C1Part 41Business names
Chapter 1Restricted or prohibited names
Sensitive words or expressions
I11193Name suggesting connection with government or public authority
1
A person must not, without the approval of the Secretary of State, carry on business in the United Kingdom under a name that would be likely to give the impression that the business is connected with—
a
Her Majesty's Government, any part of the Scottish administration F1, the Welsh Assembly Government or Her Majesty's Government in Northern Ireland,
b
any local authority, or
c
any public authority specified for the purposes of this section by regulations made by the Secretary of State.
2
For the purposes of this section—
“local authority” means—
- a
a local authority within the meaning of the Local Government Act 1972 (c. 70), the Common Council of the City of London or the Council of the Isles of Scilly,
- b
a council constituted under section 2 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994 (c. 39), or
- c
a district council in Northern Ireland;
- a
“public authority” includes any person or body having functions of a public nature.
3
Regulations under this section are subject to affirmative resolution procedure.
4
A person who contravenes this section commits an offence.
5
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.
6
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.
Pt. 41 applied (8.12.2017) by The Risk Transformation Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/1212), regs. 1(2), 12(8) (with reg. 189)