PART 1Companies etc

Company names

13Directions to change name: period for compliance

(1)

The Companies Act 2006 is amended as follows

(2)

In section 64 (power to direct change of name in case of company ceasing to be entitled to exemption), after subsection (2) insert—

“(2A)

The period must be a period of at least 28 days beginning with the date of the direction.

(2B)

The Secretary of State may by further direction in writing extend the period.

Any such direction must be given before the end of the period for the time being specified.”

(3)

In section 68 (direction to change name in case of similarity to existing name: supplementary provisions), after subsection (2) insert—

“(2A)

The period must be a period of at least 28 days beginning with the date of the direction.”

(4)

In section 75 (provision of misleading information etc), after subsection (2) insert—

“(2A)

The period must be at least 28 days beginning with the date of the direction.”

(5)

In section 76 (misleading indication of activities)—

(a)

for subsections (2) and (3) substitute—

“(2)

The direction must be in writing and must specify the period within which the company is to change its name.

(3)

The period must be a period of at least 28 days beginning with the date of the direction.

(3A)

The Secretary of State may by further direction in writing extend the period.

Any such direction must be given before the end of the period for the time being specified.”;

(b)

for subsection (4) substitute—

“(4)

A company may apply to the court to set aside a direction under subsection (1).

(4A)

Any application under subsection (4) must be made within the period of three weeks beginning with the date of the direction.”

(c)

after subsection (5) insert—

“(5A)

If a company applies to the court under subsection (4) to set aside a direction, it is not required to comply with the direction while the proceedings are ongoing.”;

(d)

in subsection (6), for “this section” substitute “subsection (1)”.