to take steps or give notice under this section with respect to a registrable person or registrable relevant legal entity if—

(a)the company has already been informed of the person's status as a registrable person or registrable relevant legal entity in relation to it, and been supplied with all the particulars, and

(b)in the case of a registrable person, the information and particulars were provided either by the person concerned or with his or her knowledge.

(12)A person to whom a notice under subsection (5) is given is not required by that notice to disclose any information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege (in Scotland, to confidentiality of communications) could be maintained in legal proceedings.

(13)In this section—

(a)a reference to knowing the identity of a person includes knowing information from which that person can be identified, and

(b)“ particulars ” means—

(i)in the case of a registrable person or a registrable relevant legal entity, the required particulars (see section 790K), and

(ii)in any other case, any particulars that will allow the person to be contacted by the company.]

[F18(1)A company to which this Part applies must give a notice to a person under this section if—

(a)the company knows or has cause to believe that the person is a registrable person or a registrable relevant legal entity in relation to the company, but

(b)the company has not had confirmation of the person’s status as a registrable person or registrable relevant legal entity or has not had confirmation of all of the required particulars of the person (see section 790K).

(2)The notice must require the person—

(a)to inform the company whether the person is a registrable person or a registrable relevant legal entity in relation to the company, and

(b)if they are, to give the company all of the required particulars of the person (see section 790K).

(3)The notice must require the person to whom it is given to comply with the notice by no later than the end of the period of one month beginning with the day on which it is given.

(4)The company must give the notice—

(a)as soon as reasonably practicable after the company becomes subject to the duty to give a notice under this section, and

(b)in any event before the end of the period of 14 days beginning with the day on which the company becomes so subject.

(5)A company is not required to give a notice under this section to a person if—

(a)the application for the registration of the company contained a statement of initial significant control naming the person as someone who would, on the company’s incorporation, become a registrable person or a registrable relevant legal entity in relation to the company, and

(b)the company has no cause to believe that at any time since its incorporation the person has ceased to be a registrable person or a registrable relevant legal entity in relation to the company.

(6)The Secretary of State may by regulations make further provision about the giving of notices under this section, including provision about their form and content and the manner in which they must be given.

(7)Regulations under subsection (6) are subject to negative resolution procedure.]

Textual Amendments

F18Ss. 790CB-790EC substituted for ss. 790D, 790E (26.10.2023 for specified purposes, 4.3.2024 for specified purposes) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), s. 219(1)(2)(b), Sch. 2 para. 11; S.I. 2024/269, reg. 2(z10)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C3Ss. 790C-790K applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2009/2436, Sch. 1 para. 12A (as inserted (26.6.2017) by The Information about People with Significant Control (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/693), regs. 2, 33 (with Sch. Pt. 3))

[F18790DAObtaining information from third partiesU.K.

(1)A company to which this Part applies may give a notice to a person under this section if it knows or has cause to believe that the person—

(a)knows the identity of someone who falls within subsection (2), or

(b)knows the identity of someone likely to have that knowledge.

(2)The persons who fall within this subsection are—

(a)a registrable person in relation to the company;

(b)a relevant legal entity in relation to the company;

(c)an entity which would be a relevant legal entity in relation to the company but for the fact that section 790C(6)(b) does not apply in respect of it.

(3)A company must give a notice under subsection (1) to a person (“a third party”) if the company—

(a)knows or has cause to believe that a person is a registrable person or a registrable relevant legal entity in relation to the company (“a suspected PSC”),

(b)is under a duty to give the suspected PSC a notice under section 790D but does not have the information that it needs in order to contact them, and

(c)knows or has cause to believe that the third party—

(i)knows the identity of the suspected PSC, or

(ii)knows the identity of someone likely to have that knowledge.

(4)A notice under subsection (1) must require the person to whom it is given (“the recipient”)—

(a)to inform the company whether the recipient knows the identity of any person who—

(i)falls within subsection (2), or

(ii)is likely to know the identity of anyone who falls within subsection (2), and

(b)if the recipient does, to give the company any information within the recipient’s knowledge that would allow the company to contact each such person.

(5)The notice must require the person to whom it is given to comply with the notice by no later than the end of the period of one month beginning with the day on which it is given.

(6)A person to whom a notice under subsection (1) is given is not required by that notice to disclose any information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege (in Scotland, to confidentiality of communications) could be maintained in legal proceedings.

(7)The Secretary of State may by regulations make further provision about the giving of notices under this section, including provision about their form and content and the manner in which they must be given.

(8)Regulations under subsection (7) are subject to negative resolution procedure.

(9)In this section a reference to knowing the identity of a person includes knowing information from which that person can be identified.]

Textual Amendments

F18Ss. 790CB-790EC substituted for ss. 790D, 790E (26.10.2023 for specified purposes, 4.3.2024 for specified purposes) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), s. 219(1)(2)(b), Sch. 2 para. 11; S.I. 2024/269, reg. 2(z10)

790E [F18Company's duty to keep information up-to-date][F18Company’s duty to find out about changes in PSC information]U.K.

[F18(1)This section applies if particulars of a registrable person or registrable relevant legal entity are stated in a company's PSC register.

(2)The company must give notice to the person or entity if the company knows or has reasonable cause to believe that a relevant change has occurred.

(3)In the case of a registrable person, a “relevant change” occurs if—

(a)the person ceases to be a registrable person in relation to the company, or

(b)any other change occurs as a result of which the particulars stated for the person in the PSC register are incorrect or incomplete.

(4)In the case of a registrable relevant legal entity, a “relevant change” occurs if—

(a)the entity ceases to be a registrable relevant legal entity in relation to the company, or

(b)any other change occurs as a result of which the particulars stated for the entity in the PSC register are incorrect or incomplete.

(5)The company must give the notice

[F19(a)]as soon as reasonably practicable[F20, and

(b)in any event before the end of the period of 14 days beginning with the earlier of the day] after it learns of the change [F21and the day after it] first has reasonable cause to believe that the change has occurred.

(6)The notice must require the addressee—

(a)to confirm whether or not the change has occurred, and

(b)if so—

(i)to state the date of the change, and

(ii)to confirm or correct the particulars included in the notice, and supply any that are missing from the notice.

(7)Subsections (8) to (10) of section 790D apply to notices under this section as to notices under that section.

(8)A company is not required to give notice under this section if—

(a)the company has already been informed of the relevant change, and

(b)in the case of a registrable person, that information was provided either by the person concerned or with his or her knowledge.]

[F18(1)This section applies if a company—

(a)knows or has cause to believe that there has been a change in the required particulars of a registrable person or a registrable relevant legal entity in relation to the company (see section 790K), but

(b)has not had confirmation that the change has occurred or has not had confirmation of all of the information that the company would need to include in a notice of the change under section 790LD(1) or 790LE(1).

(2)The company must give the person a notice requiring the person—

(a)to inform the company whether the change has occurred, and

(b)if it has, to give the company the information that the company would need to include in a notice of the change under section 790LD(1) or 790LE(1).

(3)The notice must require the person to whom it is given to comply with the notice by no later than the end of the period of one month beginning with the day on which it is given.

(4)The company must give the notice—

(a)as soon as reasonably practicable after the company becomes subject to the duty to give a notice under subsection (2), and

(b)in any event before the end of the period of 14 days beginning with the day on which the company becomes so subject.

(5)The Secretary of State may by regulations make further provision about the giving of notices under this section, including provision about their form and content and the manner in which they must be given.

(6)Regulations under subsection (5) are subject to negative resolution procedure.]

Textual Amendments

F18Ss. 790CB-790EC substituted for ss. 790D, 790E (26.10.2023 for specified purposes, 4.3.2024 for specified purposes) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), s. 219(1)(2)(b), Sch. 2 para. 11; S.I. 2024/269, reg. 2(z10)

F19Words in s. 790E(5) renumbered as s. 790E(5)(a) (26.6.2017) by The Information about People with Significant Control (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/693), regs. 2, 7(a) (with Sch. Pt. 1)

F20S. 790E(5)(b) and word inserted (26.6.2017) by The Information about People with Significant Control (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/693), regs. 2, 7(b) (with Sch. Pt. 1)

F21Words in s. 790E(5) substituted (26.6.2017) by The Information about People with Significant Control (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/693), regs. 2, 7(c) (with Sch. Pt. 1)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C3Ss. 790C-790K applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2009/2436, Sch. 1 para. 12A (as inserted (26.6.2017) by The Information about People with Significant Control (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/693), regs. 2, 33 (with Sch. Pt. 3))

[F18790EACompany’s duty to find out about persons ceasing to be PSCsU.K.

(1)This section applies if a company —

(a)knows or has cause to believe that a person has ceased to be a registrable person or a registrable relevant legal entity in relation to the company, but

(b)has not had confirmation that the person has ceased to be a registrable person or a registrable relevant legal entity in relation to the company or has not had confirmation of the date on which the person so ceased.

(2)The company must give the person a notice requiring the person—

(a)to inform the company whether the person has ceased to be a registrable person or a registrable relevant legal entity in relation to the company, and

(b)if the person has, to inform the company of the date on which the person so ceased.

(3)The notice must require the person to whom it is given to comply with the notice by no later than the end of the period of one month beginning with the day on which it is given.

(4)The company must give the notice—

(a)as soon as reasonably practicable after the company becomes subject to the duty under subsection (2), and

(b)in any event before the end of the period of 14 days beginning with the day on which the company becomes so subject.

(5)The Secretary of State may by regulations make further provision about the giving of notices under this section, including provision about their form and content and the manner in which they must be given.

(6)Regulations under subsection (5) are subject to negative resolution procedure.]

Textual Amendments

F18Ss. 790CB-790EC substituted for ss. 790D, 790E (26.10.2023 for specified purposes, 4.3.2024 for specified purposes) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), s. 219(1)(2)(b), Sch. 2 para. 11; S.I. 2024/269, reg. 2(z10)

[F18790EBCompany’s duty to notify failure to comply with noticesU.K.

(1)A company must notify the registrar if a person fails to comply with a notice given by the company under section 790D, 790DA, 790E or 790EA within the period specified in it.

(2)The notice must be given within the period of 14 days beginning with the end of the period specified in the notice under section 790D, 790DA, 790E or 790EA.]

Textual Amendments

F18Ss. 790CB-790EC substituted for ss. 790D, 790E (26.10.2023 for specified purposes, 4.3.2024 for specified purposes) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), s. 219(1)(2)(b), Sch. 2 para. 11; S.I. 2024/269, reg. 2(z10)

[F18790ECCompany’s duty to notify of late compliance with noticesU.K.

(1)A company must notify the registrar if a person who has failed to comply with a notice given by the company under section 790D, 790DA, 790E or 790EA within the period specified in it subsequently complies.

(2)The notice must be given within the period of 14 days beginning with the day on which the person complied with the notice under section 790D, 790DA, 790E or 790EA.]

Textual Amendments

F18Ss. 790CB-790EC substituted for ss. 790D, 790E (26.10.2023 for specified purposes, 4.3.2024 for specified purposes) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), s. 219(1)(2)(b), Sch. 2 para. 11; S.I. 2024/269, reg. 2(z10)

790F Failure by company to comply with information dutiesU.K.

[F22(1)If a company fails to comply with a duty under section 790D or 790E to take steps or give notice, an offence is committed by—

(a)the company, and

(b)every officer of the company who is in default.]

[F22(1)If a company fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with a duty under section 790CB, 790D, 790DA(3), 790E, 790EA, 790EB or 790EC to take steps or give a notice, an offence is committed by—

(a)the company, and

(b)every officer of the company who is in default.]

(2)A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable—

(a)on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or a fine (or both);

(b)on summary conviction—

(i)in England and Wales, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or a fine (or both);

(ii)in Scotland, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum (or both);

(iii)in Northern Ireland, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum (or both).

Textual Amendments

F22S. 790F(1) substituted (26.10.2023 but only so far as it confers a power to make regulations or relates to the exercise of the power, otherwise prosp.) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), s. 219(1)(2)(b), Sch. 2 para. 11

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C3Ss. 790C-790K applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2009/2436, Sch. 1 para. 12A (as inserted (26.6.2017) by The Information about People with Significant Control (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/693), regs. 2, 33 (with Sch. Pt. 3))

Duty on othersU.K.

790G [F23Duty to supply information] [F23Duty to notify company on becoming PSC]U.K.

[F23(1)This section applies to a person if—

(a)the person is a registrable person or a registrable relevant legal entity in relation to a company,

(b)the person knows that to be the case or ought reasonably to do so,

(c)the required particulars of the person are not stated in the company's PSC register,

(d)the person has not received notice from the company under section 790D(2), and

(e)the circumstances described in paragraphs (a) to (d) have continued for a period of at least one month.

(2)The person must—

(a)notify the company of the person's status (as a registrable person or registrable relevant legal entity) in relation to the company,

(b)state the date, to the best of the person's knowledge, on which the person acquired that status, and

(c)give the company the required particulars (see section 790K).

(3)The duty under subsection (2) must be complied with by the end of the period of one month beginning with the day on which all the conditions in subsection (1)(a) to (e) were first met with respect to the person.]

[F23(1)This section applies to a person if—

(a)the person knows that they are a registrable person or a registrable relevant legal entity in relation to a company,

(b)the material in the register that is available for public inspection does not indicate the person’s status as a registrable person or registrable relevant legal entity in relation to the company, and

(c)the person—

(i)has not informed the company of the person’s status as a registrable person or registrable relevant legal entity in relation to the company, or

(ii)has not given the company all of the required particulars of the person (see section 790K).

(2)The person must—

(a)inform the company of the person’s status as a registrable person or registrable relevant legal entity in relation to the company, and

(b)give the company the required particulars (see section 790K).

(3)The person must comply with the duty in subsection (2) before the end of the period of one month beginning with the day on which the conditions in subsection (1) are met.]

Textual Amendments

F23Ss. 790G-790HA substituted for ss. 790G, 790H (26.10.2023 but only so far as it confers a power to make regulations or relates to the exercise of the power, otherwise prosp.) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), s. 219(1)(2)(b), Sch. 2 para. 12

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C3Ss. 790C-790K applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2009/2436, Sch. 1 para. 12A (as inserted (26.6.2017) by The Information about People with Significant Control (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/693), regs. 2, 33 (with Sch. Pt. 3))

790H [F23Duty to update information] [F23Duty to notify company of changes in PSC information]U.K.

[F23(1)This section applies to a person if—

(a)the required particulars of the person (whether a registrable person or a registrable relevant legal entity) are stated in a company's PSC register,

(b)a relevant change occurs,

(c)the person knows of the change or ought reasonably to do so,

(d)the company's PSC register has not been altered to reflect the change, and

(e)the person has not received notice from the company under section 790E by the end of the period of one month beginning with the day on which the change occurred.

(2)The person must—

(a)notify the company of the change,

(b)state the date on which it occurred, and

(c)give the company any information needed to update the PSC register.

(3)The duty under subsection (2) must be complied with by the later of—

(a)the end of the period of 2 months beginning with the day on which the change occurred, and

(b)the end of the period of one month beginning with the day on which the person discovered the change.

(4) “ Relevant change ” has the same meaning as in section 790E. ]

[F23(1)This section applies to a person if—

(a)the person knows that they are a registrable person or a registrable relevant legal entity in relation to a company,

(b)there has been a change in the required particulars of the person (see section 790K) and the person knows that to be the case, and

(c)the person has not informed the company of the change or has not given the company all of the information that the company would need to include in a notice of the change under section 790LD(1) or 790LE(1).

(2)The person must—

(a)inform the company of the change, and

(b)give the company the information that the company would need to include in a notice of the change under section 790LD(1) or 790LE(1).

(3)The person must comply with the duty in subsection (2) before the end of the period of one month beginning with the day on which the conditions in subsection (1) are met.]

Textual Amendments

F23Ss. 790G-790HA substituted for ss. 790G, 790H (26.10.2023 but only so far as it confers a power to make regulations or relates to the exercise of the power, otherwise prosp.) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), s. 219(1)(2)(b), Sch. 2 para. 12

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C3Ss. 790C-790K applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2009/2436, Sch. 1 para. 12A (as inserted (26.6.2017) by The Information about People with Significant Control (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/693), regs. 2, 33 (with Sch. Pt. 3))

[F23790HADuty to notify company of ceasing to be a PSCU.K.

(1)This section applies to a person if—

(a)the person knows that they have ceased to be a registrable person or a registrable relevant legal entity in relation to a company,

(b)the material in the register that is available for public inspection does not indicate the person as having ceased to be a registrable person or a registrable relevant legal entity in relation to a company, and

(c)the person has not informed the company of having ceased to be a registrable person or a registrable relevant legal entity in relation to the company or has not informed the company of the date on which the person so ceased.

(2)The person must inform the company—

(a)that the person has ceased to be a registrable person or a registrable relevant legal entity in relation to the company, and

(b)of the date on which the person so ceased.

(3)The person must comply with the duty in subsection (2) before the end of the period of one month beginning with the day on which the conditions in subsection (1) are met.]

Textual Amendments

F23Ss. 790G-790HA substituted for ss. 790G, 790H (26.10.2023 but only so far as it confers a power to make regulations or relates to the exercise of the power, otherwise prosp.) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), s. 219(1)(2)(b), Sch. 2 para. 12

ComplianceU.K.

790I Enforcement of disclosure requirementsU.K.

Schedule 1B contains provisions for when a person (whether an individual or a legal entity) fails to comply with [F24a notice under section 790D or 790E or a duty under section 790G or 790H.] [F24—

(a)a notice under section 790D, 790DA, 790E or 790EA, or

(b)a duty under section 790G, 790H or 790HA.]

Textual Amendments

F24Words in s. 790I substituted (26.10.2023 but only so far as it confers a power to make regulations or relates to the exercise of the power, otherwise prosp.) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), s. 219(1)(2)(b), Sch. 2 para. 13

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C3Ss. 790C-790K applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2009/2436, Sch. 1 para. 12A (as inserted (26.6.2017) by The Information about People with Significant Control (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/693), regs. 2, 33 (with Sch. Pt. 3))

[F25Power to impose further dutiesU.K.

Textual Amendments

F25S. 790IA and cross-heading inserted (26.10.2023 but only so far as it confers a power to make regulations or relates to the exercise of the power, otherwise prosp.) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), s. 219(1)(2)(b), Sch. 2 para. 14

790IAPower to impose further duties involving nominee shareholdersU.K.

(1)The Secretary of State may by regulations make further provision for the purpose of enabling a company to which this Part applies to find out about anyone who has become or ceased to be a person who is—

(a)a registrable person in relation to the company by virtue of shares being held by a nominee, or

(b)a registrable relevant legal entity in relation to the company by virtue of shares being held by a nominee.

(2)The regulations may, in particular—

(a)impose obligations on a company with a view to obtaining—

(i)information about whether a person has become or ceased to be a nominee shareholder;

(ii)if they have, information about: (A) the shareholding; (B) the nominee; (C) the person for whom the nominee holds or held the shares;

(iii)any other information required by the regulations;

(b)impose obligations on others (including nominees or former nominees) with a view to providing the company with—

(i)information of a kind described in paragraph (a)(i) or (ii);

(ii)any other information required by the regulations.

(3)The regulations may, in particular, make provision similar or corresponding to any of the preceding provisions of this Chapter.

(4)The provision that may be made by regulations under subsection (1) includes provision amending this Chapter.

(5)Regulations under this section are subject to affirmative resolution procedure.]

Exemption from information and registration requirementsU.K.

790J Power to make exemptionsU.K.

(1)The Secretary of State may exempt a person (whether an individual or a legal entity) under this section.

(2)The effect of an exemption is—

(a)the person is not required to comply with any notice under section [F26790D(2) or 790E] [F26790D, 790E or 790EA] (but if a notice is received, the person must bring the existence of the exemption to the attention of the company that sent it),

(b)companies are not obliged to take steps or give notice under those sections to or with respect to that person,

(c)notices under section [F27790D(5)] [F27790DA] do not require anyone else to give any information about that person,

(d)the duties imposed by sections 790G [F28and 790H] [F28790H and 790HA] do not apply to that person, and

(e)the person does not count for the purposes of [F29section 790M] [F29any of sections 12A, 790LA, 790LC, 790LD, 790LE, 790LF, 790LG, 790LH] [F30and 790LM to 790LS] as a registrable person or, as the case may be, a registrable relevant legal entity in relation to any company.

(3)The Secretary of State must not grant an exemption under this section unless the Secretary of State is satisfied that, having regard to any undertaking given by the person to be exempted, there are special reasons why that person should be exempted.

Textual Amendments

F26Words in s. 790J(2)(a) substituted (26.10.2023 but only so far as it confers a power to make regulations or relates to the exercise of the power, otherwise prosp.) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), s. 219(1)(2)(b), Sch. 2 para. 15(a)

F27Word in s. 790J(2)(c) substituted (26.10.2023 but only so far as it confers a power to make regulations or relates to the exercise of the power, otherwise prosp.) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), s. 219(1)(2)(b), Sch. 2 para. 15(b)

F28Words in s. 790J(2)(d) substituted (26.10.2023 but only so far as it confers a power to make regulations or relates to the exercise of the power, otherwise prosp.) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), s. 219(1)(2)(b), Sch. 2 para. 15(c)

F29Words in s. 790J(2)(e) substituted (26.10.2023 but only so far as it confers a power to make regulations or relates to the exercise of the power, otherwise prosp.) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), s. 219(1)(2)(b), Sch. 2 para. 15(d)

F30Words in s. 790J(2)(e) inserted (26.10.2023 but only so far as it confers a power to make regulations or relates to the exercise of the power, otherwise prosp.) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), ss. 64(2), 219(1)(2)(b)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C3Ss. 790C-790K applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2009/2436, Sch. 1 para. 12A (as inserted (26.6.2017) by The Information about People with Significant Control (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/693), regs. 2, 33 (with Sch. Pt. 3))

Required particularsU.K.

790K Required particularsU.K.

(1)The “required particulars” of an individual who is a registrable person are—

(a)name,

(b)a service address,

(c)the country or state (or part of the United Kingdom) in which the individual is usually resident,

(d)nationality,

(e)date of birth,

(f)usual residential address,

(g)the date on which the individual became a registrable person in relation to the company in question,

(h)the nature of his or her control over that company (see Schedule 1A), [F31and]

(i)[F31if, in relation to that company, restrictions on using or disclosing any of the individual's PSC particulars are in force under regulations under section 790ZG, that fact.]

(2)In the case of a person in relation to which this Part has effect by virtue of section 790C(12) as if the person were an individual, the “required particulars” are—

(a)name,

(b)principal office,

[F32(ba)a service address,]

(c)the legal form of the person and the law by which it is governed,

(d)the date on which it became a registrable person in relation to the company in question, and

(e)the nature of its control over the company (see Schedule 1A).

(3)The “required particulars” of a registrable relevant legal entity are—

(a)corporate or firm name,

(b)[F33registered or] principal office,

[F34(ba)a service address,]

(c)the legal form of the entity and the law by which it is governed,

(d)if applicable, the register of companies in which it is entered (including details of the state) and its registration number in that register,

(e)the date on which it became a registrable relevant legal entity in relation to the company in question, and

(f)the nature of its control over that company (see Schedule 1A).

[F35(4)Section 163(2) (particulars of directors to be registered: individuals) applies for the purposes of subsection (1).]

[F35(4)In this section “name”, in relation to an individual, means the individual’s forename and surname.

(4A)Where an individual is a peer or an individual usually known by a title, any requirement imposed by this Act to provide the individual’s name because it forms part of the required particulars under this section may be satisfied by providing that title instead of the individual’s forename and surname.]

(5)The Secretary of State may by regulations make further provision about the particulars required by subsections (1)(h), (2)(e) and (3)(f).

(6)Regulations under subsection (5) are subject to negative resolution procedure.

Textual Amendments

F31S. 790K(1)(i) and word omitted (26.10.2023 but only so far as it confers a power to make regulations or relates to the exercise of the power, otherwise prosp.) by virtue of Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), s. 219(1)(2)(b), Sch. 2 para. 16(2)

F32S. 790K(2)(ba) inserted (26.10.2023 but only so far as it confers a power to make regulations or relates to the exercise of the power, otherwise prosp.) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), s. 219(1)(2)(b), Sch. 2 para. 16(3)

F33Words in s. 790K(3)(b) omitted (26.10.2023 but only so far as it confers a power to make regulations or relates to the exercise of the power, otherwise prosp.) by virtue of Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), s. 219(1)(2)(b), Sch. 2 para. 16(4)(a)

F34S. 790K(3)(ba) inserted (26.10.2023 but only so far as it confers a power to make regulations or relates to the exercise of the power, otherwise prosp.) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), s. 219(1)(2)(b), Sch. 2 para. 16(4)(b)

F35S. 790K(4)(4A) substituted for s. 790K(4) (26.10.2023 but only so far as it confers a power to make regulations or relates to the exercise of the power, otherwise prosp.) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), s. 219(1)(2)(b), Sch. 2 para. 16(5)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C3Ss. 790C-790K applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2009/2436, Sch. 1 para. 12A (as inserted (26.6.2017) by The Information about People with Significant Control (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/693), regs. 2, 33 (with Sch. Pt. 3))

C7S. 790K applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2009/1804, reg. 31D (as inserted (6.4.2016) by The Limited Liability Partnerships (Register of People with Significant Control) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/340), regs. 1(3), 3, Sch. 1)

790LRequired particulars: power to amendU.K.

[F36(1)The Secretary of State may by regulations amend section 790K so as to add to or remove from any of the lists of required particulars.]

[F36(1)The Secretary of State may by regulations—

(a)amend section 790K so as to change the “required particulars” in relation to—

(i)an individual who is a registrable person;

(ii)a person in relation to which this Part has effect by virtue of section 790C(12) as if the person were an individual;

(iii)a registrable relevant legal entity;

(b)repeal section 790K(4A).]

(2)Regulations under this section are subject to affirmative resolution procedure.

Textual Amendments

F36S. 790L(1) substituted (26.10.2023 but only so far as it confers a power to make regulations or relates to the exercise of the power, otherwise prosp.) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), s. 219(1)(2)(b), Sch. 2 para. 17

[F37CHAPTER 2AU.K.Duty to notify registrar of persons with significant control and ID verification

Textual Amendments

F37Pt. 21A Ch. 2A inserted (26.10.2023 but only so far as it confers a power to make regulations or relates to the exercise of the power, otherwise prosp.) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), s. 219(1)(2)(b), Sch. 2 para. 18

Duty to notify registrar of persons with significant controlU.K.

790LADuty to notify registrar of confirmed persons with significant controlU.K.

(1)A company must give a notice to the registrar if it has had confirmation of—

(a)a person’s status as a registrable person or a registrable relevant legal entity in relation to the company, and

(b)the required particulars of the person (see section 790K).

(2)A notice under subsection (1) must contain a statement of the required particulars.

(3)A notice under subsection (1) must be given within the period of 14 days beginning with the day on which the company had confirmation as mentioned in that subsection.

(4)A company is not required to give a notice under this section in relation to a person if—

(a)the application for the registration of the company contained a statement of initial significant control naming the person as someone who would, on the company’s incorporation, become a registrable person or a registrable relevant legal entity in relation to the company, and

(b)the company has no cause to believe that at any time since its incorporation the person has ceased to be a registrable person or a registrable relevant legal entity in relation to the company.

(5)Nothing in section 126 (notice of trusts not receivable by registrar) affects the duty to give a notice under this section (or the receipt of that notice by the registrar).

790LBOption to provide ID verification information in notice of changeU.K.

(1)A notice under section 790LA(1) that relates to a registrable person may include a statement that the person’s identity is verified (see section 1110A).

(2)A notice under section 790LA(1) that relates to a registrable relevant legal entity may include a statement that—

(a)specifies the name of one of its relevant officers (within the meaning given by section 790LO(6)) who is an individual and whose identity is verified, and

(b)confirms that the individual’s identity is verified.

(3)If the notice includes a statement under subsection (2), it must be accompanied by a statement by the individual confirming that the individual is a relevant officer of the registrable relevant legal entity.

(4)To find out what happens if the option in subsection (1) or (2) is not exercised, see sections 790LM and 790LO.

(5)In subsection (1) “registrable person” does not include a person mentioned in section 790C(12)(a) to (d).

790LCDuty to notify registrar of unconfirmed persons with significant controlU.K.

(1)A company must give a notice to the registrar if—

(a)it knows or has cause to believe that a person has become a registrable person or a registrable relevant legal entity in relation to the company, but

(b)it has not yet had confirmation as mentioned in section 790LA(1).

(2)The notice must state that fact.

(3)A notice under subsection (1) must be given within the period of 14 days beginning with the day on which the company first knows or has cause to believe that the person has become a registrable person or a registrable relevant legal entity in relation to the company.

(4)Nothing in this section requires a company, on its incorporation, to give a notice in relation to a person included in the statement of initial significant control under section 12A.

Duty to notify registrar of changes in required particularsU.K.

790LDDuties to notify of changes in required particularsU.K.

(1)A company must give a notice to the registrar if it—

(a)has had confirmation that there has been a change in the required particulars of a registrable person, or a registrable relevant legal entity, in relation to the company (see section 790K), and

(b)has had confirmation of how the required particulars have changed and the date on which they changed.

(2)The notice must state—

(a)the change in the required particulars, and

(b)the date on which the change occurred.

(3)A notice under subsection (1) must be given within the period of 14 days beginning with the day on which the company had confirmation as mentioned in that subsection.

(4)Nothing in section 126 (notice of trusts not receivable by registrar) affects the duty to give a notice under this section (or the receipt of that notice by the registrar).

790LEDuty to notify of pre-incorporation changes in required particularsU.K.

(1)A company must give a notice to the registrar if it—

(a)has had confirmation that there was a pre-incorporation change in the required particulars of a proposed PSC (see section 790K), and

(b)has had confirmation of how the required particulars have changed and the date on which they changed.

(2)But a company is not required to give a notice under subsection (1) in respect of a person if it has given a notice under section 790LG in respect of the person.

(3)A notice under subsection (1) must state—

(a)the change in the required particulars, and

(b)the date on which the change occurred.

(4)A notice under subsection (1) must be given within the period of 14 days beginning with the day on which the company had confirmation as mentioned in that subsection.

(5)In this section—

  • “pre-incorporation change” means a change that occurred—

    (a)

    after the application for the registration of the company was delivered to the registrar, but

    (b)

    before the company was incorporated;

  • “proposed PSC”, in relation to a company, means a person who was named in a statement under section 12A(1)(a) as a person who would, on the company’s incorporation, become a registrable person or registrable relevant legal entity in relation to the company.

Duty to notify registrar of person ceasing to be person with significant control etcU.K.

790LFDuty to notify registrar when person ceases to have significant controlU.K.

(1)A company must give a notice to the registrar if it—

(a)has had confirmation that a person has ceased to be a registrable person or a registrable relevant legal entity in relation to it, and

(b)has had confirmation of the date on which the person so ceased.

(2)A notice under subsection (1) must state—

(a)the person’s name and service address, and

(b)the date on which the person ceased to be a registrable person or a registrable relevant legal entity in relation to the company.

(3)A notice under subsection (1) must be given within the period of 14 days beginning with the day on which the company had confirmation as mentioned in that subsection.

790LGNotification of someone not becoming person with significant control on incorporationU.K.

(1)A company must give a notice to the registrar if it knows that a person named in the statement under section 12A(1)(a) as a person who would, on the company’s incorporation, become a registrable person or a registrable relevant legal entity did not so become.

(2)A notice under subsection (1) must be given within the period of 14 days beginning with the day on which the company has the knowledge mentioned there.

790LHDuty to notify registrar if company ceases to have persons with significant controlU.K.

(1)A company must give a notice to the registrar if it knows or has cause to believe that—

(a)there has at some time been a person who is a registrable person or registrable relevant legal entity in relation to the company, and

(b)there has ceased to be anyone who is a registrable person or registrable relevant legal entity in relation to the company.

(2)A notice under subsection (1) must —

(a)state that the company has that knowledge or cause to believe, and

(b)specify the date on which the company first had that knowledge or cause to believe.

(3)A notice under subsection (1) must be given within the period of 14 days beginning with the day on which the company first had the knowledge or cause to believe mentioned in that subsection.

790LIPower to create further duties to notify informationU.K.

(1)The Secretary of State may by regulations impose further duties on a company to deliver information to the registrar about—

(a)registrable persons, or registrable relevant legal entities, in relation to the company (including information about whether it has any);

(b)compliance with Chapter 2 by the company or any person to whom the company has given a notice under that Chapter (including provision requiring a company to provide the registrar with a copy of any such notice, whether on request or otherwise).

(2)The provision that may be made by regulations under subsection (1) includes provision amending this Part.

(3)The consequential provision that may be made by regulations under subsection (1) by virtue of section 1292(1) also includes provision amending any other provision of this Act.

(4)Regulations under this section are subject to affirmative resolution procedure.

790LJPersons with significant control: offence of failure to notifyU.K.

(1)If a company fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with section 790LA, 790LC, 790LD, 790LE, 790LF, 790LG or 790LH, or regulations under section 790LI, an offence is committed by—

(a)the company, and

(b)every officer of the company who is in default.

(2)For this purpose a shadow director is treated as an officer of the company.

(3)A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale and, for continued contravention, a daily default fine not exceeding one-tenth of level 3 on the standard scale.

790LKPower of court to order company to remedy defaults or delayU.K.

(1)Where a company makes default in complying with section 790LA, 790LC, 790LD, 790LE, 790LF, 790LG or 790LH, or regulations under section 790LI, an application may be made to the court for an order requiring the company to deliver to the registrar the information (or statements) necessary to rectify the position.

(2)The application may be made by—

(a)any person aggrieved by the default,

(b)any member of the company, or

(c)any person who is a registrable person or a registrable relevant legal entity in relation to the company.

(3)On an application under subsection (1) the court may either refuse the application or may make the order and order the company to pay any damages sustained by any party aggrieved.

(4)On an application under subsection (1) the court may decide—

(a)any question as to whether the name of any person who is a party to the application should or should not be included in or omitted from information delivered to the registrar under this Chapter about persons who are a registrable person or a registrable relevant legal entity in relation to the company, and

(b)any question necessary or expedient to be decided for rectifying the position.

(5)Nothing in this section affects a person’s rights under section 1094 or 1096 (rectification of register).

790LLInformation as to whether information has been deliveredU.K.

(1)A person may request a company to tell the person whether all of the information that it is required to deliver to the registrar under this Chapter has been delivered.

(2)The company must comply with the request within the period of 14 days beginning with the day on which the request is made.

(3)If the company fails, without reasonable excuse, to do so, an offence is committed by—

(a)the company, and

(b)every officer of the company who is in default.

(4)A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

(5)Subsection (1) does not apply in relation to information if the company is aware that, by virtue of regulations under section 1088, the registrar is required to refrain from making that information available for public inspection.]

[F38Identity verification obligations for persons with significant controlU.K.

Textual Amendments

F38Ss. 790LM-790LT and cross-heading inserted (26.10.2023 but only so far as it confers a power to make regulations or relates to the exercise of the power, otherwise prosp.) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), ss. 64(3), 219(1)(2)(b)

790LMInitial identity verification: registrable personsU.K.

(1)This section applies in the following cases.

  • Case 1 is where—

    (a)

    a company is incorporated in pursuance of an application for registration containing a statement under section 12A(1)(a) naming a person as someone who will, on the company’s incorporation, become a registrable person (“the registrable person”),

    (b)

    the application does not include a statement under section 12B(2) in respect of the registrable person or it appears to the registrar that the statement is false, and

    (c)

    the company has not given a notice under section 790LG(1) in respect of the person.

  • Case 2 is where—

    (a)

    the registrar is notified under section 790LF that a person has become a registrable person in relation to a company (“the registrable person”), and

    (b)

    the notice does not include a statement under section 790LB(1) or it appears to the registrar that the statement is false.

(2)The registrar must direct the registrable person to deliver to the registrar, within the period of 14 days beginning with the date of the direction, a statement confirming that the person’s identity is verified (see section 1110A).

(3)The registrar may by further direction extend that period by up to 14 days at a time.

(4)A direction under this section must be in writing.

(5)A direction given to a person under this section lapses if notice is later given under section 790LG(1) in respect of that person.

(6)In this section “registrable person” does not include a person mentioned in section 790C(12)(a) to (d).

790LNInitial identity verification for registrable persons: transitional casesU.K.

(1)A person must deliver to the registrar the statement required by this section if the person—

(a)is a registrable person in relation to a company at any time during the appointed day, and

(b)either—

(i)became a registrable person on the incorporation of the company in pursuance of an application for registration delivered before section 12B(2) came fully into force, or

(ii)became a registrable person, otherwise than on the incorporation of the company, before the day on which section 790LB(1) came fully into force.

(2)The statement required by this section is a statement confirming that person’s identity is verified (see section 1110A).

(3)A statement required by this section must be delivered within the period of 14 days beginning with the appointed day.

(4)But the registrar may by direction in writing extend that period by up to 14 days at a time.

(5)In this section—

  • “the appointed day” means such day as the Secretary of State may by regulations appoint for the purposes of this section;

  • “registrable person” does not include a person mentioned in section 790C(12)(a) to (d).

(6)The appointed day must not be before sections 12B(2) and 790LB(1) have been brought fully into force.

790LOInitial identity verification: registrable relevant legal entitiesU.K.

(1)This section applies in the following cases.

  • Case 1 is where—

    (a)

    a company is incorporated in pursuance of an application for registration containing a statement under section 12A(1)(a) naming a person as a person who will, on the company’s incorporation become a registrable relevant legal entity (“the entity”),

    (b)

    the application does not include a statement under section 12B(3) in respect of the entity, or is not accompanied by a statement under section 12B(4) by the person whose name is specified in the statement under section 12B(3), or it appears to the registrar that either statement is false, and

    (c)

    the company has not given a notice under section 790LG(1) in respect of the entity.

  • Case 2 is where—

    (a)

    the registrar is notified under section 790LA that a person has become a registrable relevant legal entity in relation to a company (“the entity”), and

    (b)

    the notice does not include a statement under section 790LB(2), or it is not accompanied by a statement under section 790LB(3), or it appears to the registrar that either statement is false.

(2)The registrar must direct the entity to deliver to the registrar, within the period of 28 days beginning with the date of the direction—

(a)a statement by the entity that—

(i)specifies the name of one of its relevant officers who is an individual and whose identity is verified, and

(ii)confirms that the individual’s identity is verified, and

(b)a statement by the individual confirming that the individual is a relevant officer of the entity.

(3)The registrar may by further direction extend that period by up to 28 days at a time.

(4)A direction under this section must be in writing.

(5)A direction given to an entity under this section lapses if notice is later given under section 790LG(1) in respect of that entity.

(6)In subsection (2) “relevant officer”—

(a)in relation to a company, means a director;

(b)in relation to a legal entity the affairs of which are managed by its members, means one of those members;

(c)in relation to any other legal entity, means an officer of the entity whose functions correspond to that of a director of a company.

790LPInitial identity verification in respect of registrable relevant legal entities: transitional casesU.K.

(1)A person must deliver to the registrar the statements required by this section if the person—

(a)is a registrable relevant legal entity in relation to a company at any time during the appointed day, and

(b)either—

(i)became a registrable relevant legal entity on the incorporation of the company in pursuance of an application for registration delivered before section 12B(3) and (4) came fully into force, or

(ii)became a registrable relevant legal entity, otherwise than on the incorporation of the company, before section 790LB(2) and (3) came fully into force.

(2)The statements are—

(a)a statement by the entity that—

(i)specifies the name of one of its relevant officers who is an individual and whose identity is verified, and

(ii)confirms that the individual’s identity is verified, and

(b)a statement by the individual confirming that the individual is a relevant officer of the entity.

(3)The statements required by this section must be delivered within the period of 28 days beginning with the appointed day.

(4)But the registrar may by direction in writing extend that period by up to 28 days at a time.

(5)In this section—

  • “the appointed day” means such day as the Secretary of State may by regulations appoint for the purposes of this section;

  • “relevant officer” has the meaning given by section 790LO(6).

(6)The appointed day must not be before sections 12B(3) and (4) and 790LB(2) and (3) have been brought fully into force.

790LQRegistrable persons: duty to maintain verified identity statusU.K.

(1)A registrable person in relation to a company must ensure that, throughout the relevant period, they maintain the status of a person whose identity is verified (see section 1110A).

(2)In this section “the relevant period” means the period—

(a)beginning with—

(i)the incorporation of the company, in a case where the person became a registrable person on its incorporation and the application for registration of the company included a statement under section 12B(2) in respect of the person,

(ii)the delivery to the registrar of a statement in respect of the person under section 790LB(1), in a case where the person became a registrable person after the incorporation of the company and such a statement was delivered to the registrar,

(iii)the expiry of the period for complying with the direction under section 790LM, in a case where a direction under that section is given to the person, and

(iv)the expiry of the period for complying with section 790LN, in a case where that section applies to the person, and

(b)ending on the giving of a notice to the registrar under section 790LF that the person has ceased to be a registrable person in relation to the company.

(3)In this section “registrable person” does not include a person mentioned in section 790C(12)(a) to (d).

790LRRegistrable relevant legal entities: duty to maintain registered officer whose identity is verifiedU.K.

(1)A registrable relevant legal entity in relation to a company must ensure that, throughout the relevant period, its registered officer—

(a)is a relevant officer of the entity, and

(b)is an individual whose identity is verified (see section 1110A).

(2)In this section “registered officer”, in relation to a registrable relevant legal entity, means—

(a)the person whose name is specified in—

(i)a statement delivered to the registrar in respect of the entity under section 12B(3) or 790LB(2),

(ii)a statement delivered to the registrar by the entity in pursuance of a direction under section 790LO(2), or

(iii)a statement delivered to the registrar under section 790LP(2),

unless the entity has changed its registered officer under section 790LS, or

(b)if the entity has changed its registered officer under section 790LS, the person specified in the latest notice under that section.

(3)In this section “the relevant period” means the period—

(a)beginning with—

(i)the incorporation of the company, in a case where the entity became a relevant registrable legal entity on the incorporation of the company and the application for registration of the company included a statement under section 12B(3) in respect of the entity,

(ii)the delivery to the registrar of a statement in respect of the registrable relevant legal entity under section 790LB(2), in a case where the entity became a relevant registrable legal entity after the incorporation of the company and such a statement was delivered to the registrar,

(iii)the expiry of the period for complying with the direction 790LO, in a case where the entity is given a direction under that section, and

(iv)the expiry of the period for complying with section 790LP, where that section applies to the entity, and

(b)ending with the giving of a notice to the registrar under section 790LF that the entity has ceased to be a relevant registrable legal entity in relation to the company,

but see subsection (4).

(4)If the registered officer of a registrable relevant legal entity ceases to be a relevant officer of that entity, “the relevant period” does not include the period of 28 days beginning with the day on which the person so ceases.

(5)In this section “relevant officer” has the meaning given by section 790LO(6).

790LSRegistrable relevant legal entities: change of registered relevant officerU.K.

(1)A registrable relevant legal entity may change its registered officer for the purposes of section 790LR by giving notice to the registrar.

(2)The notice must include a statement by the entity that the new registered officer—

(a)is a relevant officer of the entity, and

(b)is an individual whose identity is verified (see section 1110A).

(3)The notice must be accompanied by a statement by the individual who is the new registered officer confirming that the individual is a relevant officer of the registrable relevant legal entity.

(4)In this section “relevant officer” has the meaning given by section 790LO(6).

790LTOffence of failing to comply with sections 790LM to 790LRU.K.

(1)It is an offence for a person to fail, without reasonable excuse, to comply with—

(a)any of the following sections—

  • section 790LN;

  • section 790LP;

  • section 790LQ;

  • section 790LR;

(b)a direction under section 790LM or 790LO.

(2)Where an offence under this section is committed by a registrable relevant legal entity, every officer of the entity who is in default also commits the offence.

(3)A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction—

(a)in England and Wales, to a fine;

(b)in Scotland or Northern Ireland, to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale and, for continued contravention, a daily default fine not exceeding one-tenth of level 5 on the standard scale.]

CHAPTER 3U.K.[F39Register of people with significant control

Textual Amendments

F39Pt. 21A Ch. 3 omitted (26.10.2023 but only so far as it confers a power to make regulations or relates to the exercise of the power, otherwise prosp.) by virtue of Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), s. 219(1)(2)(b), Sch. 2 para. 19

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C8Pt. 21A Ch. 3 (ss. 790M-790VA) applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2009/2436, Sch. 1 para. 12B (as inserted (26.6.2017) by The Information about People with Significant Control (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/693), reg. 33 (with Sch. Pt. 3))

790MDuty to keep registerU.K.

(1)A company to which this Part applies must keep a register of people with significant control over the company.

(2) The required particulars of any individual with significant control over the company who is “registrable” in relation to the company must be entered in the register [F40before the end of the period of 14 days beginning with the day after all the required particulars of that individual are first confirmed].

(3)The company must not enter any of the individual's particulars in the register until they have all been confirmed.

(4) Particulars of any individual with significant control over the company who is “non-registrable” in relation to the company must not be entered in the register.

[F41(5)The required particulars of any entity that is a registrable relevant legal entity in relation to the company must be entered in the register before the end of the period of 14 days beginning with the day after the company first has all the required particulars of that entity.]

(6)If the company becomes aware of a relevant change (within the meaning of section 790E) with respect to a registrable person F42... whose particulars are stated in the register [F43, the company must enter in the register—

(a)the changes to the required particulars resulting from the relevant change, and

(b)the date on which the relevant change occurred,

before the end of the period of 14 days beginning with the day after all of those changes and that date are first confirmed.]

[F44(6A)If the company becomes aware of a relevant change (within the meaning of section 790E) with respect to a registrable relevant legal entity whose particulars are stated in the register, the company must enter in the register—

(a)the changes to the required particulars resulting from the relevant change, and

(b)the date on which the relevant change occurred,

before the end of the period of 14 days beginning with the day after the company first has details of all of those changes and that date.]

(7)The Secretary of State may by regulations require additional matters to be noted in a company's PSC register.

[F45(7A)If a company is required by regulations made under subsection (7) to note an additional matter in its PSC register, the company must note the additional matter before the end of the period of 14 days beginning with the day after the requirement arises.]

(8)Regulations under subsection (7) are subject to affirmative resolution procedure.

(9)A person's required particulars, [F46a change to such particulars and the date of any relevant change with respect to a person], are considered for the purposes of this section to have been “confirmed” if—

(a)the person supplied or confirmed them to the company (whether voluntarily, pursuant to a duty imposed by this Part or otherwise),

(b)another person did so but with that person's knowledge, or

(c)they were included in a statement of initial significant control delivered to the registrar under section 9 by subscribers wishing to form the company.

(10)In the case of someone who was a registrable person or a registrable relevant legal entity in relation to the company on its incorporation—

(a)the date to be entered in the register as the date on which the individual became a registrable person, or the entity became a registrable relevant legal entity, is to be the date of incorporation, and

(b)in the case of a registrable person, that particular is deemed to have been “confirmed”.

(11)For the purposes of this section—

(a)if a person's usual residential address is the same as his or her service address, the entry for him or her in the register may state that fact instead of repeating the address (but this does not apply in a case where the service address is stated to be “The company's registered office”);

(b)nothing in section 126 (trusts not to be entered on register) affects what may be entered in a company's PSC register or is receivable by the registrar in relation to people with significant control over a company (even if they are members of the company);

(c)see section 790J (exemptions) for cases where a person does not count as a registrable person or a registrable relevant legal entity.

(12)If a company makes default in complying with this section, an offence is committed by—

(a)the company, and

(b)every officer of the company who is in default.

(13)A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale and, for continued contravention, a daily default fine not exceeding one-tenth of level 3 on the standard scale.

(14)A company to which this Part applies is not by virtue of anything done for the purposes of this section affected with notice of, or put upon inquiry as to, the rights of any person in relation to any shares or rights in or with respect to the company.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C9S. 790M: power to modify conferred (temp.) (26.6.2020) by Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 (c. 12), ss. 39(1), 40(e), 49(1) (with ss. 2(2), 5(2), 39(8)(9))

C10S. 790M applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2009/1804, reg. 31E (as inserted (6.4.2016 except for the modification of s. 790M(9)(c) which is in force at 30.6.2016) by The Limited Liability Partnerships (Register of People with Significant Control) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/340), regs. 1(2)(a)(3), 3, Sch. 1)

C11S. 790M amendment to earlier affecting provision S.I. 2009/1804, reg. 31E (26.6.2017) by The Information about People with Significant Control (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/693), regs. 2, 25 (with Sch. Pt. 2)

790N Register to be kept available for inspectionU.K.

(1)A company's PSC register must be kept available for inspection—

(a)at its registered office, or

(b)at a place specified in regulations under section 1136.

(2)A company must give notice to the registrar of the place where its PSC register is kept available for inspection and of any change in that place.

(3)No such notice is required if the register has, at all times since it came into existence, been kept available for inspection at the company's registered office.

(4)If a company makes default for 14 days in complying with subsection (2), an offence is committed by—

(a)the company, and

(b)every officer of the company who is in default.

(5)A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale and, for continued contravention, a daily default fine not exceeding one-tenth of level 3 on the standard scale.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C15S. 790N: power to modify conferred (temp.) (26.6.2020) by Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 (c. 12), ss. 39(1), 40(e), 49(1) (with ss. 2(2), 5(2), 39(8)(9))

C16S. 790N applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2009/1804, reg. 31F (as inserted (6.4.2016) by The Limited Liability Partnerships (Register of People with Significant Control) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/340), regs. 1(3), 3, Sch. 1)

790O Rights to inspect and require copiesU.K.

(1)A company's PSC register must be open to the inspection of any person without charge.

(2)Any person may require a copy of a company's PSC register, or any part of it, on payment of such fee as may be prescribed.

(3)A person seeking to exercise either of the rights conferred by this section must make a request to the company to that effect.

(4)The request must contain the following information—

(a)in the case of an individual, his or her name and address,

(b)in the case of an organisation, the name and address of an individual responsible for making the request on behalf of the organisation, and

(c)the purpose for which the information is to be used.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C18S. 790O applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2009/1804, reg. 31F (as inserted (6.4.2016) by The Limited Liability Partnerships (Register of People with Significant Control) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/340), regs. 1(3), 3, Sch. 1)

790PPSC register: response to request for inspection or copyU.K.

(1)Where a company receives a request under section 790O, it must within 5 working days either—

(a)comply with the request, or

(b)apply to the court.

(2)If it applies to the court, it must notify the person making the request.

(3)If on an application under this section the court is satisfied that the inspection or copy is not sought for a proper purpose—

(a)it must direct the company not to comply with the request, and

(b)it may further order that the company's costs (in Scotland, expenses) on the application be paid in whole or in part by the person who made the request, even if that person is not a party to the application.

(4)If the court makes such a direction and it appears to the court that the company is or may be subject to other requests made for a similar purpose (whether made by the same person or different persons), it may direct that the company is not to comply with any such request.

The order must contain such provision as appears to the court appropriate to identify the requests to which it applies.

(5)If on an application under this section the court does not direct the company not to comply with the request, the company must comply with the request immediately upon the court giving its decision or, as the case may be, the proceedings being discontinued.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C19Ss. 790P-790S applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2009/1804, reg. 31G (as inserted (6.4.2016) by The Limited Liability Partnerships (Register of People with Significant Control) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/340), regs. 1(3), 3, Sch. 1)

790QPSC register: refusal of inspection or default in providing copyU.K.

(1)If an inspection required under section 790O is refused or default is made in providing a copy required under that section, otherwise than in accordance with an order of the court, an offence is committed by—

(a)the company, and

(b)every officer of the company who is in default.

(2)A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale and, for continued contravention, a daily default fine not exceeding one-tenth of level 3 on the standard scale.

(3)In the case of any such refusal or default the court may by order compel an immediate inspection or, as the case may be, direct that the copy required be sent to the person requesting it.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C19Ss. 790P-790S applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2009/1804, reg. 31G (as inserted (6.4.2016) by The Limited Liability Partnerships (Register of People with Significant Control) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/340), regs. 1(3), 3, Sch. 1)

790RPSC register: offences in connection with request for or disclosure of informationU.K.

(1)It is an offence for a person knowingly or recklessly to make in a request under section 790O a statement that is misleading, false or deceptive in a material particular.

(2)It is an offence for a person in possession of information obtained by exercise of either of the rights conferred by that section—

(a)to do anything that results in the information being disclosed to another person, or

(b)to fail to do anything with the result that the information is disclosed to another person,

knowing, or having reason to suspect, that person may use the information for a purpose that is not a proper purpose.

(3)A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable—

(a)on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or a fine (or both);

(b)on summary conviction—

(i)in England and Wales, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or to a fine (or both);

(ii)in Scotland, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum (or both);

(iii)in Northern Ireland, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum (or both).

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C19Ss. 790P-790S applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2009/1804, reg. 31G (as inserted (6.4.2016) by The Limited Liability Partnerships (Register of People with Significant Control) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/340), regs. 1(3), 3, Sch. 1)

790SInformation as to state of registerU.K.

(1)Where a person inspects the PSC register, or the company provides a person with a copy of the register or any part of it, the company must inform the person of the most recent date (if any) on which alterations were made to the register and whether there are further alterations to be made.

(2)If a company fails to provide the information required under subsection (1), an offence is committed by—

(a)the company, and

(b)every officer of the company who is in default.

(3)A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C19Ss. 790P-790S applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2009/1804, reg. 31G (as inserted (6.4.2016) by The Limited Liability Partnerships (Register of People with Significant Control) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/340), regs. 1(3), 3, Sch. 1)

790TProtected informationU.K.

(1)Section 790N and subsections (1) and (2) of section 790O are subject to—

(a)section 790ZF (protection of information as to usual residential address), and

(b)any provision of regulations made under section 790ZG (protection of material).

(2)Subsection (1) is not to be taken to affect the generality of the power conferred by virtue of section 790ZG(3)(f).

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C20S. 790T applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2009/1804, reg. 31H (as inserted (6.4.2016) by The Limited Liability Partnerships (Register of People with Significant Control) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/340), regs. 1(3), 3, Sch. 1)

790URemoval of entries from the registerU.K.

(1)An entry relating to an individual who used to be a registrable person may be removed from the company's PSC register after the expiration of 10 years from the date on which the individual ceased to be a registrable person in relation to the company.

(2)An entry relating to an entity that used to be a registrable relevant legal entity may be removed from the company's PSC register after the expiration of 10 years from the date on which the entity ceased to be a registrable relevant legal entity in relation to the company.

790VPower of court to rectify registerU.K.

(1)If—

(a)the name of any person is, without sufficient cause, entered in or omitted from a company's PSC register as a registrable person or registrable relevant legal entity, or

(b)default is made or unnecessary delay takes place in entering on the PSC register the fact that a person has ceased to be a registrable person or registrable relevant legal entity,

the person aggrieved or any other interested party may apply to the court for rectification of the register.

(2)The court may either refuse the application or may order rectification of the register and payment by the company of any damages sustained by any party aggrieved.

(3)On such an application, the court may—

(a)decide any question as to whether the name of any person who is a party to the application should or should not be entered in or omitted from the register, and

(b)more generally, decide any question necessary or expedient to be decided for rectification of the register.

(4)In the case of a company required by this Act to send information stated in its PSC register to the registrar of companies, the court, when making an order for rectification of the register, must by its order direct notice of the rectification to be given to the registrar.

(5)The reference in this section to “any other interested party” is to—

(a)any member of the company, and

(b)any other person who is a registrable person or a registrable relevant legal entity in relation to the company.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C21S. 790V applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2009/1804, reg. 31J (as inserted (6.4.2016) by The Limited Liability Partnerships (Register of People with Significant Control) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/340), regs. 1(3), 3, Sch. 1)

[F47790VANotification of changes to the registrarU.K.

(1)Subsection (2) applies where a company—

(a)enters required particulars in its PSC register,

(b)alters required particulars in its PSC register, or

(c)notes in its PSC register an additional matter that is required to be noted by regulations under section 790M(7).

(2)The company must give notice to the registrar of the change made to its PSC register, and the date on which the change was made, before the end of the period of 14 days beginning with the day after it makes the change.

(3)If default is made in complying with this section, an offence is committed by—

(a)the company, and

(b)every officer of the company who is in default.

(4)For the purpose of subsection (3) a shadow director is treated as an officer of the company.

(5)A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale and, for continued contravention, a daily default fine not exceeding one-tenth of level 3 on the standard scale.]]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C22S. 790VA: power to modify conferred (temp.) (26.6.2020) by Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 (c. 12), ss. 39(1), 40(e), 49(1) (with ss. 2(2), 5(2), 39(8)(9))

C23S. 790VA applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2009/1804, reg. 31JA (as inserted (26.6.2017) by The Information about People with Significant Control (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/693), reg. 26 (with Sch. Pt. 2))

CHAPTER 4U.K.[F48Alternative method of record-keeping

Textual Amendments

F48Pt. 21A Ch. 4 omitted (26.10.2023 but only so far as it confers a power to make regulations or relates to the exercise of the power, otherwise prosp.) by virtue of Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), s. 219(1)(2)(b), Sch. 2 para. 19

790WIntroductoryU.K.

(1)This Chapter sets out rules allowing private companies to keep information on the register kept by the registrar instead of entering it in their PSC register.

(2)The register kept by the registrar (see section 1080) is referred to in this Chapter as “the central register”.

(3)Chapter 3 must be read with this Chapter.

(4)Nothing in this Chapter affects the duties imposed by Chapter 2.

(5)Where an election under section 790X is in force in respect of a company, references in Chapter 2 to the company's PSC register are to be read as references to the central register.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C25Ss. 790W-790ZD applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2009/1804, reg. 31K (as inserted (30.6.2016) by The Limited Liability Partnerships (Register of People with Significant Control) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/340), regs. 1(2)(b), 3, Sch. 1)

790XRight to make an electionU.K.

(1)An election may be made under this section—

(a)by the subscribers wishing to form a private company under this Act, or

(b)by the private company itself once it is formed and registered.

(2)The election is of no effect unless—

(a)notice of the intention to make the election was given to each eligible person at least 14 days before the day on which the election was made, and

(b)no objection was received by the subscribers or, as the case may be, the company from any eligible person within that notice period.

(3)A person is an “eligible person” if—

(a)in a case of an election by the subscribers wishing to form a private company, the person's particulars would, but for the election, be required to be entered in the company's PSC register on its incorporation, and

(b)in the case of an election by the company itself—

(i)the person is a registrable person or a registrable relevant legal entity in relation to the company, and

(ii)the person's particulars are stated in the company's PSC register.

(4)An election under this section is made by giving notice of election to the registrar.

(5)If the notice is given by subscribers wishing to form a private company—

(a)it must be given when the documents required to be delivered under section 9 are delivered to the registrar, and

(b)it must be accompanied by a statement confirming that no objection was received as mentioned in subsection (2).

(6)If the notice is given by the company, it must be accompanied by—

(a)a statement confirming that no objection was received as mentioned in subsection (2), and

(b)a statement containing all the information that is required to be contained in the company's PSC register as at the date of the notice in respect of matters that are current as at that date.

(7)The company must where necessary update the statement sent under subsection (6)(b) to ensure that the final version delivered to the registrar contains all the information that is required to be contained in the company's PSC register as at the time immediately before the election takes effect (see section 790Y) in respect of matters that are current as at that time.

(8)The obligation in subsection (7) to update the statement includes an obligation to rectify it (where necessary) in consequence of the company's PSC register being rectified (whether before or after the election takes effect).

(9)If default is made in complying with subsection (7), an offence is committed by—

(a)the company, and

(b)every officer of the company who is in default.

For this purpose a shadow director is treated as an officer of the company.

(10)A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale and, for continued contravention, a daily default fine not exceeding one-tenth of level 3 on the standard scale.

(11)A reference in this Chapter to matters that are current as at a given date or time is a reference to—

(a)persons who are a registrable person or registrable relevant legal entity in relation to the company as at that date or time and whose particulars are required to be contained in the company's PSC register as at that date or time, and

(b)any other matters that are current as at that date or time.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C25Ss. 790W-790ZD applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2009/1804, reg. 31K (as inserted (30.6.2016) by The Limited Liability Partnerships (Register of People with Significant Control) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/340), regs. 1(2)(b), 3, Sch. 1)

790YEffective date of electionU.K.

(1)An election made under section 790X takes effect when the notice of election is registered by the registrar.

(2)The election remains in force until either—

(a)the company ceases to be a private company, or

(b)a notice of withdrawal sent by the company under section 790ZD is registered by the registrar,

whichever occurs first.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C25Ss. 790W-790ZD applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2009/1804, reg. 31K (as inserted (30.6.2016) by The Limited Liability Partnerships (Register of People with Significant Control) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/340), regs. 1(2)(b), 3, Sch. 1)

790ZEffect of election on obligations under Chapter 3U.K.

(1)The effect of an election under section 790X on a company's obligations under Chapter 3 is as follows.

(2)The company's obligation to maintain a PSC register does not apply with respect to the period when the election is in force.

(3)This means that, during that period—

(a)the company must continue to keep a PSC register in accordance with Chapter 3 (a “historic” register) containing all the information that was required to be stated in that register as at the time immediately before the election took effect, but

(b)the company does not have to update that register to reflect any changes that occur after that time.

(4)The provisions of Chapter 3 (including the rights to inspect or require copies of the PSC register) continue to apply to the historic register during the period when the election is in force.

(5)The company must place a note in its historic register—

(a)stating that an election under section 790X is in force,

(b)recording when that election took effect, and

(c)indicating that up-to-date information about people with significant control over the company is available for public inspection on the central register.

(6)Subsections (12) and (13) of section 790M apply if a company makes default in complying with subsection (5) as they apply if a company makes default in complying with that section.

(7)The obligations under this section with respect to a historic register do not apply in a case where the election was made by subscribers wishing to form a private company.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C25Ss. 790W-790ZD applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2009/1804, reg. 31K (as inserted (30.6.2016) by The Limited Liability Partnerships (Register of People with Significant Control) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/340), regs. 1(2)(b), 3, Sch. 1)

790ZADuty to notify registrar of changesU.K.

(1)The duty under subsection (2) applies during the period when an election under section 790X is in force.

(2)The company must deliver to the registrar any information that the company would during that period have been obliged under Chapter 3 to enter in its PSC register, had the election not been in force.

(3)The information must be delivered as soon as reasonably practicable after the company becomes aware of it and, in any event, no later than the time by which the company would have been required to enter the information in its PSC register.

(4)If default is made in complying with this section, an offence is committed by—

(a)the company, and

(b)every officer of the company who is in default.

For this purpose a shadow director is treated as an officer of the company.

(5)A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale and, for continued contravention, a daily default fine not exceeding one-tenth of level 3 on the standard scale.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C25Ss. 790W-790ZD applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2009/1804, reg. 31K (as inserted (30.6.2016) by The Limited Liability Partnerships (Register of People with Significant Control) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/340), regs. 1(2)(b), 3, Sch. 1)

790ZBInformation as to state of central registerU.K.

(1)When a person inspects or requests a copy of material on the central register relating to a company in respect of which an election under section 790X is in force, the person may ask the company to confirm that all information that the company is required to deliver to the registrar under this Chapter has been delivered.

(2)If a company fails to respond to a request under subsection (1), an offence is committed by—

(a)the company, and

(b)every officer of the company who is in default.

(3)A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C25Ss. 790W-790ZD applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2009/1804, reg. 31K (as inserted (30.6.2016) by The Limited Liability Partnerships (Register of People with Significant Control) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/340), regs. 1(2)(b), 3, Sch. 1)

790ZCPower of court to order company to remedy default or delayU.K.

(1)This section applies if—

(a)the name of a person is without sufficient cause included in, or omitted from, information that a company delivers to the registrar under this Chapter concerning persons who are a registrable person or a registrable relevant legal entity in relation to the company, or

(b)default is made or unnecessary delay takes place in informing the registrar under this Chapter that a person—

(i)has become a registrable person or a registrable relevant legal entity in relation to the company, or

(ii)has ceased to be a registrable person or a registrable relevant legal entity in relation to it.

(2)The person aggrieved, or any other interested party, may apply to the court for an order requiring the company to deliver to the registrar the information (or statements) necessary to rectify the position.

(3)The court may either refuse the application or may make the order and order the company to pay any damages sustained by any party aggrieved.

(4)On such an application the court may decide—

(a)any question as to whether the name of any person who is a party to the application should or should not be included in or omitted from information delivered to the registrar under this Chapter about persons who are a registrable person or a registrable relevant legal entity in relation to the company, and

(b)any question necessary or expedient to be decided for rectifying the position.

(5)Nothing in this section affects a person's rights under section 1095 or 1096 (rectification of register on application to registrar or under court order).

(6)The reference in this section to “any other interested party” is to—

(a)any member of the company, and

(b)any other person who is a registrable person or a registrable relevant legal entity in relation to the company.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C25Ss. 790W-790ZD applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2009/1804, reg. 31K (as inserted (30.6.2016) by The Limited Liability Partnerships (Register of People with Significant Control) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/340), regs. 1(2)(b), 3, Sch. 1)

790ZDWithdrawing the electionU.K.

(1)A company may withdraw an election made by or in respect of it under section 790X.

(2)Withdrawal is achieved by giving notice of withdrawal to the registrar.

(3)The withdrawal takes effect when the notice is registered by the registrar.

(4)The effect of withdrawal is that the company's obligation under Chapter 3 to maintain a PSC register applies from then on with respect to the period going forward.

(5)This means that, when the withdrawal takes effect—

(a)the company must enter in its PSC register all the information that is required to be contained in that register in respect of matters that are current as at that time,

(b)the company must also retain in its register all the information that it was required under section 790Z(3)(a) to keep in a historic register while the election was in force, but

(c)the company is not required to enter in its register information relating to the period when the election was in force that is no longer current.

(6)The company must place a note in its PSC register—

(a)stating that the election under section 790X has been withdrawn,

(b)recording when that withdrawal took effect, and

(c)indicating that information about people with significant control over the company relating to the period when the election was in force that is no longer current is available for public inspection on the central register.

(7)Subsections (12) and (13) of section 790M apply if a company makes default in complying with subsection (6) as they apply if a company makes default in complying with that section.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C25Ss. 790W-790ZD applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2009/1804, reg. 31K (as inserted (30.6.2016) by The Limited Liability Partnerships (Register of People with Significant Control) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/340), regs. 1(2)(b), 3, Sch. 1)

790ZEPower to extend option to public companiesU.K.

(1)The Secretary of State may by regulations amend this Act—

(a)to extend this Chapter (with or without modification) to public companies or public companies of a class specified in the regulations, and

(b)to make such other amendments as the Secretary of State thinks fit in consequence of that extension.

(2)Regulations under this section are subject to affirmative resolution procedure.]

CHAPTER 5U.K.Protection from disclosure

790ZF Protection of information as to usual residential addressU.K.

(1)The provisions of sections 240 to 244 (directors' residential addresses: protection from disclosure) apply to information within subsection (2) as to protected information within the meaning of those sections.

(2)The information within this subsection is—

(a)information as to the usual residential address of a person with significant control over a company, and

(b)the information that such a person's service address is his or her usual residential address.

(3)[F49Subsection (1) does not apply to information relating to a person if an application under regulations made under section 790ZG has been granted with respect to that information and not been revoked.]

Textual Amendments

F49S. 790ZF(3) omitted (26.10.2023 but only so far as it confers a power to make regulations or relates to the exercise of the power, otherwise prosp.) by virtue of Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), ss. 91(2), 219(1)(2)(b)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C27S. 790ZF applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2009/2436, Sch. 1 para. 12C (as inserted (26.6.2017) by The Information about People with Significant Control (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/693), regs. 2, 33 (with Sch. Pt. 3))

790ZG Power to make regulations protecting materialU.K.

[F50(1)The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision requiring the registrar and the company to refrain from using or disclosing PSC particulars of a prescribed kind (or to refrain from doing so except in prescribed circumstances) where an application is made to the registrar requesting them to refrain from so doing.

(2)“PSC particulars” are particulars of a person with significant control over the company—

(a)including a person who used to be such a person, but

(b)excluding any person in relation to which this Part has effect by virtue of section 790C(12) as if the person were an individual.

(3)Regulations under this section may make provision as to—

(a)who may make an application,

(b)the grounds on which an application may be made,

(c)the information to be included in and documents to accompany an application,

(d)how an application is to be determined,

(e)the duration of and procedures for revoking the restrictions on use and disclosure,

(f)the operation of sections 790N to 790S in cases where an application is made, and

(g)the charging of fees by the registrar for disclosing PSC particulars where the regulations permit disclosure, by way of exception, in prescribed circumstances.

(4)Provision under subsection (3)(d) and (e) may in particular—

(a)confer a discretion on the registrar;

(b)provide for a question to be referred to a person other than the registrar for the purposes of determining the application or revoking the restrictions.

(5)Regulations under this section are subject to affirmative resolution procedure.

(6)Nothing in this section or in regulations made under it affects the use or disclosure of particulars of a person in any other capacity (for example, the use or disclosure of particulars of a person in that person's capacity as a member or director of the company).]

[F50(1)The Secretary of State may by regulations—

(a)require a company to refrain from using, or refrain from disclosing, relevant PSC particulars except in circumstances specified in the regulations;

(b)confer power on the registrar, on application, to make an order requiring a company to refrain from using, or refrain from disclosing, relevant PSC particulars except in circumstances specified in the regulations.

(2)“Relevant PSC particulars” means such particulars of a person with significant control over the company as may be prescribed.

(3)The reference in subsection (2) to a person with significant control over the company—

(a)includes a person who used to be such a person, but

(b)does not include any person in relation to which this Part has effect by virtue of section 790C(12) as if the person were an individual.

(4)Regulations under subsection (1)(b) may make provision as to—

(a)who may make an application;

(b)the grounds on which an application may be made;

(c)the information to be included in and documents to accompany an application;

(d)how an application is to be determined;

(e)the notice to be given of an application and its outcome;

(f)the duration of and procedures for revoking the restrictions on use and disclosure.

(5)Provision under subsection (4) may in particular—

(a)confer a discretion on the registrar;

(b)provide for a question to be referred to a person other than the registrar for the purposes of determining the application or revoking the restrictions.

(6)Regulations under this section are subject to affirmative resolution procedure.

(7)Nothing in this section or in regulations made under it affects the use or disclosure of particulars of a person in any other capacity (for example, the use or disclosure of particulars of a person in that person‘s capacity as a member or director of the company).]

Textual Amendments

F50Ss. 790ZG, 790ZH substituted for s. 790ZG (26.10.2023 but only so far as it confers a power to make regulations or relates to the exercise of the power, otherwise prosp.) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), ss. 96(2), 219(1)(2)(b)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C28S. 790ZG applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2009/2436, Sch. 1 para. 12C (as inserted (26.6.2017) by The Information about People with Significant Control (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/693), regs. 2, 33 (with Sch. Pt. 3))

C29S. 790ZG(2) applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2009/1804, reg. 31L (as inserted (6.4.2016) by The Limited Liability Partnerships (Register of People with Significant Control) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/340), regs. 1(3), 3, Sch. 1)

[F50790ZHOffence of failing to comply with regulations under section 790ZGU.K.

(1)If a company contravenes a restriction on the use or disclosure of information imposed by virtue of regulations under subsection 790ZG, an offence is committed by—

(a)the company, and

(b)every officer of the company who is in default.

(2)A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction—

(a)in England and Wales, to a fine;

(b)in Scotland or Northern Ireland, to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale and, for continued contravention, a daily default fine not exceeding one-tenth of level 5 on the standard scale.]]

Textual Amendments

F50Ss. 790ZG, 790ZH substituted for s. 790ZG (26.10.2023 but only so far as it confers a power to make regulations or relates to the exercise of the power, otherwise prosp.) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), ss. 96(2), 219(1)(2)(b)

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