Companies Act 1985

Part XI U.K. Company administration and procedure

Chapter I E+W+S Company Identification

348 Company name to appear outside place of business. E+W+S

(1) Every company shall paint or affix, and keep painted or affixed, its name on the outside of every office or place in which its business is carried on, in a conspicuous position and in letters easily legible.

(2) If a company does not paint or affix its name as required above, the company and every officer of it who is in default is liable to a fine; and if a company does not keep its name painted or affixed as so required, 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.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 348 applied (with modifications) (6.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/1090, reg. 4, Sch. 2 Pt. I

349 Company’s name to appear in its correspondence, etc. E+W+S

(1) Every company shall have its name mentioned in legible characters—

(a) in all business letters [F1 and order forms] of the company,

(b) in all its notices and other official publications,

[F2 (ba) on all its websites,]

(c) in all bills of exchange, promissory notes, endorsements, cheques and orders for money or goods purporting to be signed by or on behalf of the company, and

(d) in all its bills of parcels, invoices, receipts and letters of credit.

(2) If a company fails to comply with subsection (1) it is liable to a fine.

(3) If an officer of a company or a person on its behalf—

(a) issues or authorises the issue of any business letter [F3 or order form] of the company, or any notice or other official publication of the company, in which the company’s name is not mentioned as required by subsection (1), F4 . . .

[F5 (aa) causes or authorises the appearance of a website of the company on which the company's name is not so mentioned, or]

(b) issues or authorises the issue of any bill of parcels, invoice, receipt or letter of credit of the company in which its name is not so mentioned,

he is liable to a fine.

(4) If an officer of a company or a person on its behalf signs or authorises to be signed on behalf of the company any bill of exchange, promissory note, endorsement, cheque or order for money or goods in which the company’s name is not mentioned as required by subsection (1), he is liable to a fine; and he is further personally liable to the holder of the bill of exchange, promissory note, cheque or order for money or goods for the amount of it (unless it is duly paid by the company).

[F6 (5) References in this section to a document of any type are to a document of that type in hard copy, electronic or any other form.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 349(1)(a) inserted (1.1.2007) by The Companies (Registrar, Languages and Trading Disclosures) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/3429), reg. 6, Sch. 1 para. 1(2)(a)

F2 S. 349(1)(ba) inserted (1.1.2007) by The Companies (Registrar, Languages and Trading Disclosures) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/3429), reg. 6, Sch. 1 para. 1(2)(b)

F3 Words in s. 349(3)(a) inserted (1.1.2007) by The Companies (Registrar, Languages and Trading Disclosures) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/3429), reg. 6, Sch. 1 para. 1(3)(a)

F4 Word in s. 349(3)(a) omitted (1.1.2007) by virtue of The Companies (Registrar, Languages and Trading Disclosures) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/3429), reg. 6, Sch. 1 para. 1(3)(b)

F5 S. 349(3)(aa) inserted (1.1.2007) by The Companies (Registrar, Languages and Trading Disclosures) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/3429), reg. 6, Sch. 1 para. 1(3)(c)

F6 S. 349(5) inserted (1.1.2007) by The Companies (Registrar, Languages and Trading Disclosures) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/3429), reg. 6, Sch. 1 para. 1(4)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2 S. 349 applied (with modifications) (6.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/1090, reg. 4, Sch. 2 Pt. I

C3 S. 349(2)–(4) applied (S.) (4.2.1991) by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 112(8), 213(2)

S. 349(2)-(4) applied (with modifications) (E.W.) (1.8.1993) by 1993 c. 10, ss. 68(3), 99(1)

350 Company seal. E+W+S

[F7 (1) A company which has a common seal shall have its name engraved in legible characters on the seal; and if it fails to comply with this subsection it is liable to a fine.]

(2) If an officer of a company or a person on its behalf uses or authorises the use of any seal purporting to be a seal of the company on which its name is not engraved as required by subsection (1), he is liable to a fine.

Textual Amendments

F7 S. 350(1) substituted by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 130(7), 213(2), Sch. 17 para. 7

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C4 S. 350 applied (with modifications) (6.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/1090, reg. 4, Sch. 2 Pt. I

351 Particulars in correspondence, etc. E+W+S

(1) Every company shall have the following particulars mentioned in legible characters in all business letters and order forms of the company [F8 , and on all the company's websites,] , that is to say—

(a) the company’s place of registration and the number with which it is registered,

(b) the address of its registered office,

(c) in the case of an investment company (as defined in section 266), the fact that it is such a company, and

(d) in the case of a limited company exempt from the obligation to use the word “limited” as part of its name [F9 under section 30 or a community interest company which is not a public company] , the fact that it is a limited company.

[F10 (2) If in the case of a company having a share capital there is a reference to the amount of share capital—

(a) on the stationery used for any such letters,

(b) on the company's order forms, or

(c) on any of the company's websites,

the reference must be to paid-up share capital.]

F11 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F11 (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5) As to contraventions of this section, the following applies—

(a) if a company fails to comply with subsection (1) or (2), it is liable to a fine,

(b) if an officer of a company or a person on its behalf issues or authorises the issue of any business letter or order form not complying with those subsections, he is liable to a fine, F12 . . .

[F13 (ba) if an officer of a company or a person on its behalf causes or authorises the appearance of a website not complying with those subsections, he is liable to a fine.]

F12 (c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F14 (6) References in this section to a document of any type are to a document of that type in hard copy, electronic or any other form.]

Textual Amendments

F8 Words in s. 351(1) inserted (1.1.2007) by The Companies (Registrar, Languages and Trading Disclosures) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/3429), reg. 6, Sch. 1 para. 2(2)

F9 Words in s. 351(1)(d) inserted (1.7.2005) by Companies (Audit, Investigations and Community Enterprise) Act 2004 (c. 27), ss. 33, 65, Sch. 6 para. 8; S.I. 2004/3322, art. 2(3), Sch. 3 (subject to arts. 3-13)

F10 S. 351(2) substituted (1.1.2007) by The Companies (Registrar, Languages and Trading Disclosures) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/3429), reg. 6, Sch. 1 para. 2(3)

F11 S. 351(3)(4) repealed (1.2.1994) by 1993 c. 38, s. 31, Sch. 2; S.I. 1994/115, art. 2(2)

F12 S. 351(5)(c) and the word “and” immediately preceding it repealed (1.2.1994) by 1993 c. 38, ss. 35(1), Sch.2

F13 S. 351(5)(ba) inserted (1.1.2007) by The Companies (Registrar, Languages and Trading Disclosures) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/3429), reg. 6, Sch. 1 para. 2(4)

F14 S. 351(6) inserted (1.1.2007) by The Companies (Registrar, Languages and Trading Disclosures) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/3429), reg. 6, Sch. 1 para. 2(5)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C5 S. 351 applied (with modifications) (6.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/1090, reg. 4, Sch. 2 Pt. I

C6 S. 351(1)(2)(5)(a) applied with modifications by S.I. 1985/680, regs. 4–6, Sch.

Chapter II E+W+S Register of Members

352 Obligation to keep and enter up register. E+W+S

(1) Every company shall keep a register of its members and enter in it the particulars required by this section.

(2) There shall be entered in the register—

(a) the names and addresses of the members;

(b) the date on which each person was registered as a member; and

(c) the date at which any person ceased to be a member.

(3) The following applies in the case of a company having a share capital—

(a) with the names and addresses of the members there shall be entered a statement—

(i) of the shares held by each member, distinguishing each share by its number (so long as the share has a number) and, where the company has more than one class of issued shares, by its class, and

(ii) of the amount paid or agreed to be considered as paid on the shares of each member;

(b) where the company has converted any of its shares into stock and given notice of the conversion to the registrar of companies, the register shall show the amount and class of stock held by each member, instead of the amount of shares and the particulars relating to shares specified in paragraph (a).

[F15 (3A) Where a company purchases one or more of its own shares in circumstances in which section 162A applies—

(a) the requirements of subsection (2) and (3) must be complied with unless the company cancels all of the shares forthwith after the purchase in accordance with section 162D(1), but

(b) any share which is so cancelled must be disregarded for the purposes of subsection (3).]

(4) In the case of a company which does not have a share capital but has more than one class of members, there shall be entered in the register, with the names and addresses of the members, the class to which each member belongs.

(5) If a company makes default in complying with this section, 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.

(6) An entry relating to a former member of the company may be removed from the register after the expiration of 20 years from the date on which he ceased to be a member.

(7) Liability incurred by a company from the making or deletion of an entry in its register of members, or from a failure to make or delete any such entry, is not enforceable more than 20 years after the date on which the entry was made or deleted or, in the case of any such failure, the failure first occurred.

This is without prejudice to any lesser period of limitation.

Textual Amendments

F15 S. 352(3A) inserted (1.12.2003) by The Companies (Acquisition of Own Shares)(Treasury Shares) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/1116), reg. 4, {Sch. para. 18}

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C7 S. 352 applied (26.11.2001) by S.I. 2001/3755, reg. 23(4), Sch. 4 para. 19(1) (with regs. 39, 45)

C8 S. 352 restricted (26.11.2001) by S.I. 2001/3755, reg. 23(4), Sch. 4 para. 2(4)(5) (with regs. 39, 45)

C9 S. 352 modified (12.2.1992) by S.I. 1992/225, reg. 16, Sch. 2 para. 1(1).

C10 S. 352 extended (E.W.) (27.9.2004) by Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 (c. 15), ss. 34, 181(1), Sch. 3 para. 14(4) (with s. 63); S.I. 2004/1832, art. 2

C11 S. 352(5) applied (26.11.2001) S.I. 2001/3755, reg. 20(7) (with regs. 39, 45)

S. 352(5) applied (26.11.2001) by S.I. 2001/3755, reg. 21(4) (with regs. 39, 45)

S. 352(5) applied (26.11.2001) by S.I. 2001/3755, reg. 22(4) (with regs. 39, 45)

C12 S. 352(5) applied (with modifications) (12.2.1992) by S.I. 1992/225, reg. 56(5).

S. 352(5) applied (with modifications) (26.11.2001) by S.I. 2001/3755, reg. 23(4), Sch. 4 para. 5(4) (with regs. 39, 45)

C13 S. 352(5) modified (E.W.) (27.9.2004) by Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 (c. 15), ss. 34, 181(1), Sch. 3 para. 14(4) (with s. 63); S.I. 2004/1832, art. 2

[F16 352A Statement that company has only one member E+W+S

(1) If the number of members of a private company limited by shares or by guarantee falls to one there shall upon the occurrence of that event be entered in the company’s register of members with the name and address of the sole member—

(i) a statement that the company has only one member, and

(ii) the date on which the company became a company having only one member.

(2) If the membership of a private company limited by shares or by guarantee increases from one to two or more members there shall upon the occurrence of that event be entered in the company’s register of members, with the name and address of the person who was formerly the sole member, a statement that the company has ceased to have only one member together with the date on which that event occurred.

(3) If a company makes default in complying with this section, 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

F16 S. 352A inserted (15.7.1992) by S.I. 1992/1699, reg. 2, Sch. para. 4(1).

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C14 S. 352A applied (with modifications) (26.11.2001) by S.I. 2001/3755, reg. 23(4), Sch. 4 para. 3 (with regs. 39, 45)

353 Location of register. E+W+S

(1) A company’s register of members shall be kept at its registered office, except that—

(a) if the work of making it up is done at another office of the company, it may be kept there; and

(b) if the company arranges with some other person for the making up of the register to be undertaken on its behalf by that other, it may be kept at the office of the other at which the work is done;

but it must not be kept, in the case of a company registered in England and Wales, at any place elsewhere than in England and Wales or, in the case of a company registered in Scotland, at any place elsewhere than in Scotland.

(2) Subject as follows, every company shall send notice in the prescribed form to the registrar of companies of the place where its register of members is kept, and of any change in that place.

(3) The notice need not be sent if the register has, at all times since it came into existence (or, in the case of a register in existence on 1st July 1948, at all times since then) been kept at the company’s registered office.

(4) If a company makes default for 14 days in complying with subsection (2), 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.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C15 S. 353 excluded (26.11.2001) by reg. 23(4), Sch. 4 para. 6(5)(6) (with regs. 39, 45)

C16 S. 353(1)(2)(4) applied (12.2.1992) by S.I. 1992/225, reg. 26(1).

C17 S. 353(4) extended by S.I. 1985/724, reg. 3(5)

S. 353(4) applied (with modifications) (12.2.1992) by S.I. 1992/225, reg. 26(1).

354 Index of members. E+W+S

(1) Every company having more than 50 members shall, unless the register of members is in such a form as to constitute in itself an index, keep an index of the names of the members of the company and shall, within 14 days after the date on which any alteration is made in the register of members, make any necessary alteration in the index.

(2) The index shall in respect of each member contain a sufficient indication to enable the account of that member in the register to be readily found.

(3) The index shall be at all times kept at the same place as the register of members.

(4) If default is made in complying with this section, 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.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C18 S. 354 excluded (26.11.2001) by S.I. 2001/3755, reg. 23(4), Sch. 4 para. 7(4)(5) (with regs. 39, 45)

355 Entries in register in relation to share warrants. E+W+S

(1) On the issue of a share warrant the company shall strike out of its register of members the name of the member then entered in it as holding the shares specified in the warrant as if he had ceased to be a member, and shall enter in the register the following particulars, namely—

(a) the fact of the issue of the warrant;

(b) a statement of the shares included in the warrant, distinguishing each share by its number so long as the share has a number; and

(c) the date of the issue of the warrant.

(2) Subject to the company’s articles, the bearer of a share warrant is entitled, on surrendering it for cancellation, to have his name entered as a member in the register of members.

(3) The company is responsible for any loss incurred by any person by reason of the company entering in the register the name of a bearer of a share warrant in respect of the shares specified in it without the warrant being surrendered and cancelled.

(4) Until the warrant is surrendered, the particulars specified in subsection (1) are deemed to be those required by this Act to be entered in the register of members; and, on the surrender, the date of the surrender must be entered.

(5) Except as provided by section 291(2) (director’s share qualification), the bearer of a share warrant may, if the articles of the company so provide, be deemed a member of the company within the meaning of this Act, either to the full extent or for any purposes defined in the articles.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C19 S. 355 applied (with modifications) (26.11.2001) by S.I. 2001/3755, reg. 23(4), Sch. 4 para. 8 (with regs. 39, 45)

356 Inspection of register and index. E+W+S

F17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F17 S. 356 repealed (1.10.2007) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1295, 1300, Sch. 16; S.I. 2007/2194, art. 8, Sch. 2 Pt. 1 (with art. 12)

357 Non-compliance with ss. 353, 354, 356; agent’s default. E+W+S

Where under section 353(1)(b), the register of members is kept at the office of some person other than the company, and by reason of any default of his the company fails to comply with—

• section 353(2) (notice to registrar),

• section 354(3) (index to be kept with register), or

• F18 . . .

or with any requirement of this Act as to the production of the register, that other person is liable to the same penalties as if he were an officer of the company who was in default F18 . . .

Textual Amendments

F18 Words in s. 357 repealed (1.10.2007) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1295, 1300, Sch. 16; S.I. 2007/2194, art. 8, Sch. 2 Pt. 1 (with art. 12)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C20 S. 357 excluded (26.11.2001) by S.I. 2001/3755, reg. 23(4), Sch. 4 para. 6(5)(6) (with regs. 39, 45)

C21 S. 357 applied (12.2.1992) by S.I. 1992/225, reg. 26(3).

358 Power to close register. E+W+S

A company may, on giving notice by advertisement in a newspaper circulating in the district in which the company’s registered office is situated, close the register of members for any time or times not exceeding in the whole 30 days in each year.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C22 S. 358 excluded (12.2.1992) by S.I. 1992/225, reg. 16, Sch. 2 para. 1(3).

S. 358 excluded (19.12.1995) by S.I. 1995/3272, reg. 22

S. 258 excluded (26.11.2001) by S.I. 2001/3755, reg. 26 (with regs. 39, 45)

359 Power of court to rectify register. E+W+S

(1) If—

(a) the name of any person is, without sufficient cause, entered in or omitted from a company’s register of members, or

(b) default is made or unnecessary delay takes place in entering on the register the fact of any person having ceased to be a member,

the person aggrieved, or any member of the company, or the company, may apply to the court for rectification of the register.

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

(3) On such an application the court may decide any question relating to the title of a person who is a party to the application to have his name entered in or omitted from the register, whether the question arises between members or alleged members, or between members or alleged members on the one hand and the company on the other hand, and generally may decide any question necessary or expedient to be decided for rectification of the register.

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

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C23 S. 359 restricted (26.11.2001) by S.I. 2001/3755, reg. 23(4), Sch. 4 para. 11 (with regs. 39, 45)

C24 S. 359 excluded (12.2.1992) by S.I. 1992/225, reg. 73(2).

C25 S. 359(1)(a) applied (with modifications) (12.2.1992) by S.I. 1992/225, reg. 73(1).

C26 S. 359(2)-(4) applied (with modifications) (12.2.1992) by S.I. 1992/225, reg. 73(1).

360 Trusts not to be entered on register in England and Wales. E+W+S

No notice of any trust, expressed, implied or constructive, shall be entered on the register, or be receivable by the registrar, in the case of companies registered in England and Wales.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C27 S. 360 amended (12.2.1992) by S.I. 1992/225, reg. 67(2).

361 Register to be evidence. E+W+S

The register of members is prima facie evidence of any matters which are by this Act directed or authorised to be inserted in it.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C28 S. 361 excluded (26.11.2001) by S.I. 2001/3755, reg. 24(4) (with regs. 39, 45)

362 Overseas branch registers. E+W+S

(1) A company having a share capital whose objects comprise the transaction of business in any of the countries or territories specified in Part I of Schedule 14 to this Act may cause to be kept in any such country or territory in which it transacts business a branch register of members resident in that country or territory.

(2) Such a branch register is to be known as an “overseas branch register”; and—

(a) any dominion register kept by a company under section 119 of the M1 Companies Act 1948 is to become known as an overseas branch register of the company;

(b) where any Act or instrument (including in particular a company’s articles) refers to a company’s dominion register, that reference is to be read (unless the context otherwise requires) as being to an overseas branch register kept under this section; and

(c) references to a colonial register occurring in articles registered before 1st November 1929 are to be read as referring to an overseas branch register.

(3) Part II of Schedule 14 has effect with respect to overseas branch registers kept under this section; and Part III of the Schedule enables corresponding facilities in Great Britain to be accorded to companies incorporated in other parts of the world.

(4) The M2 Foreign Jurisdiction Act 1890 has effect as if subsection (1) of this section, and Part II of Schedule 14, were included among the enactments which by virtue of section 5 of that Act may be applied by Order in Council to foreign countries in which for the time being Her Majesty has jurisdiction.

(5) Her Majesty may by Order in Council direct that subsection (1) above and Part II of Schedule 14 shall extend, with such exceptions, modifications or adaptations (if any) as may be specified in the Order, to any territories under Her Majesty’s protection to which those provisions cannot be extended under the Foreign Jurisdiction Act 1890.

Marginal Citations

M1 1948 c. 38.

M2 1890 c. 37.

[F19 Chapter III E+W+S Annual Return]

Textual Amendments

F19 Chapter III (ss. 363–365) substituted (subject to the transitional and saving provisions in S.I. 1990/1707, arts. 4, 5) by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 139(1), 213(2)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C29 Chapter III (ss. 363–365) excluded by S.I. 1990/1707, art. 5(4)(7)

363 Duty to deliver annual returns. E+W+S

(1) Every company shall deliver to the registrar successive annual returns each of which is made up to a date not later than the date which is from time to time the company’s “return date”, that is—

(a) the anniversary of the company’s incorporation, or

(b) if the company’s last return delivered in accordance with this Chapter was made up to a different date, the anniversary of that date.

(2) Each return shall—

(a) be in the prescribed form,

(b) contain the information required by or under the following provisions of this Chapter, and

(c) be signed by a director or the secretary of the company;

and it shall be delivered to the registrar within 28 days after the date to which it is made up.

(3) If a company fails to deliver an annual return in accordance with this Chapter before the end of the period of 28 days after a return date, the company is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine and, in the case of continued contravention, to a daily default fine.

The contravention continues until such time as an annual return made up to that return date and complying with the requirements of subsection (2) (except as to date of delivery) is delivered by the company to the registrar.

(4) Where a company is guilty of an offence under subsection (3), every director or secretary of the company is similarly liable unless he shows that he took all reasonable steps to avoid the commission or continuation of the offence.

(5) The references in this section to a return being delivered “in accordance with this Chapter” are—

(a) in relation to a return made [F20 on or after 1st October 1990], to a return with respect to which all the requirements of subsection (2) are complied with;

(b) in relation to a return made before [F21 1st October 1990], to a return with respect to which the formal and substantive requirements of this Chapter as it then had effect were complied with, whether or not the return was delivered in time.

Textual Amendments

F20 Words substituted by S.I. 1990/1707, art. 7(a)

F21 Words substituted by S.I. 1990/1707, art. 7(b)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C30 S. 363 applied with modifications by S.I. 1985/680, regs. 4–6, Sch.

C31 S. 363 excluded by S.I. 1985/724, reg. 4(4)

C32 S. 363 applied (with modifications) (6.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/1090, reg. 4, Sch. 2 Pt. I

[F22 364 Contents of annual return: general. E+W+S

(1) Every annual return shall state the date to which it is made up and shall contain the following information—

(a) the address of the company’s registered office;

(b) the type of company it is and its principal business activities;

(c) the name and address of the company secretary;

(d) the name and address of every director of the company;

(e) in the case of each individual director—

(i) his nationality, date of birth and business occupation, F23 . . .

F23 (ii) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F24 (f) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(g) if the register of members is not kept at the company’s registered office, the address of the place where it is kept;

(h) if any register of debenture holders (or a duplicate of any such register or a part of it) is not kept at the company’s registered office, the address of the place where it is kept;

F25 (i) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2) The information as to the company’s type shall be given by reference to the classification scheme prescribed for the purposes of this section.

(3) The information as to the company’s principal business activities may be given by reference to one or more categories of any prescribed system of classifying business activities.

(4) A person’s “name” and “address” mean, respectively—

(a) in the case of an individual, his Christian name (or other forename) and surname and his usual residential address;

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

(5) In the case of a peer, or an individual usually known by a title, the title may be stated instead of his Christian name (or other forename) and surname or in addition to either or both of them.

(6) Where all the partners in a firm are joint secretaries, the name and principal office of the firm may be stated instead of the names and addresses of the partners.]

Textual Amendments

F22 Chapter III (ss. 363–365) substituted (subject to the transitional and saving provisions in S.I. 1990/1707, arts. 4, 5) by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 139(1), 213(2)

F23 S. 364(1)(e)(ii) and preceding word repealed (13.9.1999) by S.I. 1999/2322, reg. 2(a)

F24 S. 364(1)(f) repealed (13.9.1999) by S.I. 1999/2322, reg. 2(b)

F25 S. 364(1)(i) repealed (13.9.1999) by S.I. 1999/2322, reg. 2(c)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C33 S. 364 applied with modifications by S.I. 1985/680, regs. 4–6, Sch.

C34 S. 364 excluded by S.I. 1985/724, reg. 4(4)

C35 S. 364 applied (with modifications) (6.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/1090, reg. 4, Sch. 2 Pt. I

[F26 364A Contents of annual return: particulars of share capital and shareholders. E+W+S

(1) The annual return of a company having a share capital shall contain the following information with respect to its share capital and members.

(2) The return shall state the total number of issued shares of the company at the date to which the return is made up and the aggregate nominal value of those shares.

(3) The return shall state with respect to each class of shares in the company—

(a) the nature of the class, and

(b) the total number and aggregate nominal value of issued shares of that class at the date to which the return is made up.

(4) The return shall contain a list of the names and addresses of every person who—

(a) is a member of the company on the date to which the return is made up, or

(b) has ceased to be a member of the company since the date to which the last return was made up (or, in the case of the first return, since the incorporation of the company);

and if the names are not arranged in alphabetical order the return shall have annexed to it an index sufficient to enable the name of any person in the list to be easily found.

(5) The return shall also state—

(a) the number of shares of each class held by each member of the company at the date to which the return is made up, and

(b) the number of shares of each class transferred since the date to which the last return was made up (or, in the case of the first return, since the incorporation of the company) by each member or person who has ceased to be a member, and the dates of registration of the transfers.

(6) The return may, if either of the two immediately preceding returns has given the full particulars required by subsections (4) and (5), give only such particulars as relate to persons ceasing to be or becoming members since the date of the last return and to shares transferred since that date.

(7) Subsections (4) and (5) do not require the inclusion of particulars entered in an overseas branch register if copies of those entries have not been received at the company’s registered office by the date to which the return is made up.

Those particulars shall be included in the company’s next annual return after they are received.

(8) Where the company has converted any of its shares into stock, the return shall give the corresponding information in relation to that stock, stating the amount of stock instead of the number or nominal value of shares.]

Textual Amendments

F26 Chapter III (ss. 363–365) substituted (subject to the transitional and saving provisions in S.I. 1990/1707, arts. 4, 5) by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 139(1), 213(2)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C36 S. 364A modified (12.2.1992) by S.I. 1992/225, reg. 121, Sch. 8 para.3.

Valid from 01/10/2008

364B Contents of annual return: information about shareholders: non-traded companies E+W+S

(1) The annual return of a company that was a non-traded company throughout the return period must also contain the following information.

(2) The return must contain a list of the names of every person who was a member of the company at any time during the return period. If the names are not arranged in alphabetical order the return must have annexed to it an index sufficient to enable the name of any person in the list to be easily found.

(3) The return must also state—

(a) the number of shares of each class held at the end of the date to which the return is made up by each person who was a member of the company at that time,

(b) the number of shares of each class transferred during the return period by or to each person who was a member of the company at any time during that period, and

(c) the dates of registration of those transfers.

(4) If either of the two immediately preceding returns has given the full particulars required by subsections (2) and (3), the return need only give such particulars as relate—

(a) to persons who became, or ceased to be, members during the return period, and

(b) to shares transferred during that period.

(5) Subsections (2) and (3) do not require the inclusion of particulars entered in an overseas branch register if copies of those entries have not been received at the company's registered office by the date to which the return is made up. Those particulars must be included in the company's next annual return after they are received.

Valid from 01/10/2008

364C Contents of annual return: information about shareholders: traded companies E+W+S

(1) The annual return of a company that was a traded company at any time during the return period must also contain the following information.

(2) The return must contain a list of the names and addresses of every person who held at least 5% of the issued shares of any class of the company at any time during the return period. If the names are not arranged in alphabetical order the return must have annexed to it an index sufficient to enable the name of any person in the list to be easily found.

(3) The return must also state—

(a) the number of shares of each class held at the end of the date to which the return is made up by each person who held at least 5% of the issued shares of any class of the company at that time,

(b) the number of shares of each class transferred during the return period by or to each person who held at least 5% of the issued shares of any class of the company at any time during the return period, and

(c) the dates of registration of those transfers.

(4) If either of the two immediately preceding returns has given the full particulars required by subsections (2) and (3), the return need only give such particulars as relate—

(a) to persons who came to hold, or ceased to hold, at least 5% of the issued shares of any class of the company during the return period, and

(b) to shares transferred during that period.

(5) Subsections (2) and (3) do not require the inclusion of particulars entered in an overseas branch register if copies of those entries have not been received at the company's registered office by the date to which the return is made up. Those particulars must be included in the company's next annual return after they are received.

Valid from 01/10/2008

364D Contents of annual return: information about shareholders: supplementary E+W+S

(1) In sections 364, 364B and 364C—

• “non-traded company” means a company none of whose shares are shares admitted to trading on a regulated market (so that “traded company” means a company any of whose shares are shares admitted to trading on a regulated market);

• “regulated market” means a market which appears on the list drawn up by an EEA State pursuant to Article 47 of Directive 2004/39/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 April 2004 on markets in financial instruments F27 ; and

• “return period”, in relation to an annual return, means the period beginning immediately after the date to which the last return was made up (or, in the case of the first return, with the incorporation of the company) and ending with the date to which the return is made up.

(2) Where a company has converted any of its shares into stock, the return must give information in relation to that stock corresponding to that required by section 364B or 364C (as the case may be) in relation to shares of the company, stating the amount of stock instead of the number of shares.

Textual Amendments

F27 OJ No. L145, 30.4.2004, p.1.

[F28 365 Supplementary provisions: regulations and interpretation. E+W+S

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make further provision as to the information to be given in a company’s annual return, which may amend or repeal the provisions of sections 364 and 364A.

(2) 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 Parliamant.

(3) For the purposes of this Chapter, except section 363(2)(c) (signature of annual return), a shadow director shall be deemed to be a director.]

Textual Amendments

F28 Chapter III (ss. 363–365) substituted (subject to the transitional and saving provisions in S.I. 1990/1707, arts. 4, 5) by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 139(1), 213(2)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C37 S. 365 applied with modifications by S.I. 1985/680, regs. 4–6, Sch.

C38 S. 365 modified by S.I. 1990/355, art. 10, Sch. 4 para. 2 (as amended by 1990/1707 art. 8(1))

Chapter IV U.K. Meetings and Resolutions

Meetings U.K.

366 Annual general meeting. U.K.

F29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F29 S. 366 repealed (1.10.2007) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1295, 1300, Sch. 16; S.I. 2007/2194, art. 8, Sch. 2 Pt. 1 (with art. 12)

366A Election by private company to dispense with annual general meetings. U.K.

F30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F30 S. 366A repealed (1.10.2007) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1295, 1300, Sch. 16; S.I. 2007/2194, art. 8, Sch. 2 Pt. 1 (with art. 12)

367 Secretary of State’s power to call meeting in default. U.K.

F31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F31 S. 367 repealed (1.10.2007) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1295, 1300, Sch. 16; S.I. 2007/2194, art. 8, Sch. 2 Pt. 1 (with art. 12)

368 Extraordinary general meeting on members’ requisition. U.K.

F32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F32 S. 368 repealed (1.10.2007) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1295, 1300, Sch. 16; S.I. 2007/2194, art. 8, Sch. 2 Pt. 1 (with art. 12)

369 Length of notice for calling meetings. U.K.

F33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F33 S. 369 repealed (1.10.2007) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1295, 1300, Sch. 16; S.I. 2007/2194, art. 8, Sch. 2 Pt. 1 (with art. 12)

370 General provisions as to meetings and votes. U.K.

F34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F34 S. 370 repealed (1.10.2007) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1295, 1300, Sch. 16; S.I. 2007/2194, art. 8, Sch. 2 Pt. 1 (with art. 12)

370A Quorum at meetings of the sole member E+W+S

F35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F35 S. 370A repealed (1.10.2007) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1295, 1300, Sch. 16; S.I. 2007/2194, art. 8, Sch. 2 Pt. 1 (with art. 12)

371 Power of court to order meeting. U.K.

F36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F36 S. 371 repealed (1.10.2007) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1295, 1300, Sch. 16; S.I. 2007/2194, art. 8, Sch. 2 Pt. 1 (with art. 12)

372 Proxies. U.K.

F37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F37 S. 372 repealed (1.10.2007) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1295, 1300, Sch. 16; S.I. 2007/2194, art. 8, Sch. 2 Pt. 1 (with art. 12)

373 Right to demand a poll. U.K.

F38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F38 S. 373 repealed (1.10.2007) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1295, 1300, Sch. 16; S.I. 2007/2194, art. 8, Sch. 2 Pt. 1 (with art. 12)

374 Voting on a poll. U.K.

F39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F39 S. 374 repealed (1.10.2007) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1295, 1300, Sch. 16; S.I. 2007/2194, art. 8, Sch. 2 Pt. 1 (with art. 12)

375 Representation of corporations at meetings. U.K.

F40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F40 S. 375 repealed (1.10.2007) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1295, 1300, Sch. 16; S.I. 2007/2194, art. 8, Sch. 2 Pt. 1 (with art. 12)

Resolutions U.K.

376 Circulation of members’ resolutions. U.K.

F41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F41 S. 376 repealed (1.10.2007) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1295, 1300, Sch. 16; S.I. 2007/2194, art. 8, Sch. 2 Pt. 1 (with art. 12)

377 In certain cases, compliance with s. 376 not required. U.K.

F42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F42 S. 377 repealed (1.10.2007) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1295, 1300, Sch. 16; S.I. 2007/2194, art. 8, Sch. 2 Pt. 1 (with art. 12)

378 Extraordinary and special resolutions. U.K.

F43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F43 S. 378 repealed (1.10.2007) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1295, 1300, Sch. 16; S.I. 2007/2194, art. 8, Sch. 2 Pt. 1 (with art. 12)

379 Resolution requiring special notice. U.K.

F44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F44 S. 379 repealed (1.10.2007) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1295, 1300, Sch. 16; S.I. 2007/2194, art. 8, Sch. 2 Pt. 1 (with art. 12)

[F45 379A Elective resolution of private company. E+W+S

(1) An election by a private company for the purposes of—

(a) section 80A (election as to duration of authority to allot shares),

(b) F46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(c) F46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(d) F46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(e) F46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

shall be made by resolution of the company in general meeting in accordance with this section.

• Such a resolution is referred to in this Act as an “elective resolution”.

(2) An elective resolution is not effective unless—

(a) at least 21 days’ notice in writing is given of the meeting, stating that an elective resolution is to be proposed and stating the terms of the resolution, and

(b) the resolution is agreed to at the meeting, in person or by proxy, by all the members entitled to attend and vote at the meeting.

[F47 (2A) An elective resolution is effective notwithstanding the fact that less than 21 days’ notice in writing of the meeting is given if all the members entitled to attend and vote at the meeting so agree.]

(2B) F48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2C) F48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2D) F48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2E) F48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2F) F48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) The company may revoke an elective resolution by passing an ordinary resolution to that effect.

(4) An elective resolution shall cease to have effect if the company is re-registered as a public company.

(5) An elective resolution may be passed or revoked in accordance with this section, and the provisions referred to in [F49 subsections (1) and (2B) to (2E)] have effect, notwithstanding any contrary provision in the company’s articles of association.]

(5A) F48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F45 S. 379A inserted by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 116(2), 213(2)

F46 S. 379A(1)(b)-(e) repealed (1.10.2007) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1295, 1300, Sch. 16; S.I. 2007/2194, art. 8, Sch. 2 Pt. 1 (with art. 12)

F47 S. 379A(2A) inserted (19.6.1996) by S.I. 1996/1471, art. 2

F48 S. 379A(2B)-(2F)(5A) repealed (20.1.2007) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1295, 1300, Sch. 16; S.I. 2006/3428, art. 7(b), Sch. 3 Pt. 1 (with arts. 6, 8, Sch. 5 (as amended by S.I. 2007/3495, art. 11, Sch. 5))

F49 Words in s. 379A(5) substituted (22.12.2000) by S.I. 2000/3373, art. 21(1)(3)

380 Registration, etc. of resolutions and agreements. E+W+S

(1) A copy of every resolution or agreement to which this section applies shall, within 15 days after it is passed or made, be forwarded to the registrar of companies and recorded by him; and it must be either a printed copy or else a copy in some other form approved by the registrar.

(2) Where articles have been registered, a copy of [F50 every resolution or agreement to which Chapter 3 of Part 3 of the Companies Act 2006 applies (resolutions and agreements affecting a company's constitution) and which is] for the time being in force shall be embodied in or annexed to every copy of the articles issued after the passing of the resolution or the making of the agreement.

(3) Where articles have not been registered, a printed copy of every such resolution or agreement shall be forwarded to any member at his request on payment of 5 pence or such less sum as the company may direct.

(4) This section applies to—

(a) F51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b) extraordinary resolutions;

[F52 (bb) an elective resolution or a resolution revoking such a resolution;]

(c) F51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(d) F51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(e) F51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(f) F51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(g) F51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(h) F51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(j) F51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(k) F51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(l) F51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(m) F51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F53 (4ZA) This section does not, despite paragraphs (a) to (c) of subsection (4), apply to any resolution of a company which is—

(a) registered as a company in Scotland, and

(b) entered in the Scottish Charity Register,

where that resolution is of either of the types mentioned in section 56(5) of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 (asp 10).]

[F54 (4A) For the purposes of this section, references to a member of a company do not include the company itself where it is such a member by virtue only of its holding shares as treasury shares, and accordingly, in such circumstances, the company is not, for those purposes, to be treated as a member of any class of the company’s shareholders.]

(5) If a company fails to comply with subsection (1), 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.

(6) If a company fails to comply with subsection (2) or (3), the company and every officer of it who is in default is liable to a fine.

(7) For purposes of subsections (5) and (6), a liquidator of a company is deemed an officer of it.

Textual Amendments

F50 Words in s. 380(2) substituted (1.10.2007) by The Companies Act 2006 (Commencement No. 3, Consequential Amendments, Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/2194), art. 10(1), Sch. 4 para. 1(9) (with art. 12)

F51 S. 380(4)(a)(c)-(m) repealed (1.10.2007) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1295, 1300, Sch. 16; S.I. 2007/2194, art. 8, Sch. 2 Pt. 1 (with art. 12) (as substituted by S.I. 2007/2607, art. 4(2)(a))

F52 S. 380(4)(bb) inserted by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 116(3), 213(2)

F53 S. 380(4ZA) inserted (S.) (1.4.2006) by Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 (asp 10), ss. 104, 107(2), Sch. 4 para. 6; S.S.I. 2006/189, art. 2(1), Sch. Pt. 1 (with art. 3(1)(2))

F54 S. 380(4A) inserted (1.12.2003) by The Companies (Acquisition of Own Shares)(Treasury Shares) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/1116), reg. 4, {Sch. para. 25}

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C39 S. 380 applied (E.W.) (1.9.1992) by Charities Act 1992 (c. 41), s. 5(2); S.I. 1992/1900, art. 2(1), Sch. 1.

S. 380 applied (E.W.) (1.8.1993) by 1993 c. 10, ss. 7(2), 99(1)

C40 S. 380(6) extended (12.2.1992) by S.I. 1992/225, regs. 77(2), 89(4).

381 Resolution passed at adjourned meeting. U.K.

F55 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F55 S. 381 repealed (1.10.2007) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1295, 1300, Sch. 16; S.I. 2007/2194, art. 8, Sch. 2 Pt. 1 (with art. 12)

Written resolutions of private companies U.K.

381A Written resolutions of private companies. E+W+S

F56 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F56 S. 381A repealed (1.10.2007) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1295, 1300, Sch. 16; S.I. 2007/2194, art. 8, Sch. 2 Pt. 1 (with art. 12)

381B Duty to notify auditors of proposed written resolution U.K.

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

Textual Amendments

F57 S. 381B repealed (1.10.2007) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1295, 1300, Sch. 16; S.I. 2007/2194, art. 8, Sch. 2 Pt. 1 (with art. 12)

381C Written resolutions: supplementary provisions. E+W+S

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

Textual Amendments

F58 S. 381C repealed (1.10.2007) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1295, 1300, Sch. 16; S.I. 2007/2194, art. 8, Sch. 2 Pt. 1 (with art. 12)

Records of proceedings U.K.

382 Minutes of meetings. U.K.

F59 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F59 S. 382 repealed (1.10.2007) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1295, 1300, Sch. 16; S.I. 2007/2194, art. 8, Sch. 2 Pt. 1 (with art. 12)

382A Recording of written resolutions. U.K.

F60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F60 S. 382A repealed (1.10.2007) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1295, 1300, Sch. 16; S.I. 2007/2194, art. 8, Sch. 2 Pt. 1 (with art. 12)

382B Recording of decisions by the sole member E+W+S

F61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F61 S. 382B repealed (1.10.2007) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1295, 1300, Sch. 16; S.I. 2007/2194, art. 8, Sch. 2 Pt. 1 (with art. 12)

383 Inspection of minute books. U.K.

F62 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F62 S. 383 repealed (1.10.2007) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1295, 1300, Sch. 16; S.I. 2007/2194, art. 8, Sch. 2 Pt. 1 (with art. 12)

[F63 Appointment of auditors U.K.

Textual Amendments

F63 New ss. 384–388A inserted (subject to the savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 1990/355, arts. 4, 10, Sch. 4) by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 118, 119(1), 213(2), (as part of the text inserted to replace Chapter V as mentioned in s. 118 of the 1989 Act)

[F64 384 Duty to appoint auditors. E+W+S

(1) [F65 Every public company] shall appoint an auditor or auditors in accordance with this Chapter.

This is subject to section 388A ([F66 certain companies] exempt from obligation to appoint auditors).

(2) Auditors shall be appointed in accordance with section 385 (appointment at general meeting at which accounts are laid), F67 . . . .

(3) References in this Chapter to the end of the time for appointing auditors are to the end of the time within which an appointment must be made under section 385(2) F68 . . .

(4) F69 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]

Textual Amendments

F64 S. 384 repealed (1.10.2007 with application to private companies) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1295, 1300, Sch. 16; S.I. 2007/2194, art. 8, Sch. 2 Pt. 1 (with art. 12)

F65 Words in s. 384(1) substituted (1.10.2007 with effect in accordance with Sch. 4 para. 8(6) of the amending S.I.) by The Companies Act 2006 (Commencement No. 3, Consequential Amendments, Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/2194), art. 10(1), Sch. 4 para. 8(1)(a) (with art. 12)

F66 Words in s. 384(1) substituted (11.8.1994) by S.I. 1994/1935, reg. 4, Sch. 1 Pt.I para. 4

F67 Words in s. 384(2) omitted (1.10.2007 with effect in accordance with Sch. 4 para. 8(6) of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Companies Act 2006 (Commencement No. 3, Consequential Amendments, Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/2194), art. 10(1), Sch. 4 para. 8(1)(b) (with art. 12)

F68 Words in s. 384(3) omitted (1.10.2007 with effect in accordance with Sch. 4 para. 8(6) of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Companies Act 2006 (Commencement No. 3, Consequential Amendments, Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/2194), art. 10(1), Sch. 4 para. 8(1)(c) (with art. 12)

F69 S. 384(4) omitted (1.10.2007 with effect in accordance with Sch. 4 para. 8(6) of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Companies Act 2006 (Commencement No. 3, Consequential Amendments, Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/2194), art. 10(1), Sch. 4 para. 8(1)(d) (with art. 12)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C41 S. 384 applied with modifications by S.I. 1985/680, regs. 4, 6, Sch.

C42 S. 384 applied (with modifications) (6.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/1090, reg. 4, Sch. 2 Pt. I

[F70 [F71 385 Appointment at general meeting at which accounts laid. E+W+S

(1) This section applies to every public company F72 . . . .

(2) The company shall, at each general meeting at which accounts are laid, appoint an auditor or auditors to hold office from the conclusion of that meeting until the conclusion of the next general meeting at which accounts are laid.

(3) The first auditors of the company may be appointed by the directors at any time before the first general meeting of the company at which accounts are laid; and auditors so appointed shall hold office until the conclusion of that meeting.

(4) If the directors fail to exercise their powers under subsection (3), the powers may be exercised by the company in general meeting.]]

Textual Amendments

F70 S. 385 repealed (1.10.2007 with application to private companies) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1295, 1300, Sch. 16; S.I. 2007/2194, art. 8, Sch. 2 Pt. 1 (with art. 12)

F71 New ss. 384–388A inserted (subject to the savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 1990/355, arts. 4, 10, Sch. 4) by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 118, 119(1), 213(2), (as part of the text inserted to replace Chapter V as mentioned in s. 118 of the 1989 Act)

F72 Words in s. 385(1) omitted (1.10.2007 with effect in accordance with Sch. 4 para. 8(6) of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Companies Act 2006 (Commencement No. 3, Consequential Amendments, Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/2194), art. 10(1), Sch. 4 para. 8(2) (with art. 12)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C43 S. 385 applied (with modifications) (6.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/1090, reg. 4, Sch. 2 Pt. I

385A Appointment by private company which is not obliged to lay accounts. E+W+S

F73 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F73 S. 385A repealed (1.10.2007) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1295, 1300, Sch. 16; S.I. 2007/2194, art. 8, Sch. 2 Pt. 1 (with art. 12)

386 Election by private company to dispense with annual appointment. E+W+S

F74 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]

Textual Amendments

F74 S. 386 repealed (1.10.2007) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1295, 1300, Sch. 16; S.I. 2007/2194, art. 8, Sch. 2 Pt. 1 (with art. 12)

[F75 [F76 387 Appointment by Secretary of State in default of appointment by company. E+W+S

(1) [F77 If in the case of a public company] no auditors are appointed, re-appointed or deemed to be re-appointed before the end of the time for appointing auditors, the Secretary of State may appoint a person to fill the vacancy.

(2) In such a case the company shall within one week of the end of the time for appointing auditors give notice to the Secretary of State of his power having become exercisable.

If a company fails to give the notice required by this subsection, 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.]]

Textual Amendments

F75 S. 387 repealed (1.10.2007 with application to private companies) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1295, 1300, Sch. 16; S.I. 2007/2194, art. 8, Sch. 2 Pt. 1 (with art. 12)

F76 New ss. 384–388A inserted (subject to the savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 1990/355, arts. 4, 10, Sch. 4) by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 118, 119(1), 213(2), (as part of the text inserted to replace Chapter V as mentioned in s. 118 of the 1989 Act)

F77 Words in s. 387(1) substituted (1.10.2007 with effect in accordance with Sch. 4 para. 8(6) of the amending S.I.) by The Companies Act 2006 (Commencement No. 3, Consequential Amendments, Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/2194), art. 10(1), Sch. 4 para. 8(3) (with art. 12)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C44 S. 387 applied (with modifications) (6.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/1090, reg. 4, Sch. 2 Pt. I

[F78 [F79 388 Filling of casual vacancies. E+W+S

(1) The directors [F80 of a public company] , or the company in general meeting, may fill a casual vacancy in the office of auditor.

(2) While such a vacancy continues, any surviving or continuing auditor or auditors may continue to act.

(3) Special notice is required for a resolution at a general meeting of [F81 a public company]—

(a) filling a casual vacancy in the office of auditor, or

(b) re-appointing as auditor a retiring auditor who was appointed by the directors to fill a casual vacancy.

(4) On receipt of notice of such an intended resolution the company shall forthwith send a copy of it—

(a) to the person proposed to be appointed, and

(b) if the casual vacancy was caused by the resignation of an auditor, to the auditor who resigned.]]

Textual Amendments

F78 S. 388 repealed (1.10.2007 with application to private companies) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1295, 1300, Sch. 16; S.I. 2007/2194, art. 8, Sch. 2 Pt. 1 (with art. 12)

F79 New ss. 384–388A inserted (subject to the savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 1990/355, arts. 4, 10, Sch. 4) by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 118, 119(1), 213(2), (as part of the text inserted to replace Chapter V as mentioned in s. 118 of the 1989 Act)

F80 Words in s. 388(1) inserted (1.10.2007 with effect in accordance with Sch. 4 para. 8(6) of the amending S.I.) by The Companies Act 2006 (Commencement No. 3, Consequential Amendments, Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/2194), art. 10(1), Sch. 4 para. 8(4)(a) (with art. 12)

F81 Words in s. 388(3) substituted (1.10.2007 with effect in accordance with Sch. 4 para. 8(6) of the amending S.I.) by The Companies Act 2006 (Commencement No. 3, Consequential Amendments, Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/2194), art. 10(1), Sch. 4 para. 8(4)(b) (with art. 12)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C45 S. 388 applied (with modifications) (6.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/1090, reg. 4, Sch. 2 Pt. I

[F82 [F83 388A Certain companies exempt from obligation to appoint auditors E+W+S

(1) [F84 A public company] which by virtue of section 249A (certain categories of small company) or [F85 section 249AA] (dormant companies) is exempt from the provisions of Part VII relating to the audit of accounts is also exempt from the obligation to appoint auditors.

(2) The following provisions apply if [F86 a public company] which has been exempt from those provisions ceases to be so exempt.

(3) Where section 385 applies (appointment at general meeting at which accounts are laid), the directors may appoint auditors at any time before the next meeting of the company at which accounts are to be laid; and auditors so appointed shall hold office until the conclusion of that meeting.

(4) F87 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5) If the directors fail to exercise their powers under subsection (3) F88 . . . , the powers may be exercised by the company in general meeting.]]

Textual Amendments

F82 S. 388A repealed (1.10.2007 with application to private companies) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1295, 1300, Sch. 16; S.I. 2007/2194, art. 8, Sch. 2 Pt. 1 (with art. 12)

F83 S. 388A substituted (11.8.1994) by S.I. 1994/1935, reg. 3

F84 Words in s. 388A(1) substituted (1.10.2007 with effect in accordance with Sch. 4 para. 8(6) of the amending S.I.) by The Companies Act 2006 (Commencement No. 3, Consequential Amendments, Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/2194), art. 10(1), Sch. 4 para. 8(5)(a) (with art. 12)

F85 Words in s. 388A(1) substituted (26.5.2000 with application as mentioned in art. 1(2) of the amending Act) by S.I. 2000/1430, reg. 1(2), 8(9)

F86 Words in s. 388A(2) substituted (1.10.2007 with effect in accordance with Sch. 4 para. 8(6) of the amending S.I.) by The Companies Act 2006 (Commencement No. 3, Consequential Amendments, Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/2194), art. 10(1), Sch. 4 para. 8(5)(b) (with art. 12)

F87 S. 388A(4) omitted (1.10.2007 with effect in accordance with Sch. 4 para. 8(6) of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Companies Act 2006 (Commencement No. 3, Consequential Amendments, Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/2194), art. 10(1), Sch. 4 para. 8(5)(c) (with art. 12)

F88 Words in s. 388A(5) omitted (1.10.2007 with effect in accordance with Sch. 4 para. 8(6) of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Companies Act 2006 (Commencement No. 3, Consequential Amendments, Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/2194), art. 10(1), Sch. 4 para. 8(5)(d) (with art. 12)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C46 S. 388A applied (with modifications) (6.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/1090, reg. 4, Sch. 2 Pt. I

F89 389 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F89 S. 389 repealed (01.10.1991) by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 212, 213(2), Sch. 24; S.I. 1991/1996, art. 2(1)(c)(i).

Rights of auditors E+W+S

[F90 389A Rights to information. E+W+S

(1) An auditor of a company—

(a) has a right of access at all times to the company’s books, accounts and vouchers (in whatever form they are held), and

(b) may require any of the persons mentioned in subsection (2) to provide him with such information or explanations as he thinks necessary for the performance of his duties as auditor.

(2) Those persons are—

(a) any officer or employee of the company;

(b) any person holding or accountable for any of the company’s books, accounts or vouchers;

(c) any subsidiary undertaking of the company which is a body corporate incorporated in Great Britain;

(d) any officer, employee or auditor of any such subsidiary undertaking or any person holding or accountable for any books, accounts or vouchers of any such subsidiary undertaking;

(e) any person who fell within any of paragraphs (a) to (d) at a time to which the information or explanations required by the auditor relates or relate.

(3) Where a parent company has a subsidiary undertaking which is not a body corporate incorporated in Great Britain, the auditor of the parent company may require it to obtain from any of the persons mentioned in subsection (4) such information or explanations as he may reasonably require for the purposes of his duties as auditor.

(4) Those persons are—

(a) the undertaking;

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

(c) any person holding or accountable for any of the undertaking’s books, accounts or vouchers;

(d) any person who fell within paragraph (b) or (c) at a time to which the information or explanations relates or relate.

(5) If so required, the parent company must take all such steps as are reasonably open to it to obtain the information or explanations from the person within subsection (4) from whom the auditor has required the company to obtain the information or explanations.

(6) A statement made by a person in response to a requirement under subsection (1)(b) or (3) may not be used in evidence against him in any criminal proceedings except proceedings for an offence under section 389B.

(7) Nothing in this section or section 389B compels any person to disclose 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.]

Textual Amendments

F90 Ss. 389A, 389B substituted for s. 389A (6.4.2005) by Companies (Audit, Investigations and Community Enterprise) Act 2004 (c. 27), ss. 8, 65; S.I. 2004/3322, art. 2(2), Sch. 2 (subject to arts. 3-13)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C47 S. 389A applied (with modifications) (6.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/1090, reg. 4, Sch. 2 Pt. I

C48 Ss. 389A, 389B applied (1.7.2005) by Companies (Audit, Investigations and Community Enterprise) Act 2004 (c. 27), ss. 43(3), 65; S.I. 2004/3322, art. 2(3), Sch. 3 (subject to arts. 3-13)

389B Offences relating to the provision of information to auditors E+W+S

(1) If a person knowingly or recklessly makes to an auditor of a company a statement (oral or written) that—

(a) conveys or purports to convey any information or explanations which the auditor requires, or is entitled to require, under section 389A(1)(b), and

(b) is misleading, false or deceptive in a material particular,

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

(2) A person who fails to comply with a requirement under section 389A(1)(b) without delay is guilty of an offence and is liable to a fine.

(3) However, it is a defence for a person charged with an offence under subsection (2) to prove that it was not reasonably practicable for him to provide the required information or explanations.

(4) If a company fails to comply with section 389A(5), the company and every officer of it who is in default is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine.

(5) Nothing in this section affects any right of an auditor to apply for an injunction to enforce any of his rights under section 389A.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C49 Ss. 389A, 389B applied (1.7.2005) by Companies (Audit, Investigations and Community Enterprise) Act 2004 (c. 27), ss. 43(3), 65; S.I. 2004/3322, art. 2(3), Sch. 3 (subject to arts. 3-13)

[F91 390 Right to attend company meetings, &c. E+W+S

(1) A company’s auditors are entitled—

(a) to receive all notices of, and other communications relating to, any general meeting which a member of the company is entitled to receive;

(b) to attend any general meeting of the company; and

(c) to be heard at any general meeting which they attend on any part of the business of the meeting which concerns them as auditors.

(1A) F92 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2) In relation to a written resolution proposed to be agreed to by a private company F93 . . . , the company’s auditors are entitled—

(a) to receive all such communications relating to the resolution as, by virtue of any provision of [F94 Chapter 2 of Part 13 of the Companies Act 2006] , are required to be supplied to a member of the company,

F95 (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) The right to attend or be heard at a meeting is exercisable in the case of a body corporate or partnership by an individual authorised by it in writing to act as its representative at the meeting.]

Textual Amendments

F91 New ss. 389A–390 inserted (subject to the savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 1990/355, arts. 4, 10, Sch. 4) by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 118, 120(1) as part of the text inserted to replace Chapter V of Part XI (as mentioned in s. 118 of the 1989 Act)

F92 S. 390(1A) omitted (1.10.2007) by virtue of The Companies Act 2006 (Commencement No. 3, Consequential Amendments, Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/2194), art. 10(1), Sch. 4 para. 4(2) (with art. 12)

F93 Words in s. 390(2) omitted (1.10.2007) by virtue of The Companies Act 2006 (Commencement No. 3, Consequential Amendments, Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/2194), art. 10(1), Sch. 4 para. 4(3)(a) (with art. 12)

F94 Words in s. 390(2)(a) substituted (1.10.2007) by The Companies Act 2006 (Commencement No. 3, Consequential Amendments, Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/2194), art. 10(1), Sch. 4 para. 4(3)(b) (with art. 12)

F95 S. 390(2)(b)-(d) repealed (19.6.1996 with effect as mentioned in art. 3(3) of the amending S.I.) by S.I. 1996/1471, art. 3(2)(b)(3)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C50 S. 390 applied with modifications by S.I. 1985/680, regs. 4–6, Sch.

C51 S. 390 applied (with modifications) (6.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/1090, reg. 4, Sch. 2 Pt. I

Remuneration of auditors E+W+S

390A Remuneration of auditors. E+W+S

(1) The remuneration of auditors appointed by the company in general meeting shall be fixed by the company in general meeting or in such manner as the company in general meeting may determine.

(2) The remuneration of auditors appointed by the directors or the Secretary of State shall be fixed by the directors or the Secretary of State, as the case may be.

(3) F96 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4) For the purposes of this section “remuneration” includes sums paid in respect of expenses.

(5) This section applies in relation to benefits in kind as to [F97 payments of money.]

Textual Amendments

F96 S. 390A(3) repealed (1.10.2005) by Companies (Audit, Investigations and Community Enterprise) Act 2004 (c. 27), ss. 7(2)(a), 64, 65, Sch. 8; S.I. 2004/3322, art. 2(4), Sch. 4 (subject to arts. 3-13)

F97 Words in s. 390A(5) substituted (1.10.2005) by Companies (Audit, Investigations and Community Enterprise) Act 2004 (c. 27), ss. 7(2)(b), 65, Sch. 8; S.I. 2004/3322, art. 2(4), Sch. 4 (subject to arts. 3-13)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C52 S. 390A applied (with modifications) (6.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/1090, reg. 4, Sch. 2 Pt. I

[F98 390B Disclosure of services provided by auditors or associates and related remuneration E+W+S

(1) The Secretary of State may make provision by regulations for securing the disclosure of—

(a) the nature of any services provided for a company by the company’s auditors (whether in their capacity as such or otherwise) or by their associates;

(b) the amount of any remuneration received or receivable by a company’s auditors, or their associates, in respect of any services within paragraph (a).

(2) The regulations may provide—

(a) for disclosure of the nature of any services provided to be made by reference to any class or description of services specified in the regulations (or any combination of services, however described);

(b) for the disclosure of amounts of remuneration received or receivable in respect of services of any class or description specified in the regulations (or any combination of services, however described);

(c) for the disclosure of separate amounts so received or receivable by the company’s auditors or any of their associates, or of aggregate amounts so received or receivable by all or any of those persons.

(3) The regulations may—

(a) provide that “remuneration” includes sums paid in respect of expenses;

(b) apply to benefits in kind as well as to payments of money, and require the disclosure of the nature of any such benefits and their estimated money value;

(c) apply to services provided for associates of a company as well as to those provided for a company;

(d) define “associate” in relation to an auditor and a company respectively.

(4) The regulations may provide that any disclosure required by the regulations is to be made—

(a) in a note to the company’s annual accounts (in the case of its individual accounts) or in such manner as is specified in the regulations (in the case of group accounts),

(b) in the directors' report required by section 234, or

(c) in the auditors' report under section 235.

(5) If the regulations provide that any such disclosure is to be made as mentioned in subsection (4)(a) or (b), the regulations may—

(a) require the auditors to supply the directors of the company with any information necessary to enable the disclosure to be made;

(b) provide for any provision within subsection (6) to apply in relation to a failure to make the disclosure as it applies in relation to a failure to comply with a requirement of this Act or (as the case may be) a provision of Part 7.

(6) The provisions are—

(a) sections 233(5) and 234(5); and

(b) any provision of sections 245 to 245C.

(7) The regulations may make different provision for different cases.

(8) Nothing in subsections (2) to (7) affects the generality of subsection (1).

(9) 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

F98 S. 390B substituted (1.10.2005) by Companies (Audit, Investigations and Community Enterprise) Act 2004 (c. 27), ss. 7(1), 65; S.I. 2004/3322, art. 2(4), Sch. 4 (subject to arts. 3-13)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C53 S. 390B applied (with modifications) (6.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/1090, reg. 4, Sch. 2 Pt. I

C54 S. 390B extended (with modifications) (6.1.1997) by S.I. 1996/2827, reg. 63, Sch. 6 para. 11

Removal, resignation, &c. of auditors E+W+S

391 Removal of auditors. E+W+S

(1) A company may by ordinary resolution at any time remove an auditor from office, notwithstanding anything in any agreement between it and him.

(2) Where a resolution removing an auditor is passed at a general meeting of a company, the company shall within 14 days give notice of that fact in the prescribed form to the registrar.

If a company fails to give the notice required by this subsection, 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.

(3) Nothing in this section shall be taken as depriving a person removed under it of compensation or damages payable to him in respect of the termination of his appointment as auditor or of any appointment terminating with that as auditor.

(4) An auditor of a company who has been removed has, notwithstanding his removal, the rights conferred by section 390 in relation to any general meeting of the company—

(a) at which his term of office would otherwise have expired, or

(b) at which it is proposed to fill the vacancy caused by his removal.

In such a case the references in that section to matters concerning the auditors as auditors shall be construed as references to matters concerning him as a former auditor.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C55 Ss. 391–393 applied with modifications by S.I. 1985/680, regs. 4–6, Sch.

C56 S. 391 applied (with modifications) (6.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/1090, reg. 4, Sch. 2 Pt. I

[F99 391A Rights of auditors who are removed or not re-appointed. E+W+S

(1) Special notice is required for a resolution at a general meeting of a company—

(a) removing an auditor before the expiration of his term of office, or

(b) appointing as auditor a person other than a retiring auditor.

(2) On receipt of notice of such an intended resolution the company shall forthwith send a copy of it to the person proposed to be removed or, as the case may be, to the person proposed to be appointed and to the retiring auditor.

(3) The auditor proposed to be removed or (as the case may be) the retiring auditor may make with respect to the intended resolution representations in writing to the company (not exceeding a reasonable length) and request their notification to members of the company.

(4) The company shall (unless the representations are received by it too late for it to do so)—

(a) in any notice of the resolution given to members of the company, state the fact of the representations having been made, and

(b) send a copy of the representations to every member of the company to whom notice of the meeting is or has been sent.

(5) If a copy of any such representations is not sent out as required because received too late or because of the company’s default, the auditor may (without prejudice to his right to be heard orally) require that the representations be read out at the meeting.

(6) Copies of the representations need not be sent out and the representations need not be read at the meeting if, on the application either of the company or of any other person claiming to be aggrieved, the court is satisfied that the rights conferred by this section are being abused to secure needless publicity for defamatory matter; and the court may order the company’s costs on the application to be paid in whole or in part by the auditor, notwithstanding that he is not a party to the application.]

Textual Amendments

F99 New ss. 391–393 inserted (subject to the savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 1990/355, arts. 4, 10, Sch. 4) by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 118, 122 as part of the text inserted to replace Chapter V of Part XI (as mentioned in s. 118 of the 1989 Act)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C57 Ss. 391–393 applied with modifications by S.I. 1985/680, regs. 4–6, Sch.

C58 S. 391A applied (with modifications) (6.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/1090, reg. 4, Sch. 2 Pt. I

[F100 392 Resignation of auditors. E+W+S

(1) An auditor of a company may resign his office by depositing a notice in writing to that effect at the company’s registered office.

The notice is not effective unless it is accompanied by the statement required by section 394.

(2) An effective notice of resignation operates to bring the auditor’s term of office to an end as of the date on which the notice is deposited or on such later date as may be specified in it.

(3) The company shall within 14 days of the deposit of a notice of resignation send a copy of the notice to the registrar of companies.

If default is made in complying with this subsection, 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, a daily default fine.]

Textual Amendments

F100 New ss. 391–393 inserted (subject to the savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 1990/355, arts. 4, 10, Sch. 4) by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 118, 122 as part of the text inserted to replace Chapter V of Part XI (as mentioned in s. 118 of the 1989 Act)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C59 Ss. 391–393 applied with modifications by S.I. 1985/680, regs. 4–6, Sch.

C60 S. 392 applied (with modifications) (6.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/1090, reg. 4, Sch. 2 Pt. I

[F101 392A Rights of resigning auditors. E+W+S

(1) This section applies where an auditor’s notice of resignation is accompanied by a statement of circumstances which he considers should be brought to the attention of members or creditors of the company.

(2) He may deposit with the notice a signed requisition calling on the directors of the company forthwith duly to convene an extraordinary general meeting of the company for the purpose of receiving and considering such explanation of the circumstances connected with his resignation as he may wish to place before the meeting.

(3) He may request the company to circulate to its members—

(a) before the meeting convened on his requisition, or

(b) before any general meeting at which his term of office would otherwise have expired or at which it is proposed to fill the vacancy caused by his resignation,

a statement in writing (not exceeding a reasonable length) of the circumstances connected with his resignation.

(4) The company shall (unless the statement is received too late for it to comply)—

(a) in any notice of the meeting given to members of the company, state the fact of the statement having been made, and

(b) send a copy of the statement to every member of the company to whom notice of the meeting is or has been sent.

(5) If the directors do not within 21 days from the date of the deposit of a requisition under this section proceed duly to convene a meeting for a day not more than 28 days after the date on which the notice convening the meeting is given, every director who failed to take all reasonable steps to secure that a meeting was convened as mentioned above is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine.

(6) If a copy of the statement mentioned above is not sent out as required because received too late or because of the company’s default, the auditor may (without prejudice to his right to be heard orally) require that the statement be read out at the meeting.

(7) Copies of a statement need not be sent out and the statement need not be read out at the meeting if, on the application either of the company or of any other person who claims to be aggrieved, the court is satisfied that the rights conferred by this section are being abused to secure needless publicity for defamatory matter; and the court may order the company’s costs on such an application to be paid in whole or in part by the auditor, notwithstanding that he is not a party to the application.

(8) An auditor who has resigned has, notwithstanding his resignation, the rights conferred by section 390 in relation to any such general meeting of the company as is mentioned in subsection (3)(a) or (b).

In such a case the references in that section to matters concerning the auditors as auditors shall be construed as references to matters concerning him as a former auditor.]

Textual Amendments

F101 New ss. 391–393 inserted (subject to the savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 1990/355, arts. 4, 10, Sch. 4) by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 118, 122 as part of the text inserted to replace Chapter V of Part XI (as mentioned in s. 118 of the 1989 Act)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C61 Ss. 391–393 applied with modifications by S.I. 1985/680, regs. 4–6, Sch.

C62 S. 392A applied (with modifications) (6.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/1090, reg. 4, Sch. 2 Pt. I

393 Termination of appointment of auditors not appointed annually. E+W+S

F102 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F102 S. 393 repealed (1.10.2007) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1295, 1300, Sch. 16; S.I. 2007/2194, art. 8, Sch. 2 Pt. 1 (with art. 12)

[F103 394 Statement by person ceasing to hold office as auditor. E+W+S

(1) Where an auditor ceases for any reason to hold office, he shall deposit at the company’s registered office a statement of any circumstances connected with his ceasing to hold office which he considers should be brought to the attention of the members or creditors of the company or, if he considers that there are no such circumstances, a statement that there are none.

(2) In the case of resignation, the statement shall be deposited along with the notice of resignation; in the case of failure to seek re-appointment, the statement shall be deposited not less than 14 days before the end of the time allowed for next appointing auditors; in any other case, the statement shall be deposited not later than the end of the period of 14 days beginning with the date on which he ceases to hold office.

(3) If the statement is of circumstances which the auditor considers should be brought to the attention of the members or creditors of the company, the company shall within 14 days of the deposit of the statement either—

(a) send a copy of it to every person who under section 238 is entitled to be sent copies of the accounts, or

(b) apply to the court.

(4) The company shall if it applies to the court notify the auditor of the application.

(5) Unless the auditor receives notice of such an application before the end of the period of 21 days beginning with the day on which he deposited the statement, he shall within a further seven days send a copy of the statement to the registrar.

(6) If the court is satisfied that the auditor is using the statement to secure needless publicity for defamatory matter—

(a) it shall direct that copies of the statement need not be sent out, and

(b) it may further order the company’s costs on the application to be paid in whole or in part by the auditor, notwithstanding that he is not a party to the application;

and the company shall within 14 days of the court’s decision send to the persons mentioned in subsection (3)(a) a statement setting out the effect of the order.

(7) If the court is not so satisfied, the company shall within 14 days of the court’s decision—

(a) send copies of the statement to the persons mentioned in subsection (3)(a), and

(b) notify the auditor of the court’s decision;

and the auditor shall within seven days of receiving such notice send a copy of the statement to the registrar.]

Textual Amendments

F103 New ss. 394, 394A inserted (subject to the saving and transitional provisions in S.I. 1990/355, arts. 4, 10, Sch. 4) by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 118, 123(1), 213(2) as part of the text inserted to replace Chapter V of Part XI (as mentioned in s. 118 of the 1989 Act)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C63 S. 394 applied (with modifications) (6.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/1090, reg. 4, Sch. 2 Pt. I

[F104 394A Offences of failing to comply with s. 394. E+W+S

(1) If a person ceasing to hold office as auditor fails to comply with section 394 he is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine.

(2) In proceedings for an offence under subsection (1) it is a defence for the person charged to show that he took all reasonable steps and exercised all due diligence to avoid the commission of the offence.

(3) Sections 733 (liability of individuals for corporate default) and 734 (criminal proceedings against unincorporated bodies) apply to an offence under subsection (1).

(4) If a company makes default in complying with section 394, 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.]

Textual Amendments

F104 New ss. 394, 394A inserted (subject to the saving and transitional provisions in S.I. 1990/355, arts. 4, 10, Sch. 4) by Companies Act 1989 (c. 40, SIF 27), ss. 118, 123(1), 213(2) as part of the text inserted to replace Chapter V of Part XI (as mentioned in s. 118 of the 1989 Act)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C64 S. 394A applied (with modifications) (6.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/1090, reg. 4, Sch. 2 Pt. I