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Part 31U.K.Dissolution and restoration to the register

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1Pt. 31 power to apply (with modifications) conferred (E.W.S.) (1.12.2013) by Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies and Credit Unions Act 2010 (c. 7), ss. 4(1)(2)(c), 8(2); S.I. 2013/2936, art. 2

C2Pt. 31 power to apply (with modifications) conferred (1.8.2014) by Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 (c. 14), ss. 135, 154 (with Sch. 5)

C3Pts. 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.Striking off

Registrar's power to strike off defunct companyU.K.

1000Power to strike off company not carrying on business or in operationU.K.

(1)If the registrar has reasonable cause to believe that a company is not carrying on business or in operation, the registrar may send to the company [F1a communication] inquiring whether the company is carrying on business or in operation.

(2)If the registrar does not within [F214 days of sending] [F3 the communication] receive any answer to it, the registrar must within 14 days after the expiration of [F4that period] send to the company [F3a second communication referring to the first communication], and stating—

(a)that no answer to it has been received, and

(b)that if an answer is not received to the second [F5communication] within [F614 days] from its date, a notice will be published in the Gazette with a view to striking the company's name off the register.

(3)If the registrar—

(a)receives an answer to the effect that the company is not carrying on business or in operation, or

(b)does not within [F714 days] after sending the second [F8communication] receive any answer,

the registrar may publish in the Gazette, and send to the company F9 ..., a notice that at the expiration of [F10 2 months ] from the date of the notice the name of the company mentioned in it will, unless cause is shown to the contrary, be struck off the register and the company will be dissolved.

(4)At the expiration of the time mentioned in the notice the registrar may, unless cause to the contrary is previously shown by the company, strike its name off the register.

(5)The registrar must publish notice in the Gazette of the company's name having been struck off the register.

(6)On the publication of the notice in the Gazette the company is dissolved.

(7)However—

(a)the liability (if any) of every director, managing officer and member of the company continues and may be enforced as if the company had not been dissolved, and

(b)nothing in this section affects the power of the court to wind up a company the name of which has been struck off the register.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

1001Duty to act in case of company being wound upU.K.

(1)If, in a case where a company is being wound up—

(a)the registrar has reasonable cause to believe—

(i)that no liquidator is acting, or

(ii)that the affairs of the company are fully wound up, and

(b)the returns required to be made by the liquidator have not been made for a period of six consecutive months,

the registrar must publish in the Gazette and send to the company or the liquidator (if any) a notice that at the expiration of [F112 months] from the date of the notice the name of the company mentioned in it will, unless cause is shown to the contrary, be struck off the register and the company will be dissolved.

(2)At the expiration of the time mentioned in the notice the registrar may, unless cause to the contrary is previously shown by the company, strike its name off the register.

(3)The registrar must publish notice in the Gazette of the company's name having been struck off the register.

(4)On the publication of the notice in the Gazette the company is dissolved.

(5)However—

(a)the liability (if any) of every director, managing officer and member of the company continues and may be enforced as if the company had not been dissolved, and

(b)nothing in this section affects the power of the court to wind up a company the name of which has been struck off the register.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

1002Supplementary provisions as to service of [F12communication] or noticeU.K.

[F13(1)If the registrar is not able to send a communication or notice under section 1000 or 1001 to a company in accordance with Schedule 4, the communication may be sent to an officer of the company at an address for that officer that has been notified to the registrar by the company.]

(2)If there is no officer of the company whose name and address are known to the registrar, the [F14communication] or notice may be sent to each of the persons who subscribed the memorandum (if their addresses are known to the registrar).

[F15(3)A notice to be sent to a liquidator under section 1001 may be sent to the address of the liquidator’s last known place of business or to an address specified by the liquidator to the registrar for the purpose of receiving notices, or notices of that kind.]

[F16(4)In this section “address” has the same meaning as in section 1148(1).]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Voluntary striking offU.K.

1003Striking off on application by companyU.K.

(1)On application by a company, the registrar of companies may strike the company's name off the register.

(2)The application—

(a)must be made on the company's behalf by its directors or by a majority of them, and

(b)must contain the prescribed information.

(3)The registrar may not strike a company off under this section until after the expiration of [F172 months] from the publication by the registrar in the Gazette of a notice—

(a)stating that the registrar may exercise the power under this section in relation to the company, and

(b)inviting any person to show cause why that should not be done.

(4)The registrar must publish notice in the Gazette of the company's name having been struck off.

(5)On the publication of the notice in the Gazette the company is dissolved.

(6)However—

(a)the liability (if any) of every director, managing officer and member of the company continues and may be enforced as if the company had not been dissolved, and

(b)nothing in this section affects the power of the court to wind up a company the name of which has been struck off the register.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Commencement Information

I1S. 1003 wholly in force at 1.10.2009; s. 1003 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 1300; s. 1003 in force for specified purposes at 20.1.2007 by S.I. 2006/3428, art. 3(3) (subject to art. 5, Sch. 1 and with arts. 6, 8, Sch. 5); s. 1003 otherwise in force at 1.10.2009 by S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(o) (with arts. 5, 7, 8, Sch. 2) (as amended by S.I. 2009/1802, art. 18)

1004Circumstances in which application not to be made: activities of companyU.K.

(1)An application under section 1003 (application for voluntary striking off) on behalf of a company must not be made if, at any time in the previous three months, the company has—

(a)changed its name,

(b)traded or otherwise carried on business,

(c)made a disposal for value of property or rights that, immediately before ceasing to trade or otherwise carry on business, it held for the purpose of disposal for gain in the normal course of trading or otherwise carrying on business, or

(d)engaged in any other activity, except one which is—

(i)necessary or expedient for the purpose of making an application under that section, or deciding whether to do so,

(ii)necessary or expedient for the purpose of concluding the affairs of the company,

(iii)necessary or expedient for the purpose of complying with any statutory requirement, or

(iv)specified by the Secretary of State by order for the purposes of this sub-paragraph.

(2)For the purposes of this section, a company is not to be treated as trading or otherwise carrying on business by virtue only of the fact that it makes a payment in respect of a liability incurred in the course of trading or otherwise carrying on business.

(3)The Secretary of State may by order amend subsection (1) for the purpose of altering the period in relation to which the doing of the things mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (d) of that subsection is relevant.

(4)An order under this section is subject to negative resolution procedure.

(5)It is an offence for a person to make an application in contravention of this section.

(6)In proceedings for such an offence it is a defence for the accused to prove that he did not know, and could not reasonably have known, of the existence of the facts that led to the contravention.

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

(a)on conviction on indictment, to a fine;

(b)on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Commencement Information

I2S. 1004 wholly in force at 1.10.2009; s. 1004 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 1300; s. 1004 in force for specified purposes at 20.1.2007 by S.I. 2006/3428, art. 3(3) (subject to art. 5, Sch. 1 and with arts. 6, 8, Sch. 5); s. 1004 otherwise in force at 1.10.2009 by S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(o) (with arts. 5, 7, 8, Sch. 2) (as amended by S.I. 2009/1802, art. 18)

1005Circumstances in which application not to be made: other proceedings not concludedU.K.

(1)An application under section 1003 (application for voluntary striking off) on behalf of a company must not be made at a time when—

(a)an application to the court under Part 26 [F18or 26A] has been made on behalf of the company for the sanctioning of a compromise or arrangement and the matter has not been finally concluded;

(b)a voluntary arrangement in relation to the company has been proposed under Part 1 of the Insolvency Act 1986 (c. 45) or Part 2 of the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (S.I. 1989/2405 (N.I. 19)) and the matter has not been finally concluded;

(c)the company is in administration under Part 2 of that Act or Part 3 of that Order;

(d)paragraph 44 of Schedule B1 to that Act or paragraph 45 of Schedule B1 to that Order applies (interim moratorium on proceedings where application to the court for an administration order has been made or notice of intention to appoint administrator has been filed);

(e)the company is being wound up under Part 4 of that Act or Part 5 of that Order, whether voluntarily or by the court, or a petition under that Part for winding up of the company by the court has been presented and not finally dealt with or withdrawn;

(f)there is a receiver or manager of the company's property;

(g)the company's estate is being administered by a judicial factor.

(2)For the purposes of subsection (1)(a), the matter is finally concluded if—

(a)the application has been withdrawn,

(b)the application has been finally dealt with without a compromise or arrangement being sanctioned by the court, or

(c)a compromise or arrangement has been sanctioned by the court and has, together with anything required to be done under any provision made in relation to the matter by order of the court, been fully carried out.

(3)For the purposes of subsection (1)(b), the matter is finally concluded if—

(a)no meetings are to be summoned under section 3 of the Insolvency Act 1986 (c. 45) or Article 16 of the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989,

(b)meetings summoned under that section or Article fail to approve the arrangement with no, or the same, modifications,

(c)an arrangement approved by meetings summoned under that section, or in consequence of a direction under section 6(4)(b) of that Act or Article 19(4)(b) of that Order, has been fully implemented, or

(d)the court makes an order under section 6(5) of that Act or Article 19(5) of that Order revoking approval given at previous meetings and, if the court gives any directions under section 6(6) of that Act or Article 19(6) of that Order, the company has done whatever it is required to do under those directions.

(4)It is an offence for a person to make an application in contravention of this section.

(5)In proceedings for such an offence it is a defence for the accused to prove that he did not know, and could not reasonably have known, of the existence of the facts that led to the contravention.

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

(a)on conviction on indictment, to a fine;

(b)on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

1006Copy of application to be given to members, employees, etcU.K.

(1)A person who makes an application under section 1003 (application for voluntary striking off) on behalf of a company must secure that, within seven days from the day on which the application is made, a copy of it is given to every person who at any time on that day is—

(a)a member of the company,

(b)an employee of the company,

(c)a creditor of the company,

(d)a director of the company,

(e)a manager or trustee of any pension fund established for the benefit of employees of the company, or

(f)a person of a description specified for the purposes of this paragraph by regulations made by the Secretary of State.

Regulations under paragraph (f) are subject to negative resolution procedure.

(2)Subsection (1) does not require a copy of the application to be given to a director who is a party to the application.

(3)The duty imposed by this section ceases to apply if the application is withdrawn before the end of the period for giving the copy application.

(4)A person who fails to perform the duty imposed on him by this section commits an offence.

If he does so with the intention of concealing the making of the application from the person concerned, he commits an aggravated offence.

(5)In proceedings for an offence under this section it is a defence for the accused to prove that he took all reasonable steps to perform the duty.

(6)A person guilty of an offence under this section (other than an aggravated offence) is liable—

(a)on conviction on indictment, to a fine;

(b)on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum.

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

(a)on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven 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 not exceeding the statutory maximum (or both);

(ii)in Scotland or 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)

Commencement Information

I3S. 1006 wholly in force at 1.10.2009; s. 1006 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 1300; s. 1006 in force for specified purposes at 20.1.2007 by S.I. 2006/3428, art. 3(3) (subject to art. 5, Sch. 1 and with arts. 6, 8, Sch. 5); s. 1006 otherwise in force at 1.10.2009 by S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(o) (with arts. 5, 7, 8, Sch. 2) (as amended by S.I. 2009/1802, art. 18)

1007Copy of application to be given to new members, employees, etcU.K.

(1)This section applies in relation to any time after the day on which a company makes an application under section 1003 (application for voluntary striking off) and before the day on which the application is finally dealt with or withdrawn.

(2)A person who is a director of the company at the end of a day on which a person (other than himself) becomes—

(a)a member of the company,

(b)an employee of the company,

(c)a creditor of the company,

(d)a director of the company,

(e)a manager or trustee of any pension fund established for the benefit of employees of the company, or

(f)a person of a description specified for the purposes of this paragraph by regulations made by the Secretary of State,

must secure that a copy of the application is given to that person within seven days from that day.

Regulations under paragraph (f) are subject to negative resolution procedure.

(3)The duty imposed by this section ceases to apply if the application is finally dealt with or withdrawn before the end of the period for giving the copy application.

(4)A person who fails to perform the duty imposed on him by this section commits an offence.

If he does so with the intention of concealing the making of the application from the person concerned, he commits an aggravated offence.

(5)In proceedings for an offence under this section it is a defence for the accused to prove—

(a)that at the time of the failure he was not aware of the fact that the company had made an application under section 1003, or

(b)that he took all reasonable steps to perform the duty.

(6)A person guilty of an offence under this section (other than an aggravated offence) is liable—

(a)on conviction on indictment, to a fine;

(b)on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum.

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

(a)on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven 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 not exceeding the statutory maximum (or both);

(ii)in Scotland or 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)

Commencement Information

I4S. 1007 wholly in force at 1.10.2009; s. 1007 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 1300; s. 1007 in force for specified purposes at 20.1.2007 by S.I. 2006/3428, art. 3(3) (subject to art. 5, Sch. 1 and with arts. 6, 8, Sch. 5); s. 1007 otherwise in force at 1.10.2009 by S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(o) (with arts. 5, 7, 8, Sch. 2) (as amended by S.I. 2009/1802, art. 18)

1008Copy of application: provisions as to service of documentsU.K.

(1)The following provisions have effect for the purposes of—

(2)A document is treated as given to a person if it is—

(a)delivered to him, or

(b)left at his proper address, or

(c)sent by post to him at that address.

(3)For the purposes of subsection (2) and section 7 of the Interpretation Act 1978 (c. 30) (service of documents by post) as it applies in relation to that subsection, the proper address of a person is—

(a)in the case of a firm incorporated or formed in the United Kingdom, its registered or principal office;

(b)in the case of a firm incorporated or formed outside the United Kingdom—

(i)if it has a place of business in the United Kingdom, its principal office in the United Kingdom, or

(ii)if it does not have a place of business in the United Kingdom, its registered or principal office;

(c)in the case of an individual, his last known address.

(4)In the case of a creditor of the company a document is treated as given to him if it is left or sent by post to him—

(a)at the place of business of his with which the company has had dealings by virtue of which he is a creditor of the company, or

(b)if there is more than one such place of business, at each of them.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

1009Circumstances in which application to be withdrawnU.K.

(1)This section applies where, at any time on or after the day on which a company makes an application under section 1003 (application for voluntary striking off) and before the day on which the application is finally dealt with or withdrawn—

(a)the company—

(i)changes its name,

(ii)trades or otherwise carries on business,

(iii)makes a disposal for value of any property or rights other than those which it was necessary or expedient for it to hold for the purpose of making, or proceeding with, an application under that section, or

(iv)engages in any activity, except one to which subsection (4) applies;

(b)an application is made to the court under Part 26 [F19or 26A] on behalf of the company for the sanctioning of a compromise or arrangement;

(c)a voluntary arrangement in relation to the company is proposed under Part 1 of the Insolvency Act 1986 (c. 45) or Part 2 of the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (S.I. 1989/2405 (N.I. 19));

(d)an application to the court for an administration order in respect of the company is made under paragraph 12 of Schedule B1 to that Act or paragraph 13 of Schedule B1 to that Order;

(e)an administrator is appointed in respect of the company under paragraph 14 or 22 of Schedule B1 to that Act or paragraph 15 or 23 of Schedule B1 to that Order, or a copy of notice of intention to appoint an administrator of the company under any of those provisions is filed with the court;

(f)there arise any of the circumstances in which, under section 84(1) of that Act or Article 70 of that Order, the company may be voluntarily wound up;

(g)a petition is presented for the winding up of the company by the court under Part 4 of that Act or Part 5 of that Order;

(h)a receiver or manager of the company's property is appointed; or

(i)a judicial factor is appointed to administer the company's estate.

(2)A person who, at the end of a day on which any of the events mentioned in subsection (1) occurs, is a director of the company must secure that the company's application is withdrawn forthwith.

(3)For the purposes of subsection (1)(a), a company is not treated as trading or otherwise carrying on business by virtue only of the fact that it makes a payment in respect of a liability incurred in the course of trading or otherwise carrying on business.

(4)The excepted activities referred to in subsection (1)(a)(iv) are—

(a)any activity necessary or expedient for the purposes of—

(i)making, or proceeding with, an application under section 1003 (application for voluntary striking off),

(ii)concluding affairs of the company that are outstanding because of what has been necessary or expedient for the purpose of making, or proceeding with, such an application, or

(iii)complying with any statutory requirement;

(b)any activity specified by the Secretary of State by order for the purposes of this subsection.

An order under paragraph (b) is subject to negative resolution procedure.

(5)A person who fails to perform the duty imposed on him by this section commits an offence.

(6)In proceedings for an offence under this section it is a defence for the accused to prove—

(a)that at the time of the failure he was not aware of the fact that the company had made an application under section 1003, or

(b)that he took all reasonable steps to perform the duty.

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

(a)on conviction on indictment, to a fine;

(b)on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Commencement Information

I5S. 1009 wholly in force at 1.10.2009; s. 1009 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 1300; s. 1009 in force for specified purposes at 20.1.2007 by S.I. 2006/3428, art. 3(3) (subject to art. 5, Sch. 1 and with arts. 6, 8, Sch. 5); s. 1009 otherwise in force at 1.10.2009 by S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(o) (with arts. 5, 7, 8, Sch. 2) (as amended by S.I. 2009/1802, art. 18)

1010Withdrawal of applicationU.K.

An application under section 1003 is withdrawn by notice to the registrar.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

1011Meaning of “creditor”U.K.

In this Chapter “creditor” includes a contingent or prospective creditor.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Chapter 2U.K.Property of dissolved company

Property vesting as bona vacantiaU.K.

1012Property of dissolved company to be bona vacantiaU.K.

(1)When a company is dissolved, all property and rights whatsoever vested in or held on trust for the company immediately before its dissolution (including leasehold property, but not including property held by the company on trust for another person) are deemed to be bona vacantia and—

(a)accordingly belong to the Crown, or to the Duchy of Lancaster or to the Duke of Cornwall for the time being (as the case may be), and

(b)vest and may be dealt with in the same manner as other bona vacantia accruing to the Crown, to the Duchy of Lancaster or to the Duke of Cornwall.

(2)Subsection (1) has effect subject to the possible restoration of the company to the register under Chapter 3 (see section 1034).

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

1013Crown disclaimer of property vesting as bona vacantiaU.K.

(1)Where property vests in the Crown under section 1012, the Crown's title to it under that section may be disclaimed by a notice signed by the Crown representative, that is to say the Treasury Solicitor, or, in relation to property in Scotland, the Queen's and Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer.

(2)The right to execute a notice of disclaimer under this section may be waived by or on behalf of the Crown either expressly or by taking possession.

(3)A notice of disclaimer must be executed within three years after—

(a)the date on which the fact that the property may have vested in the Crown under section 1012 first comes to the notice of the Crown representative, or

(b)if ownership of the property is not established at that date, the end of the period reasonably necessary for the Crown representative to establish the ownership of the property.

(4)If an application in writing is made to the Crown representative by a person interested in the property requiring him to decide whether he will or will not disclaim, any notice of disclaimer must be executed within twelve months after the making of the application or such further period as may be allowed by the court.

(5)A notice of disclaimer under this section is of no effect if it is shown to have been executed after the end of the period specified by subsection (3) or (4).

(6)A notice of disclaimer under this section must be delivered to the registrar and retained and registered by him.

(7)Copies of it must be published in the Gazette and sent to any persons who have given the Crown representative notice that they claim to be interested in the property.

(8)This section applies to property vested in the Duchy of Lancaster or the Duke of Cornwall under section 1012 as if for references to the Crown and the Crown representative there were respectively substituted references to the Duchy of Lancaster and to the Solicitor to that Duchy, or to the Duke of Cornwall and to the Solicitor to the Duchy of Cornwall, as the case may be.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

1014Effect of Crown disclaimerU.K.

(1)Where notice of disclaimer is executed under section 1013 as respects any property, that property is deemed not to have vested in the Crown under section 1012.

(2)The following sections contain provisions as to the effect of the Crown disclaimer—

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Effect of Crown disclaimer: England and Wales and Northern IrelandU.K.

1015General effect of disclaimerU.K.

(1)The Crown's disclaimer operates so as to terminate, as from the date of the disclaimer, the rights, interests and liabilities of the company in or in respect of the property disclaimed.

(2)It does not, except so far as is necessary for the purpose of releasing the company from any liability, affect the rights or liabilities of any other person.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

1016Disclaimer of leaseholdsU.K.

(1)The disclaimer of any property of a leasehold character does not take effect unless a copy of the disclaimer has been served (so far as the Crown representative is aware of their addresses) on every person claiming under the company as underlessee or mortgagee, and either—

(a)no application under section 1017 (power of court to make vesting order) is made with respect to that property before the end of the period of 14 days beginning with the day on which the last notice under this paragraph was served, or

(b)where such an application has been made, the court directs that the disclaimer shall take effect.

(2)Where the court gives a direction under subsection (1)(b) it may also, instead of or in addition to any order it makes under section 1017, make such order as it thinks fit with respect to fixtures, tenant's improvements and other matters arising out of the lease.

(3)In this section the “Crown representative” means—

(a)in relation to property vested in the Duchy of Lancaster, the Solicitor to that Duchy;

(b)in relation to property vested in the Duke of Cornwall, the Solicitor to the Duchy of Cornwall;

(c)in relation to property in Scotland, the Queen's and Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer;

(d)in relation to other property, the Treasury Solicitor.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

1017Power of court to make vesting orderU.K.

(1)The court may on application by a person who—

(a)claims an interest in the disclaimed property, or

(b)is under a liability in respect of the disclaimed property that is not discharged by the disclaimer,

make an order under this section in respect of the property.

(2)An order under this section is an order for the vesting of the disclaimed property in, or its delivery to—

(a)a person entitled to it (or a trustee for such a person), or

(b)a person subject to such a liability as is mentioned in subsection (1)(b) (or a trustee for such a person).

(3)An order under subsection (2)(b) may only be made where it appears to the court that it would be just to do so for the purpose of compensating the person subject to the liability in respect of the disclaimer.

(4)An order under this section may be made on such terms as the court thinks fit.

(5)On a vesting order being made under this section, the property comprised in it vests in the person named in that behalf in the order without conveyance, assignment or transfer.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

1018Protection of persons holding under a leaseU.K.

(1)The court must not make an order under section 1017 vesting property of a leasehold nature in a person claiming under the company as underlessee or mortgagee except on terms making that person—

(a)subject to the same liabilities and obligations as those to which the company was subject under the lease, or

(b)if the court thinks fit, subject to the same liabilities and obligations as if the lease had been assigned to him.

(2)Where the order relates to only part of the property comprised in the lease, subsection (1) applies as if the lease had comprised only the property comprised in the vesting order.

(3)A person claiming under the company as underlessee or mortgagee who declines to accept a vesting order on such terms is excluded from all interest in the property.

(4)If there is no person claiming under the company who is willing to accept an order on such terms, the court has power to vest the company's estate and interest in the property in any person who is liable (whether personally or in a representative character, and whether alone or jointly with the company) to perform the lessee's covenants in the lease.

(5)The court may vest that estate and interest in such a person freed and discharged from all estates, incumbrances and interests created by the company.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

1019Land subject to rentchargeU.K.

Where in consequence of the disclaimer land that is subject to a rentcharge vests in any person, neither he nor his successors in title are subject to any personal liability in respect of sums becoming due under the rentcharge, except sums becoming due after he, or some person claiming under or through him, has taken possession or control of the land or has entered into occupation of it.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Effect of Crown disclaimer: ScotlandU.K.

1020General effect of disclaimerU.K.

(1)The Crown's disclaimer operates to determine, as from the date of the disclaimer, the rights, interests and liabilities of the company, and the property of the company, in or in respect of the property disclaimed.

(2)It does not (except so far as is necessary for the purpose of releasing the company and its property from liability) affect the rights or liabilities of any other person.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

1021Power of court to make vesting orderU.K.

(1)The court may—

(a)on application by a person who either claims an interest in disclaimed property or is under a liability not discharged by this Act in respect of disclaimed property, and

(b)on hearing such persons as it thinks fit,

make an order for the vesting of the property in or its delivery to any persons entitled to it, or to whom it may seem just that the property should be delivered by way of compensation for such liability, or a trustee for him.

(2)The order may be made on such terms as the court thinks fit.

(3)On a vesting order being made under this section, the property comprised in it vests accordingly in the person named in that behalf in the order, without conveyance or assignation for that purpose.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

1022Protection of persons holding under a leaseU.K.

(1)Where the property disclaimed is held under a lease the court must not make a vesting order in favour of a person claiming under the company, whether—

(a)as sub-lessee, or

(b)as creditor in a duly registered or (as the case may be) recorded heritable security over a lease,

except on the following terms.

(2)The person must by the order be made subject—

(a)to the same liabilities and obligations as those to which the company was subject under the lease in respect of the property, or

(b)if the court thinks fit, only to the same liabilities and obligations as if the lease had been assigned to him.

In either event (if the case so requires) the liabilities and obligations must be as if the lease had comprised only the property comprised in the vesting order.

(3)A sub-lessee or creditor declining to accept a vesting order on such terms is excluded from all interest in and security over the property.

(4)If there is no person claiming under the company who is willing to accept an order on such terms, the court has power to vest the company's estate and interest in the property in any person liable (either personally or in a representative character, and either alone or jointly with the company) to perform the lessee's obligations under the lease.

(5)The court may vest that estate and interest in such a person freed and discharged from all interests, rights and obligations created by the company in the lease or in relation to the lease.

(6)For the purposes of this section a heritable security—

(a)is duly recorded if it is recorded in the Register of Sasines, and

(b)is duly registered if registered in accordance with the [F20Land Registration etc. (Scotland) Act 2012 (asp 5)].

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Supplementary provisionsU.K.

1023Liability for rentcharge on company's land after dissolutionU.K.

(1)This section applies where on the dissolution of a company land in England and Wales or Northern Ireland that is subject to a rentcharge vests by operation of law in the Crown or any other person (“the proprietor”).

(2)Neither the proprietor nor his successors in title are subject to any personal liability in respect of sums becoming due under the rentcharge, except sums becoming due after the proprietor, or some person claiming under or through him, has taken possession or control of the land or has entered into occupation of it.

(3)In this section “company” includes any body corporate.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Chapter 3U.K.Restoration to the register

Administrative restoration to the registerU.K.

1024Application for administrative restoration to the registerU.K.

(1)An application may be made to the registrar to restore to the register a company that has been struck off the register under section 1000 or 1001 (power of registrar to strike off defunct company).

(2)An application under this section may be made whether or not the company has in consequence been dissolved.

(3)An application under this section may only be made by a former director or former member of the company.

(4)An application under this section may not be made after the end of the period of six years from the date of the dissolution of the company.

For this purpose an application is made when it is received by the registrar.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

1025Requirements for administrative restorationU.K.

(1)On an application under section 1024 the registrar shall restore the company to the register if, and only if, the following conditions are met.

(2)The first condition is that the company was carrying on business or in operation at the time of its striking off.

(3)The second condition is that, if any property or right previously vested in or held on trust for the company has vested as bona vacantia, the Crown representative has signified to the registrar in writing consent to the company's restoration to the register.

(4)It is the applicant's responsibility to obtain that consent and to pay any costs (in Scotland, expenses) of the Crown representative—

(a)in dealing with the property during the period of dissolution, or

(b)in connection with the proceedings on the application,

that may be demanded as a condition of giving consent.

(5)The third condition is that the applicant has—

(a)delivered to the registrar such documents relating to the company as are necessary to bring up to date the records kept by the registrar, and

(b)paid any penalties under section 453 or corresponding earlier provisions (civil penalty for failure to deliver accounts) that were outstanding at the date of dissolution or striking off.

(6)In this section the “Crown representative” means—

(a)in relation to property vested in the Duchy of Lancaster, the Solicitor to that Duchy;

(b)in relation to property vested in the Duke of Cornwall, the Solicitor to the Duchy of Cornwall;

(c)in relation to property in Scotland, the Queen's and Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer;

(d)in relation to other property, the Treasury Solicitor.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

1026Application to be accompanied by statement of complianceU.K.

(1)An application under section 1024 (application for administrative restoration to the register) must be accompanied by a statement of compliance.

(2)The statement of compliance required is a statement—

(a)that the person making the application has standing to apply (see subsection (3) of that section), and

(b)that the requirements for administrative restoration (see section 1025) are met.

(3)The registrar may accept the statement of compliance as sufficient evidence of those matters.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

1027Registrar's decision on application for administrative restorationU.K.

(1)The registrar must give notice to the applicant of the decision on an application under section 1024 (application for administrative restoration to the register).

(2)If the decision is that the company should be restored to the register, the restoration takes effect as from the date that notice is sent.

(3)In the case of such a decision, the registrar must—

(a)enter on the register a note of the date as from which the company's restoration to the register takes effect, and

(b)cause notice of the restoration to be published in the Gazette.

(4)The notice under subsection (3)(b) must state—

(a)the name of the company or, if the company is restored to the register under a different name (see section 1033), that name and its former name,

(b)the company's registered number, and

(c)the date as from which the restoration of the company to the register takes effect.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

1028Effect of administrative restorationU.K.

(1)The general effect of administrative restoration to the register is that the company is deemed to have continued in existence as if it had not been dissolved or struck off the register.

(2)The company is not liable to a penalty under section 453 or any corresponding earlier provision (civil penalty for failure to deliver accounts) for a financial year in relation to which the period for filing accounts and reports ended—

(a)after the date of dissolution or striking off, and

(b)before the restoration of the company to the register.

(3)The court may give such directions and make such provision as seems just for placing the company and all other persons in the same position (as nearly as may be) as if the company had not been dissolved or struck off the register.

(4)An application to the court for such directions or provision may be made any time within three years after the date of restoration of the company to the register.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

[F211028AAdministrative restoration of company with share warrantsU.K.

(1)This section applies in relation to a company which has been struck off the register under section 1000 or 1001 and which, at the time it was struck off, had any share warrant in issue.

(2)If the registrar restores the company to the register under section 1025, the share warrant and the shares specified in it are cancelled with effect from the date the restoration takes effect.

(3)If as a result of subsection (2) the company has no issued share capital, the company must, before the end of the period of one month beginning with the date the restoration takes effect, allot at least one share in the company; and section 549(1) does not apply to such an allotment.

(4)The company must, before the end of the period of 15 days beginning with the date the restoration takes effect, deliver a statement of capital to the registrar.

(5)Subsection (4) does not apply in a case where the company is required under subsection (3) to make an allotment (because in such a case section 555 will apply).

(6)The statement of capital must state with respect to the company's share capital as reduced by the cancellation of the share warrant and the shares specified in it—

(a)the total number of shares of the company,

(b)the aggregate nominal value of those shares,

(c)the aggregate amount (if any) unpaid on those shares (whether on account of their nominal value or by way of premium), and

(d)for each class of shares—

(i)prescribed particulars of the rights attached to the shares,

(ii)the total number of shares of that class, and

(iii)the aggregate nominal value of shares of that class.

(7)Where a share warrant is cancelled in accordance with subsection (2), the company must, as soon as reasonably practicable—

(a)enter the date the cancellation takes effect in its register of members, or

(b)where an election is in force under section 128B of the Companies Act 2006 (option to keep membership information on central register) in respect of the company, deliver that information to the registrar as if it were information required to be delivered under section 128E of that Act.

(8)Subsection (9) applies where—

(a) any property or right previously vested in or held on trust for the company in respect of any share specified in a share warrant has vested as bona vacantia (see section 1012), and

(b)the warrant and the share are cancelled on the restoration of the company in accordance with this section.

(9)On restoration of the company, that property or right—

(a)may not be returned to the company, and

(b) accordingly, remains vested as bona vacantia .

(10)If default is made in complying with subsection (3) or (4), 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.

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

(a)on conviction on indictment, to a fine;

(b)on summary conviction—

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

(ii)in Scotland or Northern Ireland, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum.]

Textual Amendments

Restoration to the register by the courtU.K.

1029Application to court for restoration to the registerU.K.

(1)An application may be made to the court to restore to the register a company—

(a)that has been dissolved under Chapter 9 of Part 4 of the Insolvency Act 1986 (c. 45) or Chapter 9 of Part 5 of the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (S.I. 1989/2405 (N.I. 19)) (dissolution of company after winding up),

(b)that is deemed to have been dissolved under paragraph 84(6) of Schedule B1 to that Act or paragraph 85(6) of Schedule B1 to that Order (dissolution of company following administration), or

(c)that has been struck off the register—

(i)under section 1000 or 1001 (power of registrar to strike off defunct company), or

(ii)under section 1003 (voluntary striking off),

whether or not the company has in consequence been dissolved.

(2)An application under this section may be made by—

(a)the Secretary of State,

(b)any former director of the company,

(c)any person having an interest in land in which the company had a superior or derivative interest,

(d)any person having an interest in land or other property—

(i)that was subject to rights vested in the company, or

(ii)that was benefited by obligations owed by the company,

(e)any person who but for the company's dissolution would have been in a contractual relationship with it,

(f)any person with a potential legal claim against the company,

(g)any manager or trustee of a pension fund established for the benefit of employees of the company,

(h)any former member of the company (or the personal representatives of such a person),

(i)any person who was a creditor of the company at the time of its striking off or dissolution,

(j)any former liquidator of the company,

(k)where the company was struck off the register under section 1003 (voluntary striking off), any person of a description specified by regulations under section 1006(1)(f) or 1007(2)(f) (persons entitled to notice of application for voluntary striking off),

or by any other person appearing to the court to have an interest in the matter.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

1030When application to the court may be madeU.K.

(1)An application to the court for restoration of a company to the register may be made at any time for the [F22purpose of—

(a)bringing] proceedings against the company for damages for personal [F23injury;

(b)an insurer (within the meaning of the Third Parties (Rights Against Insurers) Act 2010) bringing proceedings against a third party in the name of that company in respect of that company’s liability for damages for personal injury.]

(2)No order shall be made on such an application if it appears to the court that the proceedings would fail by virtue of any enactment as to the time within which proceedings must be brought.

(3)In making that decision the court must have regard to its power under section 1032(3) (power to give consequential directions etc) to direct that the period between the dissolution (or striking off) of the company and the making of the order is not to count for the purposes of any such enactment.

(4)In any other case an application to the court for restoration of a company to the register may not be made after the end of the period of six years from the date of the dissolution of the company, subject as follows.

(5)In a case where—

(a)the company has been struck off the register under section 1000 or 1001 (power of registrar to strike off defunct company),

(b)an application to the registrar has been made under section 1024 (application for administrative restoration to the register) within the time allowed for making such an application, and

(c)the registrar has refused the application,

an application to the court under this section may be made within 28 days of notice of the registrar's decision being issued by the registrar, even if the period of six years mentioned in subsection (4) above has expired.

(6)For the purposes of this section—

(a)“personal injury” includes any disease and any impairment of a person's physical or mental condition; and

(b)references to damages for personal injury include—

(i)any sum claimed by virtue of section 1(2)(c) of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1934 (c. 41) or section 14(2)(c) of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland) 1937 (1937 c. 9 (N.I.)) (funeral expenses)), and

(ii)damages under the Fatal Accidents Act 1976 (c. 30), the [F24Damages (Scotland) Act 2011 (asp 7)] or the Fatal Accidents (Northern Ireland) Order 1977 (S.I. 1977/1251 (N.I. 18)).

Textual Amendments

F24Words in s. 1030(6)(b)(ii) substituted (S.) (7.7.2011) by Damages (Scotland) Act 2011 (asp 7), ss. 15, 19(3)(4), Sch. 1 para. 9 (with ss. 17, 19(2)); S.S.I. 2011/268, art. 3 (with art. 4)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

1031Decision on application for restoration by the courtU.K.

(1)On an application under section 1029 the court may order the restoration of the company to the register—

(a)if the company was struck off the register under section 1000 or 1001 (power of registrar to strike off defunct companies) and the company was, at the time of the striking off, carrying on business or in operation;

(b)if the company was struck off the register under section 1003 (voluntary striking off) and any of the requirements of sections 1004 to 1009 was not complied with;

(c)if in any other case the court considers it just to do so.

(2)If the court orders restoration of the company to the register, the restoration takes effect on a copy of the court's order being delivered to the registrar.

(3)The registrar must cause to be published in the Gazette notice of the restoration of the company to the register.

(4)The notice must state—

(a)the name of the company or, if the company is restored to the register under a different name (see section 1033), that name and its former name,

(b)the company's registered number, and

(c)the date on which the restoration took effect.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

1032Effect of court order for restoration to the registerU.K.

(1)The general effect of an order by the court for restoration to the register is that the company is deemed to have continued in existence as if it had not been dissolved or struck off the register.

(2)The company is not liable to a penalty under section 453 or any corresponding earlier provision (civil penalty for failure to deliver accounts) for a financial year in relation to which the period for filing accounts and reports ended—

(a)after the date of dissolution or striking off, and

(b)before the restoration of the company to the register.

(3)The court may give such directions and make such provision as seems just for placing the company and all other persons in the same position (as nearly as may be) as if the company had not been dissolved or struck off the register.

(4)The court may also give directions as to—

(a)the delivery to the registrar of such documents relating to the company as are necessary to bring up to date the records kept by the registrar,

(b)the payment of the costs (in Scotland, expenses) of the registrar in connection with the proceedings for the restoration of the company to the register,

(c)where any property or right previously vested in or held on trust for the company has vested as bona vacantia, the payment of the costs (in Scotland, expenses) of the Crown representative—

(i)in dealing with the property during the period of dissolution, or

(ii)in connection with the proceedings on the application.

(5)In this section the “Crown representative” means—

(a)in relation to property vested in the Duchy of Lancaster, the Solicitor to that Duchy;

(b)in relation to property vested in the Duke of Cornwall, the Solicitor to the Duchy of Cornwall;

(c)in relation to property in Scotland, the Queen's and Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer;

(d)in relation to other property, the Treasury Solicitor.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

[F251032ARestoration by court of company with share warrantsU.K.

(1)This section applies in relation to a company falling within section 1029(1) if, at the time it was dissolved, deemed to be dissolved or (as the case may be) struck off, it had any share warrant in issue.

(2)If the court orders the restoration of the company to the register, the order must also cancel the share warrant and the shares specified in it with effect from the date the restoration takes effect.

(3)If as a result of subsection (2) the company has no issued share capital, the company must, before the end of the period of one month beginning with the date the restoration takes effect, allot at least one share in the company; and section 549(1) does not apply to such an allotment.

(4)Subsection (6) applies in a case where—

(a)the application under section 1029 was made by a person mentioned in subsection (2)(b) or (h) of that section, or

(b)the court order specifies that it applies.

(5)But subsection (6) does not apply in any case where the company is required under subsection (3) to make an allotment (because in such a case section 555 will apply).

(6)In a case where this subsection applies, the company must, before the end of the period of 15 days beginning with the date the restoration takes effect, deliver a statement of capital to the registrar.

(7)The statement of capital must state with respect to the company's share capital as reduced by the cancellation of the share warrant and the shares specified in it—

(a)the total number of shares of the company,

(b)the aggregate nominal value of those shares,

(c)the aggregate amount (if any) unpaid on those shares (whether on account of their nominal value or by way of premium), and

(d)for each class of shares—

(i)prescribed particulars of the rights attached to the shares,

(ii)the total number of shares of that class, and

(iii)the aggregate nominal value of shares of that class.

(8)Where a share warrant is cancelled by an order as mentioned in subsection (2), the company must, as soon as reasonably practicable—

(a)enter the date the cancellation takes effect in its register of members, or

(b)where an election is in force under section 128B of the Companies Act 2006 (option to keep membership information on central register) in respect of the company, deliver that information to the registrar as if it were information required to be delivered under section 128E of that Act.

(9)Subsection (10) applies where—

(a) any property or right previously vested in or held on trust for the company in respect of any share specified in a share warrant has vested as bona vacantia (see section 1012), and

(b)the warrant and the share are cancelled on the restoration of the company in accordance with this section.

(10)On restoration of the company, that property or right—

(a)may not be returned to the company, and

(b) accordingly, remains vested as bona vacantia .

(11)If default is made in complying with subsection (3) or (6), 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.

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

(a)on conviction on indictment, to a fine;

(b)on summary conviction—

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

(ii)in Scotland or Northern Ireland, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum.]

Textual Amendments

Supplementary provisionsU.K.

1033Company's name on restorationU.K.

(1)A company is restored to the register with the name it had before it was dissolved or struck off the register, subject to the following provisions.

(2)If at the date of restoration the company could not be registered under its former name without contravening section 66 (name not to be the same as another in the registrar's index of company names), it must be restored to the register—

(a)under another name specified—

(i)in the case of administrative restoration, in the application to the registrar, or

(ii)in the case of restoration under a court order, in the court's order, or

(b)as if its registered number was also its name.

References to a company's being registered in a name, and to registration in that context, shall be read as including the company's being restored to the register.

(3)If a company is restored to the register under a name specified in the application to the registrar, the provisions of—

apply as if the application to the registrar were notice of a change of name.

(4)If a company is restored to the register under a name specified in the court's order, the provisions of—

apply as if the copy of the court order delivered to the registrar were notice of a change a name.

(5)If the company is restored to the register as if its registered number was also its name—

(a)the company must change its name within 14 days after the date of the restoration,

(b)the change may be made by resolution of the directors (without prejudice to any other method of changing the company's name),

(c)the company must give notice to the registrar of the change, and

(d)sections 80 and 81 apply as regards the registration and effect of the change.

(6)If the company fails to comply with subsection (5)(a) or (c) an offence is committed by—

(a)the company, and

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

(7)A person guilty of an offence under subsection (6) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale and, for continued contravention, a daily default fine not exceeding [F26one-tenth of level 5 on the standard scale][F26one-tenth of the greater of £5,000 or level 4 on the standard scale].

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

1034Effect of restoration to the register where property has vested as bona vacantiaU.K.

(1)The person in whom any property or right is vested by section 1012 (property of dissolved company to be bona vacantia) may dispose of, or of an interest in, that property or right despite the fact that the company may be restored to the register under this Chapter.

(2)If the company is restored to the register—

(a)the restoration does not affect the disposition (but without prejudice to its effect in relation to any other property or right previously vested in or held on trust for the company), and

(b)the Crown or, as the case may be, the Duke of Cornwall shall pay to the company an amount equal to—

(i)the amount of any consideration received for the property or right or, as the case may be, the interest in it, or

(ii)the value of any such consideration at the time of the disposition,

or, if no consideration was received an amount equal to the value of the property, right or interest disposed of, as at the date of the disposition.

(3)There may be deducted from the amount payable under subsection (2)(b) the reasonable costs of the Crown representative in connection with the disposition (to the extent that they have not been paid as a condition of administrative restoration or pursuant to a court order for restoration).

(4)Where a liability accrues under subsection (2) in respect of any property or right which before the restoration of the company to the register had accrued as bona vacantia to the Duchy of Lancaster, the Attorney General of that Duchy shall represent Her Majesty in any proceedings arising in connection with that liability.

(5)Where a liability accrues under subsection (2) in respect of any property or right which before the restoration of the company to the register had accrued as bona vacantia to the Duchy of Cornwall, such persons as the Duke of Cornwall (or other possessor for the time being of the Duchy) may appoint shall represent the Duke (or other possessor) in any proceedings arising out of that liability.

(6)In this section the “Crown representative” means—

(a)in relation to property vested in the Duchy of Lancaster, the Solicitor to that Duchy;

(b)in relation to property vested in the Duke of Cornwall, the Solicitor to the Duchy of Cornwall;

(c)in relation to property in Scotland, the Queen's and Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer;

(d)in relation to other property, the Treasury Solicitor.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C62S. 1034 applied (with modifications) (8.12.2017) by The Risk Transformation Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/1212), regs. 1(2), 185(5) (with reg. 189)