Companies Act 2006

[F1 [F2 CHAPTER 3 U.K. Register of people with significant control

Textual Amendments

F1 Pt. 21A Ch. 3 omitted (26.10.2023 for specified purposes, 4.3.2024 for specified purposes) by virtue of Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), s. 219(1)(2)(b), Sch. 2 para. 19; S.I. 2024/269, reg. 2(z10)

F2 Pt. 21A inserted (26.5.2015 for specified purposes, 6.4.2016 except for the insertion of ss. 790M(9)(c), 790W-790ZE and 30.6.2016 so far as not already in force) by Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 (c. 26), s. 164(1), Sch. 3 para. 1; S.I. 2015/1329, reg. 3(a); S.I. 2015/2029, regs. 4(a), 5(a)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Pt. 21A Ch. 3 (ss. 790M-790VA) applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2009/2436, Sch. 1 para. 12B (as inserted (26.6.2017) by The Information about People with Significant Control (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/693), reg. 33 (with Sch. Pt. 3))

790M Duty to keep register U.K.

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

(2) The required particulars of any individual with significant control over the company who is “registrable” in relation to the company must be entered in the register [F3 before the end of the period of 14 days beginning with the day after all the required particulars of that individual are first confirmed].

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

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

[F4 (5) The required particulars of any entity that is a registrable relevant legal entity in relation to the company must be entered in the register before the end of the period of 14 days beginning with the day after the company first has all the required particulars of that entity.]

(6) If the company becomes aware of a relevant change (within the meaning of section 790E) with respect to a registrable person F5 ... whose particulars are stated in the register [F6 , the company must enter in the register—

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

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

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

[F7 (6A) If the company becomes aware of a relevant change (within the meaning of section 790E) with respect to a registrable relevant legal entity whose particulars are stated in the register, the company must enter in the register—

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

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

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

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

[F8 (7A) If a company is required by regulations made under subsection (7) to note an additional matter in its PSC register, the company must note the additional matter before the end of the period of 14 days beginning with the day after the requirement arises.]

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

(9) A person's required particulars, [F9 a change to such particulars and the date of any relevant change with respect to a person], are considered for the purposes of this section to have been “confirmed” if—

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

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

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

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

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

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

(11) For the purposes of this section—

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

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

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

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

(a) the company, and

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

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

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

Textual Amendments

F3 Words in s. 790M(2) substituted (26.6.2017) by The Information about People with Significant Control (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/693), regs. 2, 8(2) (with Sch. Pt. 1)

F4 S. 790M(5) substituted (26.6.2017) by The Information about People with Significant Control (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/693), regs. 2, 8(3) (with Sch. Pt. 1)

F5 Words in s. 790M(6) omitted (26.6.2017) by virtue of The Information about People with Significant Control (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/693), regs. 2, 8(4)(a) (with Sch. Pt. 1)

F6 Words in s. 790M(6) substituted (26.6.2017) by The Information about People with Significant Control (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/693), regs. 2, 8(4)(b) (with Sch. Pt. 1)

F7 S. 790M(6A) inserted (26.6.2017) by The Information about People with Significant Control (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/693), regs. 2, 8(5) (with Sch. Pt. 1)

F8 S. 790M(7A) inserted (26.6.2017) by The Information about People with Significant Control (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/693), regs. 2, 8(6) (with Sch. Pt. 1)

F9 Words in s. 790M(9) substituted (26.6.2017) by The Information about People with Significant Control (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/693), regs. 2, 8(7) (with Sch. Pt. 1)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2 S. 790M: power to modify conferred (temp.) (26.6.2020) by Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 (c. 12), ss. 39(1), 40(e), 49(1) (with ss. 2(2), 5(2), 39(8)(9))

C3 S. 790M applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2009/1804, reg. 31E (as inserted (6.4.2016 except for the modification of s. 790M(9)(c) which is in force at 30.6.2016) by The Limited Liability Partnerships (Register of People with Significant Control) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/340), regs. 1(2)(a)(3), 3, Sch. 1)

C4 S. 790M amendment to earlier affecting provision S.I. 2009/1804, reg. 31E (26.6.2017) by The Information about People with Significant Control (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/693), regs. 2, 25 (with Sch. Pt. 2)

C5 S. 790M modified (temp.) (27.6.2020) by The Companies etc. (Filing Requirements) (Temporary Modifications) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/645), regs. 2, 13

C6 S. 790M(9)(c) modified (30.6.2016) by The European Public Limited-Liability Company (Register of People with Significant Control) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/375), regs. 1(2), 5 (as amended (31.12.2020) by The European Public Limited-Liability Company (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/1298), regs. 1, 90(b); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1))

C7 S. 790M(10) modified (30.6.2016) by The European Public Limited-Liability Company (Register of People with Significant Control) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/375), regs. 1(2), 6 (as amended (31.12.2020) by The European Public Limited-Liability Company (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/1298), regs. 1, 91; 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1))

790N Register to be kept available for inspection U.K.

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

(a) at its registered office, or

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

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

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

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

(a) the company, and

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

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

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C8 S. 790N: power to modify conferred (temp.) (26.6.2020) by Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 (c. 12), ss. 39(1), 40(e), 49(1) (with ss. 2(2), 5(2), 39(8)(9))

C9 S. 790N applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2009/1804, reg. 31F (as inserted (6.4.2016) by The Limited Liability Partnerships (Register of People with Significant Control) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/340), regs. 1(3), 3, Sch. 1)

C10 S. 790N restricted (temp.) (4.3.2024) by The Registered Office Address (Rectification of Register) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/233), regs. 1(2), 16; S.I. 2024/269, reg. 2(z42)

C11 S. 790N(4) modified (temp.) (27.6.2020) by The Companies etc. (Filing Requirements) (Temporary Modifications) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/645), regs. 2, 14

790O Rights to inspect and require copies U.K.

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

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

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

(4) The request must contain the following information—

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

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

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

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C12 S. 790O applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2009/1804, reg. 31F (as inserted (6.4.2016) by The Limited Liability Partnerships (Register of People with Significant Control) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/340), regs. 1(3), 3, Sch. 1)

790P PSC register: response to request for inspection or copy U.K.

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

(a) comply with the request, or

(b) apply to the court.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C13 Ss. 790P-790S applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2009/1804, reg. 31G (as inserted (6.4.2016) by The Limited Liability Partnerships (Register of People with Significant Control) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/340), regs. 1(3), 3, Sch. 1)

790Q PSC register: refusal of inspection or default in providing copy U.K.

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

(a) the company, and

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

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

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

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C13 Ss. 790P-790S applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2009/1804, reg. 31G (as inserted (6.4.2016) by The Limited Liability Partnerships (Register of People with Significant Control) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/340), regs. 1(3), 3, Sch. 1)

790R PSC register: offences in connection with request for or disclosure of information U.K.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(b) on summary conviction—

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

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

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

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C13 Ss. 790P-790S applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2009/1804, reg. 31G (as inserted (6.4.2016) by The Limited Liability Partnerships (Register of People with Significant Control) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/340), regs. 1(3), 3, Sch. 1)

790S Information as to state of register U.K.

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

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

(a) the company, and

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

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

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C13 Ss. 790P-790S applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2009/1804, reg. 31G (as inserted (6.4.2016) by The Limited Liability Partnerships (Register of People with Significant Control) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/340), regs. 1(3), 3, Sch. 1)

790T Protected information U.K.

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

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

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

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

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C14 S. 790T applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2009/1804, reg. 31H (as inserted (6.4.2016) by The Limited Liability Partnerships (Register of People with Significant Control) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/340), regs. 1(3), 3, Sch. 1)

790U Removal of entries from the register U.K.

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

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

790V Power of court to rectify register U.K.

(1) If—

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(a) any member of the company, and

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

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C15 S. 790V applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2009/1804, reg. 31J (as inserted (6.4.2016) by The Limited Liability Partnerships (Register of People with Significant Control) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/340), regs. 1(3), 3, Sch. 1)

[F10 790VA Notification of changes to the registrar U.K.

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

(a) enters required particulars in its PSC register,

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

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

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

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

(a) the company, and

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

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

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

Textual Amendments

F10 S. 790VA inserted (26.6.2017) by The Information about People with Significant Control (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/693), regs. 2, 9 (with Sch. Pt. 1)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C16 S. 790VA: power to modify conferred (temp.) (26.6.2020) by Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 (c. 12), ss. 39(1), 40(e), 49(1) (with ss. 2(2), 5(2), 39(8)(9))

C17 S. 790VA applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2009/1804, reg. 31JA (as inserted (26.6.2017) by The Information about People with Significant Control (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/693), reg. 26 (with Sch. Pt. 2))

C18 S. 790VA(2) modified (temp.) (27.6.2020) by The Companies etc. (Filing Requirements) (Temporary Modifications) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/645), regs. 2, 15