Part VIIU.K. Accounts and Audit

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1Pt. VII (ss. 221–262) applied with modifications by S.I. 1985/680, regs. 4–6, Sch.

C2Part VII (ss. 221-262) continued by S.I. 1990/355, arts. 6, 7, Sch. 2 para. 13(1)(a)

C3Part VII (ss. 221-262) amended by S.I. 1990/355, arts. 6, 7, Sch. 2 para. 1(2)(5)

C4Part VII (ss. 221-262) extended by S.I. 1990/355, arts. 6, 7, Sch. 2 para. 1(3)(5)

C5Part VII (ss. 221-262) modified by S.I. 1990/355, arts. 6, 7, Sch. 2 paras. 1(4)(5), 3(2)(3)

C6Part VII (ss. 221-262) excluded by S.I. 1990/355, arts. 6, 7, Sch. 2 para. 3(1)(3)

C7Part VII (ss. 221-262) restricted by S.I. 1990/355, arts. 6, 7, Sch. 2 para. 13(1)(b)

Pt. VII (ss. 221-262) applied (with modifications) (21.7.1993) by S.I. 1993/1820, reg. 4, Sch. paras.1, 2 (as amended (1.10.2005) by S.I. 2005/1987, reg. 3)

Pt. VII (ss. 221-262) applied (with modifications) (6.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/1090, reg. 3, Sch. 1 (as amended (4.3.2004) by S.I. 2004/355, art. 8, (1.10.2005) by S.I. 2005/1989, reg. 2, Sch. 1 and (12.1.2006) by S.I. 2005/3442, reg. 2(2)(b), Sch. 2 para. 3(1))

Chapter IU.K. Provisions Applying to Companies Generally

Accounting recordsU.K.

221 Duty to keep accounting records.E+W+S

(1)Every company shall keep accounting records which are sufficient to show and explain the company’s transactions and are such as to—

(a)disclose with reasonable accuracy, at any time, the financial position of the company at that time, and

(b)enable the directors to ensure that [F1any accounts required to be prepared under this Part comply] with the requirements of this Act [F2(and, where applicable, of Article 4 of the IAS Regulation)].

(2)The accounting records shall in particular contain—

(a)entries from day to day of all sums of money received and expended by the company, and the matters in respect of which the receipt and expenditure takes place, and

(b)a record of the assets and liabilities of the company.

(3)If the company’s business involves dealing in goods, the accounting records shall contain-

(a)statements of stock held by the company at the end of each financial year of the company,

(b)all statements of stocktakings from which any such statement of stock as is mentioned in paragraph (a) has been or is to be prepared, and

(c)except in the case of goods sold by way of ordinary retail trade, statements of all goods sold and purchased, showing the goods and the buyers and sellers in sufficient detail to enable all these to be identified.

(4)A parent company which has a subsidiary undertaking in relation to which the above requirements do not apply shall take reasonable steps to secure that the undertaking keeps such accounting records as to enable the directors of the parent company to ensure that [F1any accounts required to be prepared under this Part comply] with the requirements of this Act [F2(and, where applicable, of Article 4 of the IAS Regulation)].

(5)If a company fails to comply with any provision of this section, every officer of the company who is in default is guilty of an offence unless he shows that he acted honestly and that in the circumstances in which the company’s business was carried on the default was excusable.

(6)A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable to imprisonment or a fine, or both.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C9S. 221 excluded (coming into force in accordance with s. 3 of the amending Act) by 1999 c. iv, ss. 3, 7(5)

[F3222 Where and for how long records to be kept. U.K.

(1)A company’s accounting records shall be kept at its registered office or such other place as the directors think fit, and shall at all times be open to inspection by the company’s officers.

(2)If accounting records are kept at a place outside Great Britain, accounts and returns with respect to the business dealt with in the accounting records so kept shall be sent to, and kept at, a place in Great Britain, and shall at all times be open to such inspection.

(3)The accounts and returns to be sent to Great Britain shall be such as to—

(a)disclose with reasonable accuracy the financial position of the business in question at intervals of not more than six months, and

(b)enable the directors to ensure that [F4the accounts required to be prepared under this Part] comply with the requirements of this Act [F5(and, where applicable, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation)].

(4)If a company fails to comply with any provision of subsections (1) to (3), every officer of the company who is in default is guilty of an offence, and liable to imprisonment or a fine or both, unless he shows that he acted honestly and that in the circumstances in which the company’s business was carried on the default was excusable.

(5)Accounting records which a company is required by section 221 to keep shall be preserved by it—

(a)in the case of a private company, for three years from the date on which they are made, and

(b)in the case of a public company, for six years from the date on which they are made.

This is subject to any provision contained in rules made under section 411 of the Insolvency Act 1986 (company insolvency rules).

(6)An officer of a company is guilty of an offence, and liable to imprisonment or a fine or both, if he fails to take all reasonable steps for securing compliance by the company with subsection (5) or intentionally causes any default by the company under that subsection.]

Textual Amendments

F3New ss. 221, 222 inserted (subject to the saving and transitional provisions in S.I. 1990/355, arts. 6–9, Sch. 2), by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 1, 2, 213(2) as part of the text inserted in place of ss. 221–262 (as mentioned in s. 1(a) of the 1989 Act)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C10S. 222 extended by S.I. 1986/304, rule 6

C11S. 222 applied by S.I. 1986/385, rule 6

A company’s financial year and accounting reference periodsE+W+S

223 A company’s financial year.E+W+S

(1)A company’s “financial year” is determined as follows.

(2)Its first financial year begins with the first day of its first accounting reference period and ends with the last day of that period or such other date, not more than seven days before or after the end of that period, as the directors may determine.

(3)Subsequent financial years begin with the day immediately following the end of the company’s previous financial year and end with the last day of its next accounting reference period or such other date, not more than seven days before or after the end of that period, as the directors may determine.

(4)In relation to an undertaking which is not a company, references in this Act to its financial year are to any period in respect of which a profit and loss account of the undertaking is required to be made up (by its constitution or by the law under which it is established), whether that period is a year or not.

(5)The directors of a parent company shall secure that, except where in their opinion there are good reasons against it, the financial year of each of its subsidiary undertakings coincides with the company’s own financial year.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C13S. 223 applied (E.W.) (prosp.) by Charities Act 1992 (c. 41), ss. 1(1), 79(2).

S. 223 applied (E.W.)(temporarily) (1.8.1993) by 1993 c. 10, s. 99(1)(3)(4), Sch. 8 Pt.II

C14S. 223(4) applied (with modifications) (6.3.1997) by S.I. 1997/648, reg. 3(2), Sch. 1 para. 4(1)(a)(ii)

[F6224 Accounting reference periods and accounting reference date.E+W+S

(1)A company’s accounting reference periods are determined according to its accounting reference date.

(2)A company [F7incorporated before 1st April 1996] may, at any time before the end of the period of nine months beginning with the date of its incorporation, by notice in the prescribed form given to the registrar specify its accounting reference date, that is, the date on which its accounting reference period ends in each calendar year.

(3)Failing such notice, [F8the accounting reference date of such a company] is—

(a)in the case of a company incorporated before [F91st April 1990], 31st March;

(b)in the case of a company incorporated after [F101st April 1990], the last day of the month in which the anniversary of its incorporation falls.

[F11(3A)The accounting reference date of a company incorporated on or after 1st April 1996 is the last day of the month in which the anniversary of its incorporation falls.]

(4)A company’s first accounting reference period is the period of more than six months, but not more than 18 months, beginning with the date of its incorporation and ending with its accounting reference date.

(5)Its subsequent accounting reference periods are successiveperiods of twelve months beginning immediately after the end of the previous accounting reference period and ending with its accounting reference date.

(6)This section has effect subject to the provisions of section 225 relating to the alteration of accounting reference dates and the consequences of such alteration.]

Textual Amendments

F6New ss. 223–225 inserted (subject to the saving and transitional provisions in S.I. 1990/355, arts. 6–9, Sch. 2, by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 1, 3, 213(2) as part of the text inserted in place of ss. 221–262 (as mentioned in s. 1(a) of the 1989 Act)

F7Words in s. 224(2) inserted (1.4.1996) by S.I. 1996/189, reg. 2(2)

F8Words in s. 224(3) substituted (1.4.1996) by S.I. 1996/189, reg. 2(3)

F9Words substituted by S.I. 1990/355, art. 15(a)

F10Words substituted by S.I. 1990/355, art. 15(b)

F11S. 224(3A) inserted (1.4.1996) by S.I. 1996/189, reg. 2(4)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

[F12225 Alteration of accounting reference date.E+W+S

(1)A company may by notice in the prescribed form given to the registrar specify a new accounting reference date [F13having effect in relation to -

(a)the company’s current accounting reference period and subsequent periods; or

(b)the company’s previous accounting reference period and subsequent periods.

A company’s “previous accounting reference period” means that immediately preceding its current accounting reference period.]

(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3)The notice shall state whether the current or previous accounting reference period—

(a)is to be shortened, so as to come to an end on the first occasion on which the new accounting reference date falls or fell after the beginning of the period, or

(b)is to be extended, so as to come to an end on the second occasion on which that date falls or fell after the beginning of the period.

(4)A notice under subsection (1) stating that the current [F14or previous] accounting reference period is to be extended is ineffective, except as mentioned below, if given less than five years after the end of an earlier accounting reference period of the company which was extended by virtue of this section.

This subsection does not apply—

(a)

[F15to a notice given by a company which is a subsidiary undertaking or parent undertaking of another EEA undertaking if the new accounting reference date coincides with that of the other EEA undertaking or, where that undertaking is not a company, with the last day of its financial year, or]

(b)

where [F16the company is in administration] under Part II of the Insolvency Act 1986,

or where the Secretary of State directs that it should not apply, which he may do with respect to a notice which has been given or which may be given.

(5)A notice under [F17subsection (1)]may not be given [F18in respect of a previous accounting reference period]if the period allowed for laying and delivering accounts and reports in relation to [F19that period] has already expired.

(6)[F20A company’s accounting reference period may not in any case, unless the company is in administration] under Part II of the Insolvency Act 1986, be extended so as to exceed 18 months and a notice under this section is ineffective if the current or previous accounting reference period as extended in accordance with the notice would exceed that limit.]

[F21(7)In this section “EEA undertaking” means an undertaking established under the law of any part of the United Kingdom or the law of any other EEA State.]

Textual Amendments

F12New ss. 223–225 inserted (subject to the saving and transitional provisions in S.I. 1990/355, arts. 6–9, Sch. 2, by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 1, 3, 213(2) as part of the text inserted in place of ss. 221–262 (as mentioned in s. 1(a) of the 1989 Act)

F13S. 225(1)(a)(b) and words preceding and subsequent to them substituted (1.4.1996) for words in s. 225(1) by S.I. 1996/189, reg. 3(2)

F14Words in s. 225(3) inserted (1.4.1996) by S.I. 1996/189, reg. 3(4)(a)

F15S. 225(4)(a) substituted (1.4.1996) by S.I. 1996/189, reg. 3(4)(b)

F16Words in s. 225(4) substituted (15.9.2003) by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 248, 279, Sch. 17 para. 4(a) (with s. 249(1)-(3)); S.I. 2003/2093, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 (subject to transitional provisions in arts. 3-8 (as amended by S.I. 2003/2332, S.I. 2003/3340))

F17Words in s. 225(5) substituted (1.4.1996) by S.I. 1996/189, reg. 3(5)(a)

F18Words in s. 225(5) inserted (1.4.1996) by S.I. 1996/189, reg. 3(5)(b)

F19Words in s. 225(5) substituted (1.4.1996) by 1996/189, reg. 3(5)(c)

F20Words in s. 225(6) substituted (15.9.2003) by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 248, 279, Sch. 17 para. 4(b) (with s. 249(1)-(3)); S.I. 2003/2093, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 (subject to transitional provisions in arts. 3-8 (as amended by S.I. 2003/2332, S.I. 2003/3340))

F21S. 225(7) inserted (1.4.1996) by 1996/189, reg. 3(6)

Annual accountsU.K.

[F22226 Duty to prepare individual accounts.E+W+S

 

(1)The directors of every company shall prepare accounts for the company for each of its financial years.

(2)A company’s individual accounts may be prepared–

(a)in accordance with section 226A (“Companies Act individual accounts”), or

(b)in accordance with international accounting standards (“IAS individual accounts”).

This subsection is subject to the following provisions of this section and section 227C (consistency of accounts).

(3)The individual accounts of a company that is a charity must be Companies Act individual accounts.

(4)After the first financial year in which the directors of a company prepare IAS individual accounts (“the first IAS year”), all subsequent individual accounts of the company must be prepared in accordance with international accounting standards unless there is a relevant change of circumstance.

(5)There is a relevant change of circumstance if, at any time during or after the first IAS year–

(a)the company becomes a subsidiary undertaking of another undertaking that does not prepare IAS individual accounts,

(b)the company ceases to be a company with securities admitted to trading on a regulated market, or

(c)a parent undertaking of the company ceases to be an undertaking with securities admitted to trading on a regulated market.

(6)If, having changed to preparing Companies Act individual accounts following a relevant change of circumstance, the directors again prepare IAS individual accounts for the company, subsections (4) and (5) apply again as if the first financial year for which such accounts are again prepared were the first IAS year.]

Textual Amendments

F22Ss. 226-227C substituted (12.11.2004 with effect as mentioned in reg. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) for ss. 226, 227 by The Companies Act 1985 (International Accounting Standards and Other Accounting Amendments) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/2947), reg. 2

F23O.J. L141 of 11.6.1993 page 27, as last amended by Directive 2000/64/EEC of the European Parliament and of the Council (O.J. L290 of 17.11.2000, page 27).

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C16S. 226 modified (temp.) (in force in accordance with s. 3 of the amending Act) by 1999 c. iv, ss. 3, 7(6)

C17Ss. 226-237 extended (with modifications) (19.12.1993) by S.I. 1993/3245, reg.3

226ACompanies Act individual accountsU.K.

 

(1)Companies Act individual accounts must comprise–

(a)a balance sheet as at the last day of the financial year, and

(b)a profit and loss account.

(2)The balance sheet must give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company as at the end of the financial year; and the profit and loss account must give a true and fair view of the profit or loss of the company for the financial year.

(3)Companies Act individual accounts must comply with the provisions of Schedule 4 as to the form and content of the balance sheet and profit and loss account and additional information to be provided by way of notes to the accounts.

(4)Where compliance with the provisions of that Schedule, and the other provisions of this Act as to the matters to be included in a company’s individual accounts or in notes to those accounts, would not be sufficient to give a true and fair view, the necessary additional information must be given in the accounts or in a note to them.

(5)If in special circumstances compliance with any of those provisions is inconsistent with the requirement to give a true and fair view, the directors must depart from that provision to the extent necessary to give a true and fair view.

(6)Particulars of any such departure, the reasons for it and its effect must be given in a note to the accounts.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

226BIAS individual accountsU.K.

Where the directors of a company prepare IAS individual accounts, they must state in the notes to those accounts that the accounts have been prepared in accordance with international accounting standards.

[F24227 Duty to prepare group accounts.U.K.

 

(1)If at the end of a financial year a company is a parent company the directors, as well as preparing individual accounts for the year, shall prepare consolidated accounts for the group for the year.

(2)The group accounts of certain parent companies are required by Article 4 of the IAS Regulation to be prepared in accordance with international accounting standards (“IAS group accounts”).

(3)The group accounts of other companies may be prepared–

(a)in accordance with section 227A (“Companies Act group accounts”), or

(b)in accordance with international accounting standards (“IAS group accounts”).

This subsection is subject to the following provisions of this section.

(4)The group accounts of a parent company that is a charity must be Companies Act group accounts.

(5)After the first financial year in which the directors of a parent company prepare IAS group accounts (“the first IAS year”), all subsequent group accounts of the company must be prepared in accordance with international accounting standards unless there is a relevant change of circumstance.

(6)There is a relevant change of circumstance if, at any time during or after the first IAS year–

(a)the company becomes a subsidiary undertaking of another undertaking that does not prepare IAS group accounts,

(b)the company ceases to be a company with securities admitted to trading on a regulated market, or

(c)a parent undertaking of the company ceases to be an undertaking with securities admitted to trading on a regulated market.

(7)If, having changed to preparing Companies Act group accounts following a relevant change of circumstance, the directors again prepare IAS group accounts for the company, subsections (5) and (6) apply again as if the first financial year for which such accounts are again prepared were the first IAS year.

(8)This section is subject to the exemptions provided by sections 228 (parent companies included in accounts of larger EEA group), 228A (parent companies included in non-EEA group accounts), 229(5) (all subsidiary undertakings excluded from consolidation) and 248 (small and medium-sized groups).]

Textual Amendments

F24Ss. 226-227C substituted (12.11.2004 with effect as mentioned in reg. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) for ss. 226, 227 by The Companies Act 1985 (International Accounting Standards and Other Accounting Amendments) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/2947), reg. 2

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C20Ss. 226-237 extended (with modifications) (19.12.1993) by S.I. 1993/3245, reg.3

227ACompanies Act group accountsU.K.

 

(1)Companies Act group accounts must comprise–

(a)a consolidated balance sheet dealing with the state of affairs of the parent company and its subsidiary undertakings, and

(b)a consolidated profit and loss account dealing with the profit or loss of the parent company and its subsidiary undertakings.

(2)The accounts must give a true and fair view of the state of affairs as at the end of the financial year, and the profit or loss for the financial year, of the undertakings included in the consolidation as a whole, so far as concerns members of the company.

(3)Companies Act group accounts must comply with the provisions of Schedule 4A as to the form and content of the consolidated balance sheet and consolidated profit and loss account and additional information to be provided by way of notes to the accounts.

(4)Where compliance with the provisions of that Schedule, and the other provisions of this Act as to the matters to be included in a company’s group accounts or in notes to those accounts, would not be sufficient to give a true and fair view, the necessary additional information must be given in the accounts or in a note to them.

(5)If in special circumstances compliance with any of those provisions is inconsistent with the requirement to give a true and fair view, the directors must depart from that provision to the extent necessary to give a true and fair view.

(6)Particulars of any such departure, the reasons for it and its effect must be given in a note to the accounts.

227BIAS group accountsU.K.

Where the directors of a parent company prepare IAS group accounts, they must state in the notes to those accounts that the accounts have been prepared in accordance with international accounting standards.

227CConsistency of accountsU.K.

 

(1)The directors of a parent company must secure that the individual accounts of–

(a)the parent company, and

(b)each of its subsidiary undertakings,

are all prepared using the same financial reporting framework, except to the extent that in their opinion there are good reasons for not doing so.

(2)Subsection (1) does not apply if the directors do not prepare group accounts for the parent company.

(3)Subsection (1) only applies to accounts of subsidiary undertakings that are required to be prepared under this Part.

(4) Subsection (1) does not require accounts of undertakings that are charities to be prepared using the same financial reporting framework as accounts of undertakings which are not charities.

(5) Subsection (1)(a) does not apply where the directors of a parent company prepare IAS group accounts and IAS individual accounts.

[F25228 Exemption for parent companies included in accounts of larger group.U.K.

(1)A company is exempt from the requirement to prepare group accounts if it is itself a subsidiary undertaking and its immediate parent undertaking is established under the law of [F26an EEA State] , in the following cases—

(a)where the company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of that parent undertaking;

(b)where the parent undertaking holds more than 50 per cent. of the shares in the company and notice requesting the preparation of group accounts has not been served on the company by shareholders holding in aggregate—

(i)more than half of the remaining shares in the company, or

(ii)5 per cent. of the total shares in the company.

Such notice must be served not later than six months after the end of the financial year before that to which it relates.

(2)Exemption is conditional upon compliance with all of the following conditions—

(a)that the company is included in consolidated accounts for a larger group drawn up to the same date, or to an earlier date in the same financial year, by a parent undertaking established under the law of [F26an EEA State];

(b)that those accounts are drawn up and audited, and that parent undertaking’s annual report is drawn up, according to that law, in accordance with the provisions of the Seventh Directive (83/349/EEC) [F27(where applicable as modified by the provisions of the Bank Accounts Directive 86/635/EEC) [F28or the Insurance Accounts Directive (91/674/EEC)])][F29or in accordance with international accounting standards];

(c)that the company discloses in its individual accounts that it is exempt from the obligation to prepare and deliver group accounts;

(d)that the company states in its individual accounts the name of the parent undertaking which draws up the group accounts referred to above and—

(i)if it is incorporated outside Great Britain, the country in which it is incorporated,

F30(ii). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(iii)if it is unincorporated, the address of its principal place of business;

(e)that the company delivers to the registrar, within the period allowed for delivering its individual accounts, copies of those group accounts and of the parent undertaking’s annual report, together with the auditors’ report on them; and

(f)F31. . . that if any document comprised in accounts and reports delivered in accordance with paragraph (e) is in a language other than English, there is annexed to the copy of that document delivered a translation of it into English, certified in the prescribed manner to be a correct translation.

(3)The exemption does not apply to a company any of whose securities are [F32admitted to trading on a regulated market of any EEA State within the meaning of Council Directive 93/22/EEC on investment services in the securities field] .

(4)Shares held by directors of a company for the purpose of complying with any share qualification requirement shall be disregarded in determining for the purposes of subsection (1)(a) whether the company is a wholly-owned subsidiary.

(5)For the purposes of subsection (1)(b) shares held by a wholly-owned subsidiary of the parent undertaking, or held on behalf of the parent undertaking or a wholly-owned subsidiary, shall be attributed to the parent undertaking.

(6)In subsection (3) “securities” includes—

(a)shares and stock,

(b)debentures, including debenture stock, loan stock, bonds, certificates of deposit and other instruments creating or acknowledging indebtedness,

(c)warrants or other instruments entitling the holder to subscribe for securities falling within paragraph (a) or (b), and

(d)certificates or other instruments which confer—

(i)property rights in respect of a security falling within paragraph (a), (b) or (c),

(ii)any right to acquire, dispose of, underwrite or convert a security, being a right to which the holder would be entitled if he held any such security to which the certificate or other instrument relates, or

(iii)a contractual right (other than an option) to acquire any such security otherwise than by subscription.]

Textual Amendments

F25New ss. 228, 229 inserted (subject to the savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 1990/355, arts. 6–9, Sch. 2), by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 1, 5(3), 213(2) as part of the text inserted in place of ss. 221–262 (as mentioned in s. 1(a) of the 1989 Act)

F27Words in s. 228(2)(b) inserted (1.1.1993) by S.I. 1992/3178, reg. 4.

F28Words in s. 228(2)(b) inserted (19.12.1993) by S.I. 1993/3246, regs. 5(1), 6, 7, Sch. 2 para. 1

F30S. 228(2)(d)(ii) repealed (2.2.1996) by S.I. 1996/189, reg. 4

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C21Ss. 226-237 extended (with modifications) (19.12.1993) by S.I. 1993/3245, reg. 3

228AExemption for parent companies included in non-EEA group accountsU.K.

 

(1)A company is exempt from the requirement to prepare group accounts if it is itself a subsidiary undertaking and its parent undertaking is not established under the law of an EEA State, in the following cases –

(a)where the company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of that parent undertaking;

(b)where that parent undertaking holds more than 50 per cent of the shares in the company and notice requesting the preparation of group accounts has not been served on the company by shareholders holding in aggregate–

(i)more than half of the remaining shares in the company, or

(ii)5 per cent of the total shares in the company.

Such notice must be served not later than six months after the end of the financial year before that to which it relates.

(2)Exemption is conditional upon compliance with all of the following conditions–

(a)that the company and all of its subsidiary undertakings are included in consolidated accounts for a larger group drawn up to the same date, or to an earlier date in the same financial year, by a parent undertaking;

(b)that those accounts and, where appropriate, the group’s annual report, are drawn up in accordance with the provisions of the Seventh Directive (83/349/EEC) (where applicable as modified by the provisions of the Bank Accounts Directive (86/635/EEC) or the Insurance Accounts Directive (91/674/EEC)), or in a manner equivalent to consolidated accounts and consolidated annual reports so drawn up;

(c)that the consolidated accounts are audited by one or more persons authorised to audit accounts under the law under which the parent undertaking which draws them up is established;

(d)that the company discloses in its individual accounts that it is exempt from the obligation to prepare and deliver group accounts;

(e)that the company states in its individual accounts the name of the parent undertaking which draws up the group accounts referred to above and–

(i)if it is incorporated outside Great Britain, the country in which it is incorporated, and

(ii)if it is unincorporated, the address of its principal place of business;

(f)that the company delivers to the registrar, within the period allowed for delivering its individual accounts, copies of the group accounts and, where appropriate, of the consolidated annual report, together with the auditors' report on them; and

(g)F33. . . that if any document comprised in accounts and reports delivered in accordance with paragraph (f) is in a language other than English, there is annexed to the copy of that document delivered a translation of it into English, certified in the prescribed manner to be a correct translation.

(3)The exemption does not apply to a company any of whose securities are admitted to trading on a regulated market of any EEA State within the meaning of Council Directive 93/22/EEC on investment services in the securities field.

(4)Shares held by directors of a company for the purpose of complying with any share qualification requirement are disregarded in determining for the purposes of subsection (1)(a) whether the company is a wholly-owned subsidiary.

(5)For the purposes of subsection (1)(b), shares held by a wholly-owned subsidiary of the parent undertaking, or held on behalf of the parent undertaking or a wholly-owned subsidiary, are attributed to the parent undertaking.

(6)In subsection (3) “securities” includes–

(a)shares and stock,

(b)debentures, including debenture stock, loan stock, bonds, certificates of deposit and other instruments creating or acknowledging indebtedness,

(c)warrants or other instruments entitling the holder to subscribe for securities falling within paragraph (a) or (b), and

(d)certificates or other instruments which confer–

(i)property rights in respect of a security falling within paragraph (a), (b) or (c),

(ii)any right to acquire, dispose of, underwrite or convert a security, being a right to which the holder would be entitled if he held any such security to which the certificate or other instrument relates, or

(iii)a contractual right (other than an option) to acquire any such security otherwise than by subscription.

Textual Amendments

[F34F35229 Subsidiary undertakings included in the consolidation.E+W+S

(1)[F36In the case of Companies Act group accounts,] subject to the exceptions authorised F37. . . by this section, all the subsidiary undertakings of the parent company shall be included in the consolidation.

(2)A subsidiary undertaking may be excluded from consolidation [F38in Companies Act group accounts] if its inclusion is not material for the purpose of giving a true and fair view; but two or more undertakings may be excluded only if they are not material taken together.

(3)In addition, a subsidiary undertaking may be excluded from consolidation [F38in Companies Act group accounts] where—

(a)severe long-term restrictions substantially hinder the exercise of the rights of the parent company over the assets or management of that undertaking, or

(b)the information necessary for the preparation of group accounts cannot be obtained without disproportionate expense or undue delay, or

(c)the interest of the parent company is held exclusively with a view to subsequent resale F39. . .

The reference in paragraph (a) to the rights of the parent company and the reference in paragraph (c) to the interest of the parent company are, respectively, to rights and interests held by or attributed to the company for the purposes of section 258(definition of “parent undertaking”) in the absence of which it would not be the parent company.

(4)F40. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F41(5)A parent company is exempt from the requirement to prepare group accounts if under subsection (2) or (3) all of its subsidiary undertakings could be excluded from consolidation in Companies Act group accounts.]]

Textual Amendments

F34New ss. 228, 229 inserted (subject to the savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 1990/355, arts. 6–9, Sch. 2), by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 1, 5(3), 213(2) as part of the text inserted in place of ss. 221–262 (as mentioned in s. 1(a) of the 1989 Act)

F35Ss. 226-237 extended (with modifications) (19.12.1993) by S.I. 1993/3245, reg.3

F39Words in s. 229(3)(c) omitted (12.11.2004 with effect as mentioned in reg. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Companies Act 1985 (International Accounting Standards and Other Accounting Amendments) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/2947), reg. 5(a)

[F42230 Treatment of individual profit and loss account where group accounts prepared.E+W+S

(1)The following provisions apply with respect to the individual profit and loss account of a parent company where—

(a)the company is required to prepare and does prepare group accounts in accordance with this Act, and

(b)the notes of the company’s individual balance sheet show the company’s profit or loss for the financial year determined in accordance with this Act.

(2)[F43Where the company prepares Companies Act individual accounts,] the profit and loss account need not contain the information specified in paragraphs 52 to 57 of Schedule 4 (information supplementing the profit and loss account).

(3)The profit and loss account must be approved in accordance with section 233(1) (approval by board of directors) but may be omitted from the company’s annual accounts for the purposes of the other provisions below in this Chapter.

(4)The exemption conferred by this section is conditional upon its being disclosed in the company’s annual accounts that the exemption applies.]

Textual Amendments

F42New s. 230 inserted (subject to the savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 1990/355, arts. 6–9, Sch. 2), by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 1, 5(4), 213(2) as part of the text inserted in place of ss. 221–261 (as mentioned in s. 1(a) of the 1989 Act)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C23Ss. 226-237 extended (with modifications) (19.12.1993) by S.I. 1993/3245, reg.3

[F44231 Disclosure required in notes to accounts:related undertakings.E+W+S

(1)The information specified in Schedule 5 shall be given in notes to a company’s annual accounts.

(2)Where the company is not required to prepare group accounts, the information specified in Part I of that Schedule shall be given; and where the company is required to prepare group accounts, the information specified in Part II of that Schedule shall be given.

(3)The information required by Schedule 5 need not be disclosed with respect to an undertaking which—

(a)is established under the law of a country outside the United Kingdom, or

(b)carries on business outside the United Kingdom.

if in the opinion of the directors of the company the disclosure would be seriously prejudicial to the business of that undertaking, or to the business of the company or any of its subsidiary undertakings, and the Secretary of State agrees that the information need not be disclosed.

This subsection does not apply in relation to the information required under [F45paragraph F46. . ., 6, 9A, 20 or 28A] of that Schedule.

(4)Where advantage is taken of subsection (3), that fact shall be stated in a note to the company’s annual accounts.

(5)If the directors of the company are of the opinion that the number of undertakings in respect of which the company is required to disclose information under any provision of Schedule 5 to this Act is such that compliance with that provision would result in information of excessive length being given, the information need only be given in respect of—

(a)the undertakings whose results or financial position, in the opinion of the directors, principally affected the figures shown in the company’s annual accounts, and

(b)undertakings excluded from consolidation under section 229(3)F47. . . .

F48. . .

(6)If advantage is taken of subsection (5)—

(a)there shall be included in the notes to the company’s annual accounts a statement that the information is given only with respect to such undertakings as are mentioned in that subsection, and

(b)the full information (both that which is disclosed in the notes to the accounts and that which is not) shall be annexed to the company’s next annual return.

For this purpose the “next annual return” means that next delivered to the registrar after the accounts in question have been approved under section 233.

(7)If a company fails to comply with subsection (6)(b), the company and every officer of it who is in default is liable to a fine and, for continued contravention, to a daily default fine.]

Textual Amendments

F44New s. 231 inserted (subject to the savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 1990/355, arts. 6–9, Sch. 2), by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 1, 6(1), 213(2) as part of the text inserted in place of ss. 221–261 (as mentioned in s. 1(a) of the 1989 Act)

F45Words in s. 231(3) substituted (21.7.1993) by S.I. 1993/1820, reg. 11(1)

F46Words in s. 231(3) repealed (2.2.1996) by 1996/189, reg. 15(1)

F47S. 231(5)(b) omitted (12.11.2004 with effect as mentioned in reg. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Companies Act 1985 (International Accounting Standards and Other Accounting Amendments) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/2947), reg. 15 {Sch. 1 para. 5}

F48Words in s. 231(5) repealed (2.2.1996) by 1996/189, reg. 15(1)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C25Ss. 226-237 extended (with modifications) (19.12.1993) by S.I. 1993/3245, reg. 3

231ADisclosure required in notes to annual accounts: particulars of staffU.K.

 

(1)The following information with respect to the employees of the company must be given in notes to the company’s annual accounts–

(a)the average number of persons employed by the company in the financial year, and

(b)the average number of persons so employed within each category of persons employed by the company.

(2)The average number required by subsection (1)(a) or (b) is determined by dividing the relevant annual number by the number of months in the financial year.

(3)The relevant annual number is determined by ascertaining for each month in the financial year–

(a)for the purposes of subsection (1)(a), the number of persons employed under contracts of service by the company in that month (whether throughout the month or not);

(b)for the purposes of subsection (1)(b), the number of persons in the category in question of persons so employed;

and, in either case, adding together all the monthly numbers.

(4)In respect of all persons employed by the company during the financial year who are taken into account in determining the relevant annual number for the purposes of subsection (1)(a) there must also be stated the aggregate amounts respectively of–

(a)wages and salaries paid or payable in respect of that year to those persons;

(b)social security costs incurred by the company on their behalf; and

(c)other pension costs so incurred.

This does not apply in so far as those amounts, or any of them, are stated elsewhere in the company’s accounts.

(5)For the purposes of subsection (1)(b), the categories of person employed by the company are such as the directors may select, having regard to the manner in which the company’s activities are organised.

(6)This section applies in relation to group accounts as if the undertakings included in the consolidation were a single company.

(7)In this section “social security costs” and “pension costs” have the same meaning as in Schedule 4 (see paragraph 94(1) and (2) of that Schedule).

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

[F49232 Disclosure required in notes to accounts: emoluments and other benefits of directors and others.E+W+S

[F50(1)The information specified in Schedule 6 shall be given in notes to a company’s annual accounts, save that the information specified in paragraphs 2-14 in Part I of Schedule 6 shall be given only in the case of a company which is not a quoted company.]

(2)In that Schedule—

Part I relates to the emoluments of directors (including emoluments waived), pensions of directors and past directors, compensation for loss of office to directors and past directors and sums paid to third parties in respect of directors’ services,

Part II relates to loans, quasi-loans and other dealings in favour of directors and connected persons, and

Part III relates to transactions, arrangements and agreements made by the company or a subsidiary undertaking for officers of the company other than directors.

(3)It is the duty of any director of a company, and any person who is or has at any time in the preceding five years been an officer of the company, to give notice to the company of such matters relating to himself as may be necessary for the purposes of Part I of Schedule 6.

(4)A person who makes default in complying with subsection (3) commits an offence and is liable to a fine.]

Textual Amendments

F49New s. 232 inserted (subject to the savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 1990/355, arts. 6–9, Sch. 2), by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 1, 6(3), 213(2) as part of the text inserted in place of ss. 221–261 (as mentioned in s. 1(a) of the 1989 Act)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C28Ss. 226-237 extended (with modifications) (19.12.1993) by S.I. 1993/3245, reg.3

Approval and signing of accountsE+W+S

233 Approval and signing of accounts E+W+S

(1)A company’s annual accounts shall be approved by the board of directors and signed on behalf of the board by a director of the company.

(2)The signature shall be on the company’s balance sheet.

(3)Every copy of the balance sheet which is laid before the company in general meeting, or which is otherwise circulated, published or issued, shall state the name of the person who signed the balance sheet on behalf of the board.

(4)The copy of the company’s balance sheet which is delivered to the registrar shall be signed on behalf of the board by a director of the company.

(5)If annual accounts are approved which do not comply with the requirements of this Act [F51(or, where applicable, of Article 4 of the IAS Regulation)] , every director of the company who is party to their approval and who knows that they do not comply or is reckless as to whether they comply is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine.

For this purpose every director of the company at the time the accounts are approved shall be taken to be a party to their approval unless he shows that he took all reasonable steps to prevent their being approved.

(6)If a copy of the balance sheet—

(a)is laid before the company, or otherwise circulated, published or issued, without the balance sheet having been signed as required by this section or without the required statement of the signatory’s name being included, or

(b)is delivered to the registrar without being signed as required by this section,

the company and every officer of it who is in default is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C30S. 233 applied with modifications by S.I. 1990/2570, reg. 4(1)

C31S. 233 restricted by S.I. 1990/2570, reg. 4(2)

C32Ss. 226-237 extended (with modifications) (19.12.1993) by S.I. 1993/3245, reg.3

C34S. 233(5) applied with modifications by S.I. 1990/2570, reg. 4(2)

[F52Directors' report]U.K.

Textual Amendments

F52Cross-heading and ss. 234, 234ZZA, 234ZZB substituted for s. 234 and preceding cross-heading (22.3.2005) by The Companies Act 1985 (Operating and Financial Review and Directors' Report etc.) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/1011), reg. 2

[F53234 Duty to prepare directors' report.E+W+S

(1)The directors of a company shall for each financial year prepare a report (a “directors' report”) complying with the general requirements of section 234ZZA and containing—

(a)the business review specified in section 234ZZB, and

(b)if section 234ZA applies to the report, the statement as to disclosure of information to auditors required by that section.

(2)For a financial year in which—

(a)the company is a parent company, and

(b)the directors of the company prepare group accounts,

the directors' report must be a consolidated report (a “group directors' report”) relating, to the extent specified in the following provisions of this Part, to the company and its subsidiary undertakings included in the consolidation.

(3)A group directors' report may, where appropriate, give greater emphasis to the matters that are significant to the company and its subsidiary undertakings included in the consolidation, taken as a whole.

(4)F54. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5)If a directors' report does not comply with the provisions of this Part relating to the preparation and contents of the report, every director of the company who—

(a)knew that it did not comply or was reckless as to whether it complied, and

(b)failed to take all reasonable steps to secure compliance with the provision in question,

is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine.]

Textual Amendments

F53Cross-heading and ss. 234, 234ZZA, 234ZZB substituted for s. 234 and preceding cross-heading (22.3.2005) by The Companies Act 1985 (Operating and Financial Review and Directors' Report etc.) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/1011), reg. 2

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C36Ss. 226-237 extended (with modifications) (19.12.1993) by S.I. 1993/3245, reg. 3

234ZZADirectors' report: general requirementsU.K.

(1)The directors' report for a financial year must state—

(a)the names of the persons who, at any time during the financial year, were directors of the company,

(b)the principal activities of the company in the course of the year, and

(c)the amount (if any) that the directors recommend should be paid by way of dividend.

(2)In relation to a group directors' report subsection (1)(b) has effect as if the reference to the company was a reference to the company and its subsidiary undertakings included in the consolidation.

(3)The report must also comply with Schedule 7 as regards the disclosure of the matters mentioned there.

(4)In Schedule 7—

234ZZBDirectors' report: business reviewU.K.

(1)The directors' report for a financial year must contain—

(a)a fair review of the business of the company, and

(b)a description of the principal risks and uncertainties facing the company.

(2)The review required is a balanced and comprehensive analysis of—

(a)the development and performance of the business of the company during the financial year, and

(b)the position of the company at the end of that year,

consistent with the size and complexity of the business.

(3)The review must, to the extent necessary for an understanding of the development, performance or position of the business of the company, include—

(a)analysis using financial key performance indicators, and

(b)where appropriate, analysis using other key performance indicators, including information relating to environmental matters and employee matters.

(4)The review must, where appropriate, include references to, and additional explanations of, amounts included in the annual accounts of the company.

(5)In this section, “key performance indicators” means factors by reference to which the development, performance or position of the business of the company can be measured effectively.

(6)In relation to a group directors' report this section has effect as if the references to the company were references to the company and its subsidiary undertakings included in the consolidation.

234ZAStatement as to disclosure of information to auditorsU.K.

(1)This section applies to a directors' report unless the directors have taken advantage of the exemption conferred by section 249A(1) or 249AA(1).

(2)The report must contain a statement to the effect that, in the case of each of the persons who are directors at the time when the report is approved under section 234A, the following applies—

(a)so far as the director is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the company’s auditors are unaware, and

(b)he has taken all the steps that he ought to have taken as a director in order to make himself aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the company’s auditors are aware of that information.

(3)In subsection (2) “relevant audit information” means information needed by the company’s auditors in connection with preparing their report.

(4)For the purposes of subsection (2) a director has taken all the steps that he ought to have taken as a director in order to do the things mentioned in paragraph (b) of that subsection if he has—

(a)made such enquiries of his fellow directors and of the company’s auditors for that purpose, and

(b)taken such other steps (if any) for that purpose,

as were required by his duty as a director of the company to exercise due care, skill and diligence.

(5)In determining for the purposes of subsection (2) the extent of that duty in the case of a particular director, the following considerations (in particular) are relevant—

(a)the knowledge, skill and experience that may reasonably be expected of a person carrying out the same functions as are carried out by the director in relation to the company, and

(b)(so far as they exceed what may reasonably be so expected) the knowledge, skill and experience that the director in fact has.

(6)Where a directors' report containing the statement required by subsection (2) is approved under section 234A but the statement is false, every director of the company who—

(a)knew that the statement was false, or was reckless as to whether it was false, and

(b)failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the report from being approved,

is guilty of an offence and liable to imprisonment or a fine, or both.

[F55234A Approval and signing of directors’ report. E+W+S

(1)The directors’ report shall be approved by the board of directors and signed on behalf of the board by a director or the secretary of the company.

(2)Every copy of the directors’ report which is laid before the company in general meeting, or which is otherwise circulated, published or issued, shall state the name of the person who signed it on behalf of the board.

(3)The copy of the directors’ report which is delivered to the registrar shall be signed on behalf of the board by a director or the secretary of the company.

(4)If a copy of the directors’ report—

(a)is laid before the company, or otherwise circulated, published or issued, without the report having been signed as required by this section or without the required statement of the signatory’s name being included, or

(b)is delivered to the registrar without being signed as required by this section,

the company and every officer of it who is in default is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine.]

Textual Amendments

F55New ss. 234, 234A inserted (subject to the saving and transitional provisions in S.I. 1990/355, arts. 6–9, Sch. 2, by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 1, 8(1), 213(2) as part of the text inserted in place of ss. 221–262 (as mentioned in s. 1(a) of the 1989 Act)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C39S. 234A restricted by S.I. 1990/2570, reg. 5(2)

C40Ss. 226-237 extended (with modifications) (19.12.1993) by S.I. 1993/3245, reg.3

F56. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

Textual Amendments

234AADuty to prepare operating and financial reviewE+W+S

F57. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

234ABApproval and signing of operating and financial reviewE+W+S

F58. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Quoted companies: directors’ remuneration reportU.K.

234BDuty to prepare directors’ remuneration reportU.K.

(1)The directors of a quoted company shall for each financial year prepare a directors’ remuneration report which shall contain the information specified in Schedule 7A and comply with any requirement of that Schedule as to how information is to be set out in the report.

(2)In Schedule 7A—

(3)In the case of any failure to comply with the provisions of this Part as to the preparation of a directors’ remuneration report and the contents of the report, every person who was a director of the quoted company immediately before the end of the period for laying and delivering accounts and reports for the financial year in question is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine.

(4)In proceedings against a person for an offence under subsection (3) it is a defence for him to prove that he took all reasonable steps for securing compliance with the requirements in question.

(5)It is the duty of any director of a company, and any person who has at any time in the preceding five years been a director of the company, to give notice to the company of such matters relating to himself as may be necessary for the purposes of Parts 2 and 3 of Schedule 7A.

(6)A person who makes default in complying with subsection (5) commits an offence and is liable to a fine.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

234CApproval and signing of directors’ remuneration reportU.K.

 

(1)The directors’ remuneration report shall be approved by the board of directors and signed on behalf of the board by a director or the secretary of the company.

(2)Every copy of the directors’ remuneration report which is laid before the company in general meeting, or which is otherwise circulated, published or issued, shall state the name of the person who signed it on behalf of the board.

(3)The copy of the directors’ remuneration report which is delivered to the registrar shall be signed on behalf of the board by a director or the secretary of the company.

(4)If a copy of the directors’ remuneration report—

(a)is laid before the company, or otherwise circulated, published or issued, without the report having been signed as required by this section or without the required statement of the signatory’s name being included, or

(b)is delivered to the registrar without being signed as required by this section,

the company and every officer of it who is in default is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Auditors’ reportE+W+S

235 Auditors’ report.E+W+S

(1)A company’s auditors shall make a report to the company’s members on all annual accounts of the company of which copies are to be laid before the company in general meeting during their tenure of office.

[F59(1A)The auditors' report must include–

(a)an introduction identifying the annual accounts that are the subject of the audit and the financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation;

(b)a description of the scope of the audit identifying the auditing standards in accordance with which the audit was conducted.

(1B)The report must state clearly whether in the auditors' opinion the annual accounts have been properly prepared in accordance with the requirements of this Act (and, where applicable, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation).

(2)The report must state in particular whether the annual accounts give a true and fair view, in accordance with the relevant financial reporting framework–

(a)in the case of an individual balance sheet, of the state of affairs of the company as at the end of the financial year,

(b)in the case of an individual profit and loss account, of the profit or loss of the company for the financial year,

(c)in the case of group accounts, of the state of affairs as at the end of the financial year and of the profit or loss for the financial year, of the undertakings included in the consolidation as a whole, so far as concerns members of the company.

(2A)The auditors' report–

(a)must be either unqualified or qualified, and

(b)must include a reference to any matters to which the auditors wish to draw attention by way of emphasis without qualifying the report.]

[F60(3)The auditors must state in their report whether in their opinion the information given in the directors' report for the financial year for which the annual accounts are prepared is consistent with those accounts.]

(3A)F61. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F62(4)If a directors’ remuneration report is prepared for the financial year for which the annual accounts are prepared the auditors shall in their report

(a)report to the company’s members on the auditable part of the directors’ remuneration report, and

(b)state whether in their opinion that part of the directors’ remuneration report has been properly prepared in accordance with this Act.

(5)For the purposes of this Part, “the auditable part” of a directors’ remuneration report is the part containing the information required by Part 3 of Schedule 7A.]

Textual Amendments

F59S. 235(1A)-(2A) substituted for s. 235(2) (12.11.2004 with effect as mentioned in reg. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by The Companies Act 1985 (International Accounting Standards and Other Accounting Amendments) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/2947), reg. 6(2)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C45Ss. 226-237 extended (with modifications) (19.12.1993) by S.I. 1993/3245, reg.3

[F63236 Signature of auditors’ report. E+W+S

(1)The auditors’ report shall state the names of the auditors and be signed [F64and dated] by them.

(2)Every copy of the auditors’ report which is laid before the company in general meeting, or which is otherwise circulated, published or issued, shall state the name of the auditors.

(3)The copy of the auditors’ report which is delivered to the registrar shall state the names of the auditors and be signed by them.

(4)If a copy of the auditors’ report—

(a)is laid before the company, or otherwise circulated, published or issued, without the required statement of the auditors’ names, or

(b)is delivered to the registrar without the required statement of the auditors’ names or without being signed as required by this section,

the company and every officer of it who is in default is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine.

(5)References in this section to signature by the auditors are, where the office of auditor is held by a body corporate or partnership, to signature in the name of the body corporate or partnership by a person authorised to sign on its behalf.]

Textual Amendments

F63New ss. 235–237 inserted (subject to the saving and transitional provisions in S.I. 1990/355, arts. 6–9, Sch. 2, by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 1, 9, 213(2) as part of the text inserted in place of ss. 221–262 (as mentioned in s. 1(a) of the 1989 Act)

F64Words in s. 236(1) inserted (12.11.2004 with effect as mentioned in reg. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by The Companies Act 1985 (International Accounting Standards and Other Accounting Amendments) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/2947), reg. 7

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C48S. 236 applied with modifications by S.I. 1990/2570, regs. 6(5), 7(4), 15

C49Ss. 226-237 extended (with modifications) (19.12.1993) by S.I. 1993/3245, reg.3

[F65237 Duties of auditors. E+W+S

(1)A company’s auditors shall, in preparing their report, carry out such investigations as will enable them to form an opinion as to—

(a)whether proper accounting records have been kept by the company and proper returns adequate for their audit have been received from branches not visited by them, and

(b)whether the company’s individual accounts are in agreement with the accounting records and returns[F66 and

(c)(in the case of a quoted company) whether the auditable part of the company’s directors’ remuneration report is in agreement with the accounting records and returns.]

(2)If the auditors are of opinion that proper accounting records have not been kept, or that proper returns adequate for their audit have not been received from branches not visited by them, or if the company’s individual accounts are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns, [F67or if in the case of a quoted company the auditable part of its directors’ remuneration report is not in agreement with the accounting records and returns,] the auditors shall state that fact in their report.

(3)If the auditors fail to obtain all the information and explanations which, to the best of their knowledge and belief, are necessary for the purposes of their audit, they shall state that fact in their report.

[F68(4)If—

(a)the requirements of Schedule 6 (disclosure of information: emoluments and other benefits of directors and others) are not complied with in the annual accounts, or

(b)where a directors’ remuneration report is required to be prepared, the requirements of Part 3 of Schedule 7A (directors’ remuneration report) are not complied with in that report,

the auditors shall include in their report, so far as they are reasonably able to do so, a statement giving the required particulars.]]

[F69(4A)If the directors of the company have taken advantage of the exemption conferred by section 248 (exemption for small and medium-sized groups from the need to prepare group accounts) and in the auditors’ opinion they were not entitled so to do, the auditors shall state that fact in their report.]

Textual Amendments

F65New ss. 235–237 inserted (subject to the saving and transitional provisions in S.I. 1990/355, arts. 6–9, Sch. 2, by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 1, 9, 213(2) as part of the text inserted in place of ss. 221–262 (as mentioned in s. 1(a) of the 1989 Act)

F69S. 237(4A) inserted (2.2.1996) by S.I. 1996/189, reg. 6

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C51S. 237 applied with modifications by S.I. 1990/2570, regs. 6(1)(a), 15

C52Ss. 226-237 extended (with modifications) (19.12.1993) by S.I. 1993/3245, reg. 3

C53S. 237(1)-(3) applied (with modifications)(23.12.1996) by S.I. 1996/943, reg. 29(2)(a)

[F70 Publication of accounts and reports]E+W+S

Textual Amendments

F70New ss. 238–240 inserted (subject to the saving and transitional provisions in S.I. 1990/355, arts. 6–9, Sch. 2, by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 1, 10, 213(2) as part of the text inserted in place of ss. 221–262 (as mentioned in s. 1(a) of the 1989 Act)

238 Persons entitled to receive copies of accounts and reports. E+W+S

(1)[F71A copy of each of the documents mentioned in subsection (1A)] shall be sent to—

(a)every member of the company,

(b)every holder of the company’s debentures, and

(c)every person who is entitled to receive notice of general meetings,

not less than 21 days before the date of the meeting at which copies of those documents are to be laid in accordance with section 241.

[F72(1A)Those documents are—

(a)the company’s annual accounts for the financial year,

(b)the directors’ report for that financial year,

(ba)F73. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(c)(in the case of a quoted company) the directors’ remuneration report for that financial year, and

[F74(d)the auditors' report on those accounts and that directors' report and (in the case of a quoted company) on F75. . . the auditable part of that directors' remuneration report.]]

(2)Copies need not be sent—

(a)to a person who is not entitled to receive notices of general meetings and of whose address the company is unaware, or

(b)to more than one of the joint holders of shares or debentures none of whom is entitled to receive such notices, or

(c)in the case of joint holders of shares or debentures some of whom are, and some not, entitled to receive such notices, to those who are not so entitled.

(3)In the case of a company not having a share capital, copies need not be sent to anyone who is not entitled to receive notices of general meetings of the company.

(4)If copies are sent less than 21 days before the date of the meeting, they shall, notwithstanding that fact, be deemed to have been duly sent if it is so agreed by all the members entitled to attend and vote at the meeting.

(4A)F76. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4B)F76. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4C)F76. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4D)F76. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4E)F76. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5)If default is made in complying with this section, the company and every officer of it who is in default is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine.

(6)Where copies are sent out under this section over a period of days, references elsewhere in this Act to the day on which copies are sent out shall be construed as references to the last day of that period.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C57S. 238(5) applied with modifications by S.I. 1990/2570, reg. 10(4)

Valid from 01/10/2007

[F77238ATime allowed for sending out copies of accounts and reportsE+W+S

(1)The time allowed for sending out copies of the company's annual accounts and reports is as follows.

(2)A private company must comply with section 238(1) not later than—

(a)the end of the period for delivering accounts and reports (see section 244), or

(b)if earlier, the date on which it actually delivers its accounts and reports under section 242.

(3)A public company must comply with section 238(1) not less than 21 days before the date of the meeting at which copies of the documents are to be laid in accordance with section 241.

(4)If in the case of a public company copies are sent out later than is required by subsection (3), they shall, despite that, be deemed to have been duly sent if it is so agreed by all the members entitled to attend and vote at the meeting.]

Textual Amendments

[F78239 Rights to demand copies of accounts and reports. E+W+S

(1)Any member of a company and any holder of a company’s debentures is entitled to be furnished, on demand and without charge,[F79 with a copy of—

(a)the company’s last annual accounts,

(b)the last directors’ report,

(ba)F80. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(c)(in the case of a quoted company) the last directors’ remuneration report, and

[F81(d)the auditors' report on those accounts and that directors' report and (in the case of a quoted company) on F82. . . the auditable part of that directors' remuneration report.]]

(2)The entitlement under this section is to a single copy of those documents, but that is in addition to any copy to which a person may be entitled under section 238.

(2A)F83. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2B)F83. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3)If a demand under this section is not complied with within seven days, the company and every officer of it who is in default is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine and, for continued contravention, to a daily default fine.

(4)If in proceedings for such an offence the issue arises whether a person had already been furnished with a copy of the relevant document under this section, it is for the defendant to prove that he had.]

Textual Amendments

F78New ss. 238–240 inserted (subject to the saving and transitional provisions in S.I. 1990/355, arts. 6–9, Sch. 2, by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 1, 10, 213(2) as part of the text inserted in place of ss. 221–262 (as mentioned in s. 1(a) of the 1989 Act)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

[F84240 Requirements in connection with publication of accounts.E+W+S

(1)If a company publishes any of its statutory accounts, they must be accompanied by the relevant auditors’ report under section 235 [F85or, as the case may be, the relevant report made for the purposes of section 249A(2)].

(2)A company which is required to prepare group accounts for a financial year shall not publish its statutory individual accounts for that year without also publishing with them its statutory group accounts.

(3)If a company publishes non-statutory accounts, it shall publish with them a statement indicating—

(a)that they are not the company’s statutory accounts,

(b)whether statutory accounts dealing with any financial year with which the non-statutory accounts purport to deal have been delivered to the registrar,

(c)whether the company’s auditors have made a report under section 235 on the statutory accounts for any such financial year [F86and, if no such report has been made, whether the company’s reporting accountant has made a report for the purposes of section 249A(2) on the statutory accounts for any such financial year], F87. . .

[F88(d)whether any such auditors' report–

(i)was qualified or unqualified, or included a reference to any matters to which the auditors drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying the report, or

(ii)contained a statement under section 237(2) or (3) (accounting records or returns inadequate, accounts not agreeing with records and returns or failure to obtain necessary information and explanations); and

(e)whether any report made for the purposes of section 249A(2) was qualified;]

and it shall not publish with the non-statutory accounts any auditors’ report under section 235 [F89or any report made for the purposes of section 249A(2)].

(4)For the purposes of this section a company shall be regarded as publishing a document if it publishes, issues or circulates it or otherwise makes it available for public inspection in a manner calculated to invite members of the public generally, or any class of members of the public, to read it.

(5)References in this section to a company’s statutory accounts are to its individual or group accounts for a financial year as required to be delivered to the registrar under section 242; and references to the publication by a company of ''non-statutory accounts’’ are to the publication of—

(a)any balance sheet or profit and loss account relating to, or purporting to deal with, a financial year of the company, or

(b)an account in any form purporting to be a balance sheet or profit and loss account for the group consisting of the company and its subsidiary undertakings relating to, or purporting to deal with, a financial year of the company,

otherwise than as part of the company’s statutory accounts.

(6)A company which contravenes any provision of this section, and any officer of it who is in default, is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine.]

Textual Amendments

F84New ss. 238–240 inserted (subject to the saving and transitional provisions in S.I. 1990/355, arts. 6–9, Sch. 2, by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 1, 10, 213(2) as part of the text inserted in place of ss. 221–262 (as mentioned in s. 1(a) of the 1989 Act)

F87Word in s. 240(3)(c) omitted (12.11.2004 with effect as mentioned in reg. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Companies Act 1985 (International Accounting Standards and Other Accounting Amendments) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/2947), reg. 8(a)

F88S. 240(3)(d)(e) substituted for s. 240(3)(d) (12.11.2004 with effect as mentioned in reg. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by The Companies Act 1985 (International Accounting Standards and Other Accounting Amendments) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/2947), reg. 8(b)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Laying and delivering of accounts and reportsU.K.

241 Accounts and reports to be laid before company in general meeting. E+W+S

(1)The directors of a company shall in respect of each financial year lay before the company in general meeting[F90 copies of—

(a)the company’s annual accounts,

(b)the directors’ report,

(ba)F91. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(c)(in the case of a quoted company) the directors’ remuneration report, and

[F92(d)the auditors' report on those accounts and that directors' report and (in the case of a quoted company) on F93. . . the auditable part of that directors' remuneration report.]]

(2)If the requirements of subsection (1) are not complied with before the end of the period allowed for laying and delivering accounts and reports, every person who immediately before the end of that period was a director of the company is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine and, for continued contravention, to a daily default fine.

(3)It is a defence for a person charged with such an offence to prove that he took all reasonable steps for securing that those requirements would be complied with before the end of that period.

(4)It is not a defence to prove that the documents in question were not in fact prepared as required by this Part.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C64S. 241(2)–(4) applied with modifications by S.I. 1990/2570, reg. 11(3)

241AMembers’ approval of directors’ remuneration reportU.K.

 

(1)This section applies to every company that is a quoted company immediately before the end of a financial year.

(2)In this section “the meeting” means the general meeting of the company before which the company’s annual accounts for the financial year are to be laid.

(3)The company must, prior to the meeting, give to the members of the company entitled to be sent notice of the meeting notice of the intention to move at the meeting, as an ordinary resolution, a resolution approving the directors’ remuneration report for the financial year.

(4)Notice under subsection (3) shall be given to each such member in any manner permitted for the service on him of notice of the meeting.

(5)The business that may be dealt with at the meeting includes the resolution.

(6)The existing directors must ensure that the resolution is put to the vote of the meeting.

(7)Subsection (5) has effect notwithstanding—

(a)any default in complying with subsections (3) and (4);

(b)anything in the company’s articles.

(8)No entitlement of a person to remuneration is made conditional on the resolution being passed by reason only of the provision made by this section.

(9)In the event of default in complying with the requirements of subsections (3) and (4), every officer of the company who is in default is liable to a fine.

(10)If the resolution is not put to the vote of the meeting, each existing director is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine.

(11)If an existing director is charged with an offence under subsection (10), it is a defence for him to prove that he took all reasonable steps for securing that the resolution was put to the vote of the meeting.

(12)In this section “existing director” means a person who, immediately before the meeting, is a director of the company.

[F94242 Accounts and reports to be delivered to the registrar. E+W+S

(1)The directors of a company shall in respect of each financial year deliver to the registrar[F95 a copy of—

(a)the company’s annual accounts,

(b)the directors’ report,

(ba)F96. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(c)(in the case of a quoted company) the directors’ remuneration report, and

[F97(d).the auditors' report on those accounts and that directors' report and (in the case of a quoted company) on F98. . . the auditable part of that directors' remuneration report]]

[F99If any document comprised in those accounts or reports is in a language other than English F100. . . , the directors must annex to the copy of that document delivered a translation of it into English, certified in the prescribed manner to be a correct translation.]

(2)If the requirements of subsection (1) are not complied with before the end of the period allowed for laying and delivering accounts and reports, every person who immediately before the end of that period was a director of the company is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine and, for continued contravention, to a daily default fine.

(3)Further, if the directors of the company fail to make good the default within 14 days after the service of a notice on them requiring compliance, the court may on the application of any member or creditor of the company or of the registrar, make an order directing the directors (or any of them) to make good the default within such time as may be specified in the order.

The court’s order may provide that all costs of and incidental to the application shall be borne by the directors.

(4)It is a defence for a person charged with an offence under this section to prove that he took all reasonable steps for securing that the requirements of subsection (1) would be complied with before the end of the period allowed for laying and delivering accounts and reports.

(5)It is not a defence in any proceedings under this section to prove that the documents in question were not in fact prepared as required by this Part.]

Textual Amendments

F94New ss. 241–244 inserted (1.7.1992 as to s. 242A) (subject to the saving and transitional provisions in S.I. 1990/355, arts. 6–9, Sch. 2; S.I. 1991/2945, art. 2 (subject to transitional provision in art. 3)) by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 1, 11, 213(2) as part of the text inserted in place of ss. 221–262 (as mentioned in s. 1(a) of the 1989 Act)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C67S. 242(2)–(5) applied with modifications by S.I. 1990/2570, regs. 12(1)(3), 13(1)(5), 16(2)

[F101242A Civil penalty for failure to deliver accounts.E+W+S

(1)Where the requirements of section 242(1) are not complied with before the end of the period allowed for laying and delivering accounts and reports, the company is liable to a civil penalty. This is in addition to any liability of the directors under section 242.

(2)The amount of the penalty is determined by reference to the length of the period between the end of the period allowed for laying and delivering accounts and reports and the day on which the requirements are complied with, and whether the company is a public or private company, as follows:—]

Length of periodPublic companyPrivate company
Not more than 3 months.£500£100
More than 3 months but not more than 6 months.£1,000£250
More than 6 months but not more than 12 months.£2,000£500
More than 12 months.£5,000£1,000

(3)The penalty may be recovered by the registrar and shall be paid by him into the Consolidated Fund.

(4)It is not a defence in proceedings under this section to prove that the documents in question were not in fact prepared as required by this Part.

Textual Amendments

F101New ss. 241–244 inserted (1.7.1992 as to s. 242A) (subject to the saving and transitional provisions in S.I. 1990/355, arts. 6–9, Sch. 2, by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 1, 11, 213(2) as part of the text inserted in place of ss. 221–262 (as mentioned in s. 1(a) of the 1989 Act); S.I. 1991/2945, arts. 2, 3

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C68S. 242A modified (1.7.1992) by S.I. 1991/2945, art. 3(2)

[F102242B Delivery and publication of accounts in ECUsE+W+S

(1)

The amounts set out in the annual accounts of a company may also be shown in the same accounts translated into ECUs.

(2)When complying with section 242, the directors of a company may deliver to the registrar an additional copy of the company’s annual accounts in which the amounts have been translated into ECUs.

(3)In both cases—

(a)the amounts must have been translated at the relevant exchange rate prevailing on the balance sheet date, and

(b)that rate must be disclosed in the notes to the accounts.

(4)For the purposes of section 240 any additional copy of the company’s annual accounts delivered to the registrar under subsection (2) shall be treated as statutory accounts of the company and, in the case of such a copy, references in section 240 to the auditors’ report under section 235 shall be read as references to the auditors’ report on the annual accounts of which it is a copy.

(5)In this section—

Textual Amendments

F102S. 242B inserted (16.11.1992) by S.I. 1992/2452, reg.3.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C69S. 242B extended (with modifications) (19.12.1993) by S.I. 1993/3245, reg.3

243 Accounts of subsidiary undertakings to be appended in certain cases.U.K.

F103. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

244 Period allowed for laying and delivering accounts and reports.E+W+S

(1)The period allowed for laying and delivering accounts and reports is—

(a)for a private company, 10 months after the end of the relevant accounting reference period, and

(b)for a public company, 7 months after the end of that period.

This is subject to the following provisions of this section.

(2)If the relevant accounting reference period is the company’s first and is a period of more than 12 months, the period allowed is—

(a)10 months or 7 months, as the case may be, from the first anniversary of the incorporation of the company, or

(b)3 months from the end of the accounting reference period,

whichever last expires.

(3)F104. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4)If the relevant accounting period is treated as shortened by virtue of a notice given by the company under section 225 (alteration of accounting reference date), the period allowed for laying and delivering accounts is that applicable in accordance with the above provisions or 3 months from the date of the notice under that section, whichever last expires.

(5)If for any special reason the Secretary of State thinks fit he may, on an application made before the expiry of the period otherwise allowed, by notice in writing to a company extend that period by such further period as may be specified in the notice.

(6)In this section “the relevant accounting reference period” means the accounting reference period by reference to which the financial year for the accounts in question was determined.

Textual Amendments

F104S. 244(3) omitted (12.11.2004 with effect as mentioned in reg. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Companies Act 1985 (International Accounting Standards and Other Accounting Amendments) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/2947), reg. 9

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Revision of defective accounts and reportsE+W+S

245 Voluntary revision of annual accounts or directors’ report.E+W+S

(1)If it appears to the directors of a company that any annual accounts [F105or summary financial statement] of the company, or any directors’ report F106. . . [F107or directors’ remuneration report] , did not comply with the requirements of this Act [F108(or, where applicable, of Article 4 of the IAS Regulation)] , they may prepare revised accounts or a [F109revised statement or report] .

(2)Where copies of the previous accounts [F110or report] have been laid before the company in general meeting or delivered to the registrar, the revisions shall be confined to—

(a)the correction of those respects in which the previous accounts [F110or report] did not comply with the requirements of this Act, [F108(or, where applicable, of Article 4 of the IAS Regulation)] and

(b)the making of any necessary consequential alterations.

(3)The Secretary of State may make provision by regulations as to the application of the provisions of this Act in relation to revised annual accounts [F111or a revised summary financial statement] or a revised directors’ report F112. . . [F113or a revised directors’ remuneration report] .

(4)The regulations may, in particular—

(a)make different provision according to whether the previous accounts [F114statement or report] are replaced or are supplemented by a document indicating the corrections to be made;

(b)make provision with respect to the functions of the company’s auditors [F115or reporting acountant] in relation to the revised accounts [F114statement or report] ;

(c)require the directors to take such steps as may be specified in the regulations where the previous accounts [F116or report] have been —

(i)sent out to members and others under section 238(1),

(ii)laid before the company in general meeting, or

(iii)delivered to the registrar,

or where a summary financial statement [F117containing information [F118derived from the previous accounts or report]] has been sent to members under section 251;

(d)apply the provisions of this Act (including those creating criminal offences) subject to such additions, exceptions and modifications as are specified in the regulations.

(5)Regulations under this section shall be made by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

Textual Amendments

F115Words in s. 245(4)(b) inserted (11.8.1994) by S.I. 1994/1935, reg. 4, Sch. 1 Pt. I para. 2

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C74S. 245(1) and (2) excluded by S.I. 1990/2569, art. 6(2)

[F119245A Secretary of State’s notice in respect of annual accounts. E+W+S

[F120(1)Where—

(a)copies of a company's annual accounts [F121or directors' report] have been sent out under section 238, or

(b)a copy of a company's annual accounts [F121or directors' report] has been laid before the company in general meeting or delivered to the registrar,

and it appears to the Secretary of State that there is, or may be, a question whether the accounts [F122or report] comply with the requirements of this Act, he may give notice to the directors of the company indicating the respects in which it appears to him that such a question arises or may arise.]

(2)The notice shall specify a period of not less than one month for the directors to give him an explanation of the accounts [F123[F124or report] or prepare revised accounts or [F125a revised report]] .

(3)If at the end of the specified period, or such longer period as he may allow, it appears to the Secretary of State that [F126 the directors have not—

(a)given a satisfactory explanation of the accounts [F127or report] , or

(b)revised the accounts [F127or report] so as to comply with the requirements of this Act,

he may if he thinks fit apply to the court.]

[F128(4)The provisions of this section apply equally to revised annual accounts [F129and revised directors' reports] , in which case they have effect as if the references to revised accounts [F130or reports] were references to further revised accounts [F130or reports] .]]

Textual Amendments

F119New ss. 245–245C inserted (subject to the saving and transitional provisions in S.I. 1990/2569, art. 6) by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 1, 12, 213(2) as part of the text inserted in place of ss. 221–262 (as mentioned in s. 1(a) of the 1989 Act)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C76Ss. 245A and 245B excluded by S.I. 1990/2569, art. 6(2)

245B Application to court in respect of defective accounts. E+W+S

(1)An application may be made to the court—

(a)by the Secretary of State, after having complied with section 245A, or

(b)by a person authorised by the Secretary of State for the purposes of this section,

for a declaration or declarator that the annual accounts of a company do not comply [F131, or a directors' report F132. . . does not comply,] with the requirements of this Act [F133(or, where applicable, of Article 4 of the IAS Regulation)] and for an order requiring the directors of the company to prepare revised accounts [F134or a revised report F135. . . ] .

(2)Notice of the application, together with a general statement of the matters at issue in the proceedings, shall be given by the applicant to the registrar for registration.

(3)If the court orders the preparation of revised accounts, it may give directions with respect to—

(a)the auditing of the accounts,

(b)the revision of any directors’ report [F136, directors’ remuneration report] or summary financial statement, and

(c)the taking of steps by the directors to bring the making of the order to the notice of persons likely to rely on the previous accounts,

and such other matters as the court thinks fit.

[F137(3A)If the court orders the preparation of a revised directors' report F138. . . it may give directions with respect to—

(a)the review of the directors' report F139. . . by the auditors,

(b)the revision of any directors' report, directors' remuneration report F140. . . or summary financial statement,

(c)the taking of steps by the directors to bring the making of the order to the notice of persons likely to rely on the previous report F141. . . , and

(d)such other matters as the court thinks fit.]

(4)If the court finds that the accounts [F142or report] did not comply with the requirements of this Act [F133(or, where applicable, of Article 4 of the IAS Regulation)] it may order that all or part of—

(a)the costs (or in Scotland expenses) of and incidental to the application, and

(b)any reasonable expenses incurred by the company in connection with or in consequence of the preparation of revised accounts [F143or a revised report F144. . . ] ,

shall be borne by such of the directors as were party to the approval of the [F145defective accounts or report] .

For this purpose every director of the company at the time [F146approval of the accounts or report] shall be taken to have been a party to [F147 the approval] unless he shows that he took all reasonable steps to prevent [F148that approval] .

(5)Where the court makes an order under subsection (4) it shall have regard to whether the directors party to the approval of the defective accounts [F149or report] knew or ought to have known that the accounts [F149or report] did not comply with the requirements of this Act [F133(or, where applicable, of Article 4 of the IAS Regulation)], and it may exclude one or more directors from the order or order the payment of different amounts by different directors.

(6)On the conclusion of proceedings on an application under this section, the applicant shall give to the registrar for registration an office copy of the court order or, as the case may be, notice that the application has failed or been withdrawn.

[F150(7)The provisions of this section apply equally to revised annual accounts [F151and revised directors' reports] , in which case they have effect as if the references to revised accounts [F152or reports] were references to further revised accounts [F152or reports] .]

Textual Amendments

F139Words in s. 245B(3A)(a) omitted (12.1.2006) by virtue of The Companies Act 1985 (Operating and Financial Review) (Repeal) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/3442). reg. 2(2)(a), {Sch. 1 para. 11(3)(b)}

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C78Ss. 245A and 245B excluded by S.I. 1990/2569, art. 6(2)

[F153245C Other persons authorised to apply to court.E+W+S

(1)The Secretary of State may authorise for the purposes of section 245B any person appearing to him—

(a)to have an interest in, and to have satisfactory procedures directed to securing, compliance by companies with [F154the requirements of this Act relating to accounts [F155and directors' reports]] , [F156(or, where applicable, of Article 4 of the IAS Regulation)]

(b)to have satisfactory procedures for receiving and investigating complaints about the [F157companies' annual accounts [F155and directors' reports]] , and

(c)otherwise to be a fit and proper person to be authorised.

[F158(1A)But where the order giving authorisation (see subsection (4)) is to contain any requirements or other provisions specified under subsection (4A), the Secretary of State may not authorise a person unless, in addition, it appears to him that the person would, if authorised, exercise his functions as an authorised person in accordance with any such requirements or provisions.]

(2)A person may be authorised generally or in respect of particular classes of case, and different persons may be authorised in respect of different classes of case.

(3)The Secretary of State may refuse to authorise a person if he considers that his authorisation is unnecessary having regard to the fact that there are one or more other persons who have been or are likely to be authorised.

(4)Authorisation shall be by order made by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

[F159(4A)An order under subsection (4) may contain such requirements or other provisions relating to the exercise of functions by the authorised person as appear to the Secretary of State to be appropriate.

(4B)If the authorised person is an unincorporated association, any relevant proceedings may be brought by or against that association in the name of any body corporate whose constitution provides for the establishment of the association.

For this purpose “relevant proceedings” means proceedings brought in, or in connection with, the exercise of any function by the association as an authorised person.]

(5)Where authorisation is revoked, the revoking order may make such provision as the Secretary of State thinks fit with respect to pending proceedings.

(6)F160. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]

Textual Amendments

F153New ss. 245–245C inserted (subject to the saving and transitional provisions in S.I. 1990/2569, art. 6) by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 1, 12, 213(2) as part of the text inserted in place of ss. 221–262 (as mentioned in s. 1(a) of the 1989 Act)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

245DDisclosure of information held by Inland Revenue to persons authorised to apply to courtE+W+S

(1)Information which is held by or on behalf of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue may be disclosed to a person who is authorised under section 245C of this Act, or under Article 253C of the Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1986 (S.I. 1986/1032 (N.I. 6)), if the disclosure—

(a)is made for a permitted purpose, and

(b)is made by the Commissioners or is authorised by them.

(2)Such information—

(a)may be so disclosed despite any other restriction on the disclosure of information whether imposed by any statutory provision or otherwise, but

(b)in the case of personal data (within the meaning of the Data Protection Act 1998), may not be disclosed in contravention of that Act.

(3)For the purposes of subsection (1), a disclosure is made for a permitted purpose if it is made for the purpose of facilitating—

(a)the taking of steps by the authorised person to discover whether there are grounds for an application to the court under section 245B of this Act or Article 253B of the Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1986; or

(b)a determination by the authorised person as to whether or not to make such an application.

(4)The power of the Commissioners to authorise a disclosure under subsection (1)(b) may be delegated (either generally or for a specified purpose) to an officer of the Board of Inland Revenue.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

245ERestrictions on use and further disclosure of information disclosed under section 245DE+W+S

(1)Information that is disclosed to an authorised person under section 245D may not be used except in or in connection with—

(a)taking steps to discover whether there are grounds for an application to the court as mentioned in section 245D(3)(a);

(b)determining whether or not to make such an application; or

(c)proceedings on any such application.

(2)Information that is disclosed to an authorised person under section 245D may not be further disclosed except—

(a)to the person to whom the information relates; or

(b)in or in connection with proceedings on any such application to the court.

(3)A person who contravenes subsection (1) or (2) is guilty of an offence and liable to imprisonment or a fine, or both.

(4)It is a defence for a person charged with an offence under subsection (3) to prove—

(a)that he did not know, and had no reason to suspect, that the information had been disclosed under section 245D; or

(b)that he took all reasonable steps and exercised all due diligence to avoid the commission of the offence.

(5)Sections 732 (restriction on prosecutions), 733(2) and (3) (liability of individuals for corporate default) and 734 (criminal proceedings against unincorporated bodies) apply to offences under this section.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

245FPower of authorised persons to require documents, information and explanationsE+W+S

(1)This section applies where it appears to a person who is authorised under section 245C of this Act that there is, or may be, a question whether the [F161 a company's annual accounts [F162or directors' report]] comply with the requirements of this Act [F163(or, where applicable, of Article 4 of the IAS Regulation)] .

(2)The authorised person may require any of the persons mentioned in subsection (3) to produce any document, or to provide him with any information or explanations, that he may reasonably require for the purpose of—

(a)discovering whether there are grounds for an application to the court under section 245B; or

(b)determining whether or not to make such an application.

(3)Those persons are—

(a)the company;

(b)any officer, employee, or auditor of the company;

(c)any persons who fell within paragraph (b) at a time to which the document or information required by the authorised person relates.

(4)If a person fails to comply with a requirement under subsection (2), the authorised person may apply to the court for an order under subsection (5).

(5)If on such an application the court decides that the person has failed to comply with the requirement under subsection (2), it may order the person to take such steps as it directs for securing that the documents are produced or the information or explanations are provided.

(6)A statement made by a person in response to a requirement under subsection (2) or an order under subsection (5) may not be used in evidence against him in any criminal proceedings.

(7)Nothing in this section compels any person to disclose documents or information in respect of which in an action in the High Court a claim to legal professional privilege, or in an action in the Court of Session a claim to confidentiality of communications, could be maintained.

(8)In this section “document” includes information recorded in any form.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

245GRestrictions on further disclosure of information obtained under section 245FE+W+S

(1)This section applies to information (in whatever form) which—

(a)has been obtained in pursuance of a requirement or order under section 245F, and

(b)relates to the private affairs of an individual or to any particular business.

(2)No such information may, during the lifetime of that individual or so long as that business continues to be carried on, be disclosed without the consent of that individual or the person for the time being carrying on that business.

(3)Subsection (2) does not apply to any disclosure of information which—

(a)is made for the purpose of facilitating the carrying out by a person authorised under section 245C of his functions under section 245B;

(b)is made to a person specified in Part 1 of Schedule 7B;

(c)is of a description specified in Part 2 of that Schedule; or

(d)is made in accordance with Part 3 of that Schedule.

(4)The Secretary of State may by order amend Schedule 7B.

(5)An order under subsection (4) must not—

(a)amend Part 1 of Schedule 7B by specifying a person unless the person exercises functions of a public nature (whether or not he exercises any other function);

(b)amend Part 2 of Schedule 7B by adding or modifying a description of disclosure unless the purpose for which the disclosure is permitted is likely to facilitate the exercise of a function of a public nature;

(c)amend Part 3 of Schedule 7B so as to have the effect of permitting disclosures to be made to a body other than one that exercises functions of a public nature in a country or territory outside the United Kingdom.

(6)An order under subsection (4) shall be made by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(7)A person who discloses any information in contravention of this section—

(a)is guilty of an offence, and

(b)is liable on conviction to imprisonment or a fine, or both.

(8)However, it is a defence for a person charged with an offence under subsection (7) to prove—

(a)that he did not know, and had no reason to suspect, that the information had been disclosed under section 245F; or

(b)that he took all reasonable steps and exercised all due diligence to avoid the commission of the offence.

(9)Sections 732 (restriction on prosecutions), 733 (liability of individuals for corporate default) and 734 (criminal proceedings against unincorporated bodies) apply to offences under this section.

(10)This section does not prohibit the disclosure of information if the information is or has been available to the public from any other source.

(11)Nothing in this section authorises the making of a disclosure in contravention of the Data Protection Act 1998.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)