Part 41Business names
Chapter 1Restricted or prohibited names
Misleading names
I11197Name containing inappropriate indication of company type or legal form
1
The Secretary of State may make provision by regulations prohibiting a person from carrying on business in the United Kingdom under a name consisting of or containing specified words, expressions or other indications—
a
that are associated with a particular type of company or form of organisation, or
b
that are similar to words, expressions or other indications associated with a particular type of company or form of organisation.
2
The regulations may prohibit the use of words, expressions or other indications—
a
in a specified part, or otherwise than in a specified part, of a name;
b
in conjunction with, or otherwise than in conjunction with, such other words, expressions or indications as may be specified.
3
In this section “specified” means specified in the regulations.
4
Regulations under this section are subject to negative resolution procedure.
5
A person who uses a name in contravention of regulations under this section commits an offence.
6
Where an offence under this section is committed by a body corporate, an offence is also committed by every officer of the body who is in default.
7
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.
1198Name giving misleading indication of activities
1
A person must not carry on business in the United Kingdom under a name that gives so misleading an indication of the nature of the activities of the business as to be likely to cause harm to the public.
2
A person who uses a name in contravention of this section commits an offence.
3
Where an offence under this section is committed by a body corporate, an offence is also committed by every officer of the body who is in default.
4
A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale and, for continued contravention, a daily default fine not exceeding one-tenth of level 3 on the standard scale.