Companies Act 2006

7 (1) This paragraph explains what is meant in paragraph 6(1)(b) by a firm being “controlled by qualified persons”. U.K.

(2) In this paragraph references to a person being qualified are—

[F1 (a) in relation to an individual, to that individual's—

(i) holding an appropriate qualification, or

(ii) being a third country auditor and meeting the requirements of paragraph 6(1)(aa)(ii) or 6(1A);]

(b) in relation to a firm, to its—

(i) being eligible for appointment as a statutory auditor, F2 ...

F2 (ii) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) A firm is to be treated as controlled by qualified persons if, and only if—

(a) a majority of the members of the firm are qualified persons, and

(b) where the firm's affairs are managed by a board of directors, committee or other management body, a majority of that body are qualified persons or, if the body consists of two persons only, at least one of them is a qualified person.

(4) A majority of the members of a firm means—

(a) where under the firm's constitution matters are decided upon by the exercise of voting rights, members holding a majority of the rights to vote on all, or substantially all, matters;

(b) in any other case, members having such rights under the constitution of the firm as enable them to direct its overall policy or alter its constitution.

(5) A majority of the members of the management body of a firm means—

(a) where matters are decided at meetings of the management body by the exercise of voting rights, members holding a majority of the rights to vote on all, or substantially all, matters at such meetings;

(b) in any other case, members having such rights under the constitution of the firm as enable them to direct its overall policy or alter its constitution.

(6) Paragraphs 5 to 11 of Schedule 7 to this Act (rights to be taken into account and attribution of rights) apply for the purposes of this paragraph.

Textual Amendments

F1 Sch. 10 para. 7(2)(a) substituted (31.12.2020) by S.I. 2019/177, regs. 2, 29(a) (as substituted by The Companies and Statutory Auditors etc. (Consequential Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/523), regs. 1(2), 14(f)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F2 Sch. 10 para. 7(2)(b)(ii) and word omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of S.I. 2019/177, regs. 2, 29(b) (as substituted by The Companies and Statutory Auditors etc. (Consequential Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/523), regs. 1(2), 14(f)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1); and (E.W.) (1.1.2021) by virtue of The Local Audit (England and Wales) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/504), regs. 1(3), 2