The Overseas Companies Regulations 2009

PART 1 INTRODUCTION

Citation and commencement

1.—(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Overseas Companies Regulations 2009.

(2) These Regulations come into force on 1st October 2009.

Interpretation

2.  In these Regulations—

• “accounting documents”—

  (a)

  in relation to an overseas company to which Chapter 2 of Part 5 applies (companies required to prepare and disclose accounts under parent law), has the meaning given by regulation 31(2), and

  (b)

  in relation to a credit or financial institution to which Chapter 2 of Part 6 applies (institutions required to prepare accounts under parent law), has the meaning given by regulation 44(2);

• “certified copy” means a copy certified as a correct copy;

• “constitution”, in relation to an overseas company, means the charter, statutes, memorandum and articles of association or other instrument constituting or defining the company's constitution;

• “credit or financial institution” means a credit or financial institution to which section 1050 of the Companies Act 2006 applies;

• “disclosure”, in relation to a credit or financial institution to which Chapter 2 of Part 6 applies, has the meaning given by regulation 44(2);

• “establishment” means—

  (a)

  a branch within the meaning of the Eleventh Company Law Directive (89/666/EEC) M1 , or

  (b)

  a place of business that is not such a branch,

  and “UK establishment” means an establishment in the United Kingdom;

• “financial period”—

  (a)

  in relation to an overseas company to which Chapter 2 of Part 5 applies (companies required to prepare and disclose accounts under parent law), has the meaning given by regulation 31(2), and

  (b)

  in relation to a credit or financial institution to which Chapter 2 of Part 6 applies (institutions required to prepare accounts under parent law), has the meaning given by regulation 44(2);

• F1 ...

• “former name”, in the case of an individual, means a name by which the individual was formerly known for business purposes;

• “name”, in the case of an individual, means the person's Christian name (or other forename) and surname, except that in the case of—

  (a)

  a peer, or

  (b)

  an individual usually known by a title,

  the title may be stated instead of the individual's Christian name (or other forename) and surname or in addition to either or both of them; and

• “parent law”—

  (a)

  in relation to an overseas company to which Chapter 2 of Part 5 applies (companies required to prepare and disclose accounts under parent law), has the meaning given by regulation 31(2), and

  (b)

  in relation to a credit or financial institution to which Chapter 2 of Part 6 applies (institutions required to prepare accounts under parent law), has the meaning given by regulation 44(2).

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in reg. 2 omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Companies, Limited Liability Partnerships and Partnerships (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/348), reg. 2, Sch. 2 para. 4; 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Marginal Citations

M1 OJ L 395, 30.12.1989, p. 36.

PART 2 INITIAL REGISTRATION OF PARTICULARS

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Pt. 2 modified (31.12.2020) by The Companies, Limited Liability Partnerships and Partnerships (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/348), reg. 2, Sch. 4 para. 4; 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Application and interpretation of Part

3.—(1) This Part applies to an overseas company that opens a UK establishment.

(2) In this Part—

“director” includes shadow director; and

“secretary” includes any person occupying the position of secretary by whatever name called.

Duty to deliver return and documents

4.—(1) The company must within one month of having opened a UK establishment—

(a) deliver to the registrar a return complying with the requirements of this Part, and

(b) deliver with the return the documents required by this Part.

(2) These requirements apply each time a company opens an establishment in the United Kingdom.

Particulars to be included in return

5.—(1) The return must contain—

(a) the particulars specified in regulation 6 (particulars of the company), and

(b) the particulars specified in regulation 7 (particulars of the establishment).

(2) If at the time the return is delivered the company—

(a) has another UK establishment,

(b) has delivered a return in respect of that establishment containing the particulars specified in regulation 6, and

(c) has no outstanding obligation under Part 3 in respect of an alteration to those particulars,

the company may instead state in the return that those particulars are included in the particulars delivered in respect of another UK establishment (giving the registered number of that establishment).

Particulars of the company

6.—(1) The particulars of the company to be included in the return are—

(a) the company's name,

(b) the company's legal form,

(c) if it is registered in the country of its incorporation, the identity of the register in which it is registered and the number with which it is so registered,

(d) a list of its directors and secretary, containing—

(i) with respect to each director, the particulars specified in paragraph (3), and

(ii) with respect to the secretary (or where there are joint secretaries, with respect to each of them) the particulars specified in paragraph (4),

(e) the extent of the powers of the directors or secretary to represent the company in dealings with third parties and in legal proceedings, together with a statement as to whether they may act alone or must act jointly and, if jointly, the name of any other person concerned, F2 ...

(f) whether the company is a credit or financial institution.

[F3 (g) the law under which the company is incorporated,

(h) in the case of a company to which Chapter 2 of Part 5 or Chapter 2 of Part 6 applies (requirements to prepare and disclose accounts under parent law), the period for which the company is required by its parent law to prepare accounts, together with the period allowed for the preparation and public disclosure (if any) of accounts for such a period, and

(i) unless disclosed by the company's constitution (see regulation 8)—

(i) the address of its principal place of business in its country of incorporation or, if applicable, its registered office,

(ii) its objects, and

(iii) the amount of its issued share capital.]

F4 (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) The particulars referred to in paragraph (1)(d)(i) (directors) are—

(a) in the case of an individual—

(i) name,

(ii) any former name,

(iii) a service address,

(iv) usual residential address,

(v) the country or state in which the individual is usually resident,

(vi) nationality,

(vii) business occupation (if any), and

(viii) date of birth;

(b) in the case of a body corporate, or a firm that is a legal person under the law by which it is governed—

(i) corporate or firm name,

(ii) registered or principal office,

F5 (iii) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(iv) F6 ..., particulars of—

(aa) the legal form of the company or firm and the law by which it is governed, and

(bb) if applicable, the register in which it is entered (including details of the state) and its registration number in that register.

(4) The particulars referred to in paragraph (1)(d)(ii) (secretary) are—

(a) in the case of an individual—

(i) name,

(ii) any former name, and

(iii) a service address;

(b) in the case of a body corporate, or a firm that is a legal person under the law by which it is governed—

(i) corporate or firm name,

(ii) registered or principal office,

F7 (iii) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(iv) F8 ..., particulars of—

(aa) the legal form of the company or firm and the law by which it is governed, and

(bb) if applicable, the register in which it is entered (including details of the state) and its registration number in that register.

But if all the partners in a firm are joint secretaries of the company it is sufficient to state the particulars that would be required if the firm were a legal person and the firm had been appointed secretary.

(5) For the purposes of paragraphs (3)(a)(ii) and (4)(a)(ii), where a person is or was formerly known by more than one former name, each of them must be stated.

(6) It is not necessary to include in the return particulars of a former name in the following cases—

(a) in the case of a peer or an individual normally known by a title, where the name is one by which the person was known previous to the adoption of or succession to the title,

(b) in the case of any person, where the former name—

(i) was changed or disused before the person attained the age of 16 years, or

(ii) has been changed or disused for 20 years or more.

(7) For the purposes of paragraph (3)(a)(iv) if the person's usual residential address is the same as the person's service address the return need only contain a statement to that effect.

Textual Amendments

F2 Word in reg. 6(1)(e) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Companies, Limited Liability Partnerships and Partnerships (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/348), reg. 2, Sch. 2 para. 5(a); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F3 Reg. 6(1)(g)-(i) inserted (31.12.2020) by The Companies, Limited Liability Partnerships and Partnerships (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/348), reg. 2, Sch. 2 para. 5(b); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F4 Reg. 6(2) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Companies, Limited Liability Partnerships and Partnerships (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/348), reg. 2, Sch. 2 para. 5(c); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F5 Reg. 6(3)(b)(iii) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Companies, Limited Liability Partnerships and Partnerships (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/348), reg. 2, Sch. 2 para. 5(d); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F6 Words in reg. 6(3)(b)(iv) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Companies, Limited Liability Partnerships and Partnerships (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/348), reg. 2, Sch. 2 para. 5(e); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F7 Reg. 6(4)(b)(iii) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Companies, Limited Liability Partnerships and Partnerships (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/348), reg. 2, Sch. 2 para. 5(f); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F8 Words in reg. 6(4)(b)(iv) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Companies, Limited Liability Partnerships and Partnerships (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/348), reg. 2, Sch. 2 para. 5(g); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Particulars of the establishment

7.—(1) The particulars of the establishment to be included in the return are—

(a) address of the establishment,

(b) date on which it was opened,

(c) business carried on at it,

(d) name of the establishment if different from the name of the company,

(e) name and service address of every person resident in the United Kingdom authorised to accept service of documents on behalf of the company in respect of the establishment, or a statement that there is no such person,

(f) a list of every person authorised to represent the company as a permanent representative of the company in respect of the establishment, containing the following particulars with respect to each such person—

(i) name,

(ii) any former name,

(iii) service address, and

(iv) usual residential address,

(g) extent of the authority of any person falling within sub-paragraph (f), including whether that person is authorised to act alone or jointly, and

(h) if a person falling within sub-paragraph (f) is not authorised to act alone, the name of any person with whom they are authorised to act.

(2) For the purpose of paragraph (1)(f)(iv) if the person's usual residential address is the same as the person's service address the return need only contain a statement to that effect.

Documents to be delivered with the return: copy of company's constitution

8.—(1) A certified copy of the company's constitution must be delivered to the registrar with the return.

(2) If at the time the return is delivered the company—

(a) has another UK establishment,

(b) has delivered a certified copy of the company's constitution with a return relating to that establishment, and

(c) has no outstanding obligation under Part 3 in respect of an alteration to its constitution,

the company may instead state in the return that a certified copy of the company's constitution has been delivered in respect of another UK establishment (giving the registered number of that establishment).

Documents to be delivered with the return: copies of accounting documents

9.—(1) If the company is one to which Chapter 2 of Part 5 applies (companies required to prepare and disclose accounts under parent law), copies of the company's latest accounting documents must be delivered to the registrar with the return.

(2) The company's latest accounting documents means the accounting documents, prepared for a financial period of the company, last disclosed in accordance with its parent law before the end of the period allowed for delivery of the return or, if earlier, the date on which the company delivers the return.

(3) If at the time the return is delivered the company—

(a) has another UK establishment, and

(b) has delivered the documents required by paragraph (1) in connection with a return relating to that establishment,

the company may instead state in the return that the documents are included in the material delivered in respect of another UK establishment (giving the registered number of that establishment).

Statement as to future manner of compliance with accounting requirements

10.—(1) If the company is one to which Part 5 applies (delivery of accounting documents: general), the return must state—

(a) in the case of a company to which Chapter 2 of that Part applies (companies required to file copies of accounting documents disclosed under parent law), whether it is intended to file copies of accounting documents in accordance with the provisions of that Chapter in respect of the establishment to which the return relates or in respect of another UK establishment;

(b) in the case of a company to which Chapter 3 of that Part applies (companies required to file accounts under UK law), whether it is intended to file accounts in accordance with the provisions of that Chapter in respect of the establishment to which the return relates or in respect of another UK establishment.

(2) If the return states that it is intended to file copies of accounting documents, or accounts, in respect of another UK establishment, it must give the registered number of that establishment.

Penalty for non-compliance

11.—(1) If a company fails to comply with any of the requirements of this Part, an offence is committed by—

(a) the company, and

(b) every officer or agent of the company who knowingly and wilfully authorises or permits the default.

(2) A person guilty of an offence under paragraph (1) is liable on summary conviction to—

(a) a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale, and

(b) for continued contravention, a daily default fine not exceeding one-tenth of level 3 on the standard scale.

PART 3 ALTERATION IN REGISTERED PARTICULARS

Application of Part

12.  This Part applies to an overseas company that—

(a) has complied with Part 2 (initial registration of particulars) in respect of one or more UK establishments, and

(b) has not subsequently given notice under regulation 77 (notice of closure of UK establishment) in respect of all those establishments.

Return of alteration in registered particulars

13.—(1) If an alteration is made in any of the particulars delivered under—

(a) regulation 6 (particulars of the company), or

(b) regulation 7 (particulars of the establishment),

the company must deliver to the registrar a return containing details of the alteration.

(2) Where a company has more than one UK establishment a return is required in respect of each UK establishment to which the alteration relates; but a return giving the registered numbers of more than one UK establishment is treated as a return in respect of each of them.

(3) An alteration in any of the particulars specified in regulation 6 (particulars of the company) is treated as relating to every UK establishment of the company.

(4) The details required of the alteration are—

(a) the particular that has been altered,

(b) details of the particular as altered, and

(c) the date on which the alteration was made.

(5) The return must also state—

(a) the company's name,

(b) the company's registered number, and

(c) the name (if different from the company's name) and registered number of each UK establishment to which the return relates.

(6) The period allowed for delivery of the return is—

(a) in the case of an alteration of any of the particulars specified in regulation 6 (particulars of the company), 21 days after the date on which notice of the alteration in question could have been received in the United Kingdom in due course of post (if despatched with due diligence);

(b) in the case of an alteration of any of the particulars specified in regulation 7 (particulars of the establishment), 21 days after the alteration is made.

Return of alteration in company's constitution

14.—(1) If any alteration is made in the company's constitution the company must deliver to the registrar a return stating—

(a) that an alteration has been made to the company's constitution, and

(b) the date on which the alteration was made.

(2) The return must be accompanied by a certified copy of the constitution as altered.

(3) Where a company has more than one UK establishment a return is required in respect of each UK establishment to which the alteration relates; but a return giving the registered numbers of more than one UK establishment is treated as a return in respect of each of them.

(4) An alteration in the company's constitution is treated as relating to a UK establishment only if a copy of the constitution is included in the material registered in respect of that establishment.

(5) The return must also state—

(a) the company's name,

(b) the company's registered number, and

(c) the name (if different from the company's name) and registered number of each UK establishment to which the return relates.

(6) The period allowed for delivery of the return is 21 days after the date on which notice of the alteration in question could have been received in the United Kingdom in due course of post (if despatched with due diligence).

Return of alteration as regards filing of certified copy of constitution

15.—(1) This regulation applies where—

(a) the company's return under Part 2 in respect of an establishment states that a certified copy of the company's constitution has been delivered in respect of another UK establishment, and

(b) that statement ceases to be true.

(2) The company must deliver to the registrar a further return in respect of the first-mentioned establishment—

(a) stating that the previous statement has ceased to be true, and

(b) either—

(i) accompanied by a certified copy of the company's constitution, or

(ii) stating that a copy of the company's constitution is included in the material delivered in respect of another UK establishment (giving the registered number of that establishment).

(3) Where the company has more than one UK establishment a return giving the registered numbers of more than one UK establishment is treated as a return in respect of each of them.

(4) The return must also state—

(a) the company's name,

(b) the company's registered number, and

(c) the name (if different from the company's name) and registered number of each UK establishment to which the return relates.

(5) The period allowed for delivery of the return is 21 days after the date on which notice of the fact that the statement in the earlier return has ceased to be true could have been received in the United Kingdom in due course of post (if despatched with due diligence).

(6) Where, after a company has made a return under this regulation, the statement mentioned in paragraph (2)(b)(ii) ceases to be true, paragraphs (2) to (5) (and this paragraph) apply again.

Return of alteration of manner of compliance with accounting requirements

16.—(1) This regulation applies where—

(a) the company's return under Part 2 in respect of a UK establishment states an intention as to whether accounting documents, or accounts, are to be filed in accordance with the provisions of that Part in respect of that establishment or in respect of another UK establishment, and

(b) that intention changes.

(2) The company must deliver to the registrar a further return in respect of the first-mentioned establishment stating—

(a) that the intention has changed, and

(b) either—

(i) that it is intended to file accounting documents, or accounts, in respect of the establishment to which the return relates, or

(ii) that it is intended to file accounting documents, or accounts, in respect of another UK establishment (giving the registered number of that establishment).

(3) Where the company has more than one UK establishment a return giving the registered numbers of more than one UK establishment is treated as a return in respect of each of them.

(4) The return must also state—

(a) the company's name,

(b) the company's registered number, and

(c) the name (if different from the company's name) and registered number of each UK establishment to which the return relates.

(5) The period allowed for delivery of the return is 21 days after the date on which notice of the fact that the intention stated in the earlier return has changed could have been received in the United Kingdom in due course of post (if despatched with due diligence).

(6) Where, after a company has made a return under this regulation, the intention stated in accordance with paragraph (2)(b)(i) or (ii) changes again, paragraphs (2) to (5) (and this paragraph) apply again.

Penalty for non-compliance

17.—(1) If a company fails to comply with any of the requirements of this Part within the period allowed, an offence is committed by—

(a) the company, and

(b) every officer or agent of the company who knowingly and wilfully authorises or permits the default.

(2) A person guilty of an offence under paragraph (1) is liable on summary conviction to—

(a) a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale, and

(b) for continued contravention, a daily default fine not exceeding one-tenth of level 3 on the standard scale.

PART 4 USUAL RESIDENTIAL ADDRESSES: PROTECTION FROM DISCLOSURE

Application and interpretation of Part

18.—(1) This Part applies to an overseas company that has one or more UK establishments in respect of which it has registered particulars under Part 2.

(2) In this Part—

“credit reference agency” means a person carrying on a business comprising the furnishing of information relevant to the financial standing of individuals, being information collected by the agency for that purpose;

“director” means a director of a company who is an individual and whose particulars have been delivered to the registrar under regulation 6(1)(d)(i);

“limited liability partnership” means a limited liability partnership incorporated under the Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2000 M2 or Limited Liability Partnerships Act (Northern Ireland) 2002 M3 ;

“permanent representative” means a permanent representative of a company whose particulars have been delivered to the registrar under regulation 7(1)(f);

“police force” means a police force within the meaning of section 101(1) of the Police Act 1996 M4 (interpretation), section 50 of the Police (Scotland) Act 1967 M5 (meaning of police area, etc) or section 1 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000 M6 (name of the police in Northern Ireland); and

F9 ...

Textual Amendments

F9 Words in reg. 18(2) omitted (21.3.2024) by virtue of The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (Consequential, Supplementary and Incidental Provisions) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/410), reg. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 4(2)

Marginal Citations

M2 2000 c.12.

M3 2002 c.12 (N.I.).

M4 1996 c.16.

M5 1967 c.77.

M6 2000 c.32.

Protected information

19.—(1) This Part makes provision for protecting, in the case of a director or permanent representative of a company to which this Part applies—

(a) information as to their usual residential address;

(b) the information that their service address is their usual residential address.

(2) That information is referred to in this Part as “protected information”.

(3) Information does not cease to be protected information on the person ceasing to be a director or permanent representative and references in this Part to a director or permanent representative include, to that extent, a person who was formerly a director or permanent representative.

Protected information: restriction on use or disclosure by company

20.—(1) A company to which this Part applies must not use or disclose protected information about a director or permanent representative, except—

(a) for communicating with the individual concerned,

(b) in order to comply with any requirement in these Regulations as to particulars to be sent to the registrar, or

(c) in accordance with regulation 26 (disclosure under court order).

(2) Paragraph (1) does not prohibit the use or disclosure of protected information with the consent of the director or permanent representative.

Protected information: restriction on F10 ... disclosure by registrar

21.—(1) The registrar must omit protected information from the material on the register that is available for inspection where—

(a) it is contained in a document delivered to the registrar in which such information is required to be stated, and

(b) in the case of a document having more than one part, it is contained in a part of the document in which such information is required to be stated.

(2) The registrar is not obliged—

(a) to check other documents or (as the case may be) other parts of the document to ensure the absence of protected information, or

(b) to omit from the material that is available for public inspection anything registered before 1st October 2009.

(3) [F11 The registrar must not disclose] protected information except—

[F12 (a) as permitted by regulation 24 (permitted disclosure by registrar: disclosure to credit reference agency),]

(b) in accordance with regulation 26 (disclosure under court order) [F13 , or]

[F14 (c) in accordance with section 1110F (disclosure by the registrar) of the Companies Act 2006.]

Textual Amendments

F10 Words in reg. 21 heading omitted (21.3.2024) by virtue of The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (Consequential, Supplementary and Incidental Provisions) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/410), reg. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 4(3)(a)

F11 Words in reg. 21(3) substituted (21.3.2024) by The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (Consequential, Supplementary and Incidental Provisions) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/410), reg. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 4(3)(b)(i)

F12 Reg. 21(3)(a) substituted (21.3.2024) by The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (Consequential, Supplementary and Incidental Provisions) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/410), reg. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 4(3)(b)(ii)

F13 Word in reg. 21(3)(b) substituted for full stop (21.3.2024) by The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (Consequential, Supplementary and Incidental Provisions) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/410), reg. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 4(3)(b)(iii)

F14 Reg. 21(3)(c) inserted (21.3.2024) by The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (Consequential, Supplementary and Incidental Provisions) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/410), reg. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 4(3)(b)(iv)

Permitted use of protected information by the registrar: communication

F15 22.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F15 Reg. 22 omitted (21.3.2024) by virtue of The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (Consequential, Supplementary and Incidental Provisions) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/410), reg. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 4(4)

Permitted disclosure by the registrar: disclosure to specified public authority

F16 23.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F16 Reg. 23 omitted (21.3.2024) by virtue of The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (Consequential, Supplementary and Incidental Provisions) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/410), reg. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 4(5)

Permitted disclosure by the registrar: disclosure to credit reference agency

24.—(1) Subject to regulation 25, the registrar may disclose protected information to a credit reference agency where the conditions set out in Part 2 of Schedule 2 are satisfied.

(2) The registrar may rely on a statement delivered by a credit reference agency under paragraph 10 of Schedule 2 as sufficient evidence of the matters stated in it.

(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (2), a credit reference agency shall deliver to the registrar such information or evidence in addition to the statement required by paragraph 10 of Schedule 2 as the registrar may direct for the purpose of enabling the registrar to determine in accordance with these Regulations whether to disclose protected information.

(4) The registrar may require such information or evidence to be verified in such manner as the registrar may direct.

(5) The credit reference agency must inform the registrar immediately of any change in respect of any statement delivered to the registrar pursuant to Schedule 2 or information or evidence provided for the purpose of enabling the registrar to determine whether to disclose protected information.

Application to prevent disclosure to credit reference agency

25.—(1) An application may be made to the registrar to prevent the disclosure to a credit reference agency of protected information relating to a director or permanent representative (an “application for higher protection”).

(2) An application for higher protection shall be made and determined in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 3.

(3) The registrar shall refrain from disclosing to a credit reference agency protected information relating to—

(a) an individual in respect of whom a successful application for higher protection has been made, or

(b) an individual in respect of whom an application for higher protection has been made where—

(i) the registrar has not made a determination, or

(ii) the registrar has made a determination rejecting the application and an appeal against that determination has been brought but has not been determined;

(c) an individual in relation to whom an order was in force under section 723B of the Companies Act 1985 M7 (confidentiality orders) immediately before 1st October 2009 and who, by virtue of paragraph 21 of Schedule 8 (transitional provisions and savings: individuals with a confidentiality order) is to be treated as having made a successful application for higher protection.

Marginal Citations

M7 1985 c.6. Section 723B was inserted by section 45 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 (c.16).

Disclosure under court order

26.—(1) The court may make an order for the disclosure of protected information by the company or by the registrar if—

(a) there is evidence that service of documents at a service address other than the director or permanent representative's usual residential address is not effective to bring them to the notice of that individual, or

(b) it is necessary or expedient for the information to be provided in connection with the enforcement of an order or decree of the court,

and the court is otherwise satisfied that it is appropriate to make the order.

(2) An order for disclosure by the registrar is to be made only if the company—

(a) does not have the director or permanent representative's usual residential address,

(b) no longer has a UK establishment and has given notice of that fact under regulation 77, or

(c) has been dissolved.

(3) The order may be made on the application of a liquidator, creditor or member of the company, or any other person appearing to the court to have a sufficient interest.

(4) The order must specify the persons to whom, and purposes for which, disclosure is authorised.

Circumstances in which registrar may put address on the public record

27.—(1) The registrar may put a director's or permanent representative's usual residential address on the public record if—

(a) communications sent by the registrar to that individual and requiring a response within a specified period of time remain unanswered, or

(b) there is evidence that service of documents at a service address provided in place of their usual residential address is not effective to bring them to the notice of the director or permanent representative.

(2) The registrar must give notice of the proposal—

(a) to the director or permanent representative, and

(b) to the company.

(3) The notice must—

(a) state the grounds on which it is proposed to put the director's or permanent representative's usual residential address on the public record, and

(b) specify a period within which representations may be made before that is done.

(4) The notice must be sent to the director or permanent representative at their usual residential address, unless it appears to the registrar that service at that address may be ineffective to bring it to their notice, in which case it may be sent to any service address provided in place of that address.

(5) The registrar must take account of any representations received within the specified period.

(6) What is meant by putting the address on the public record is explained in regulation 28.

Putting the address on the public record

28.—(1) The registrar, on deciding in accordance with regulation 27 that a director's or permanent representative's usual residential address is to be put on the public record, shall proceed as if a return containing altered particulars had been given under Part 3—

(a) stating that address as the director's or permanent representative's service address, and

(b) stating that their usual residential address is the same as their service address.

(2) The registrar must give notice of having done so—

(a) to the director or permanent representative, and

(b) to the company.

(3) If the company has been notified by the director or permanent representative of a more recent address as their usual residential address, it must notify the registrar in accordance with regulation 13 (return of alteration in registered particulars).

(4) A director or permanent representative whose usual residential address has been put on the public record by the registrar under this regulation may not register a service address other than their usual residential address for a period of five years from the date of the registrar's decision.

Penalty for non-compliance

29.—(1) If a company fails to comply with regulation 28(3) 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 paragraph (1) is liable on summary conviction to—

(a) a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, and

(b) for continued contravention, a daily default fine not exceeding [F17 one tenth of level 5 on the standard scale] [F17 one-tenth of the greater of £5,000 or level 4 on the standard scale].

Textual Amendments

F17 Words in reg. 29(2)(b) substituted (E.W.) (12.3.2015) by The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (Fines on Summary Conviction) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/664), reg. 1(1), Sch. 3 para. 13(2) (with reg. 5(1))

PART 5 DELIVERY OF ACCOUNTING DOCUMENTS: GENERAL

CHAPTER 1 Introductory provisions

Application of Part

30.  This Part applies to every overseas company that has an establishment in the United Kingdom and is not—

(a) a credit or financial institution (as to which, see Part 6), or

(b) a company whose constitution does not limit the liability of its members.

CHAPTER 2 Companies required to prepare and disclose accounts under parent law

Application and interpretation of Chapter

31.—(1) This Chapter applies to an overseas company to which this Part applies that—

(a) is required by its parent law to prepare, have audited and disclose accounts, F18 ...

F18 (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2) In relation to a company to which this Chapter applies—

“accounting documents”, in relation to a financial period of the company, means—

(a)

the accounts of the company for the period, including if it has one or more subsidiaries, any consolidated accounts of the group,

(b)

any annual report of the directors for the period,

(c)

any report of the auditors on the accounts mentioned in sub-paragraph (a), and

(d)

any report of the auditors on the report mentioned in sub-paragraph (b),

and for this purpose “subsidiaries” and “consolidated group accounts” have the meaning given to them by the company's parent law;

“financial period” means a period for which the company is required or permitted by its parent law to prepare accounts;

“parent law”, in relation to a company, means the law of the country in which the company is incorporated; and references to disclose or disclosure are to public disclosure.

Textual Amendments

F18 Reg. 31(1)(b) and word omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Accounts and Reports (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/145), reg. 1(2)(c), Sch. 3 para. 24; 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Duty to file copies of accounting documents disclosed under parent law

32.—(1) The directors of a company to which this Chapter applies must deliver to the registrar a copy of all the accounting documents prepared in relation to a financial period of the company that are disclosed in accordance with its parent law.

(2) Where the company's parent law permits it to discharge its obligation with respect to the disclosure of accounting documents by disclosing documents in a modified form, the directors may discharge their obligation under paragraph (1) by delivering a copy of documents modified as permitted by that law.

F19 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4) This regulation does not apply in relation to copies of accounting documents disclosed under the company's parent law before—

(a) the date on which the company first delivered a return under Part 2 (initial registration of particulars) in respect of a UK establishment, or

(b) if earlier, the last day of the period allowed for delivery of a return under that Part in respect of its first UK establishment.

(5) The directors required by this regulation to deliver copies of accounting documents must deliver them in respect of each UK establishment that the company has at the end of the financial period to which the documents relate, subject as follows.

(6) Paragraph (5) does not require the delivery of copies of accounting documents in respect of an establishment if—

(a) a return in respect of that establishment has stated the intention to file copies of accounting documents in respect of another UK establishment (giving the registered number of that establishment), and

(b) copies of the accounting documents are delivered in respect of that establishment before the end of the period allowed for doing so.

Textual Amendments

F19 Reg. 32(3) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Accounts and Reports (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/145), reg. 1(2)(c), Sch. 3 para. 25; 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Statement of details of parent law and other information

33.—(1) The accounting documents delivered to the registrar under regulation 32 must be accompanied by a statement containing the following information.

(2) The information required is—

(a) the legislation under which the accounts have been prepared and F20 ... audited,

(b) whether those accounts have been prepared in accordance with a set of generally accepted accounting principles and, if so, the name of the organisation or other body which issued those principles, [F21 and]

F22 (c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F23 (d) whether those accounts have been audited in accordance with a set of generally accepted auditing standards and, if so, the name of the organisation or other body which issued those standards.]

F24 (e) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F20 Words in reg. 33(2)(a) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Accounts and Reports (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/145), reg. 1(2)(c), Sch. 3 para. 26(a); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F21 Word in reg. 33(2)(b) inserted (31.12.2020) by The Accounts and Reports (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/145), reg. 1(2)(c), Sch. 3 para. 26(b); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F22 Reg. 33(2)(c) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Accounts and Reports (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/145), reg. 1(2)(c), Sch. 3 para. 26(c); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F23 Reg. 33(2)(d) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Accounts and Reports (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/145), reg. 1(2)(c), Sch. 3 para. 26(d); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F24 Reg. 33(2)(e) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Accounts and Reports (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/145), reg. 1(2)(c), Sch. 3 para. 26(e); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Period allowed for filing copies of accounting documents

34.  The period allowed for delivery, in relation to a copy of a document required to be delivered under regulation 32, is three months from the date on which the document is required to be disclosed in accordance with the company's parent law.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2 Reg. 34 modified (temp.) (27.6.2020) by The Companies etc. (Filing Requirements) (Temporary Modifications) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/645), regs. 2, 41(2)(4) (with reg. 41(5))

Penalty for non-compliance

35.—(1) If any of the requirements of this Chapter (other than that in regulation 33) are not complied with in relation to a company's accounting documents before the end of the period allowed for delivering copies of those documents, every person who immediately before the end of that period was a director of the company commits an offence.

(2) It is a defence for a person charged with such an offence to prove that they took all reasonable steps for securing that those requirements would be complied with before the end of that period.

(3) A person guilty of an offence under paragraph (1) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale and, for continued contravention, a daily default fine not exceeding [F25 one-tenth of level 5 on the standard scale] [F25 one-tenth of the greater of £5,000 or level 4 on the standard scale].

Textual Amendments

F25 Words in reg. 35(3) substituted (E.W.) (12.3.2015) by The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (Fines on Summary Conviction) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/664), reg. 1(1), Sch. 3 para. 13(3) (with reg. 5(1))

CHAPTER 3 Companies not required to prepare and disclose accounts under parent law

Application of Chapter

36.  This Chapter applies to an overseas company to which this Part applies that is not a company to which Chapter 2 of this Part applies.

A company's financial year

37.  Sections 390 to 392 of the Companies Act 2006 apply in relation to a company to which this Chapter applies, modified so that they read as follows—

“A company's financial year

390— (1) A company's financial year is determined as follows.

(2) Its first financial year—

(a) begins with the first day of its first accounting reference period, and

(b) ends with the last day of that period or such other date, not more than seven days before or after the end of that period, as the directors may determine.

(3) Subsequent financial years—

(a) begin with the day immediately following the end of the company's previous financial year, and

(b) end with the last day of its next accounting reference period or such other date, not more than seven days before or after the end of that period, as the directors may determine.

Accounting reference periods and accounting reference date

391— (1) A company's accounting reference periods are determined according to its accounting reference date in each calendar year.

(2) The accounting reference date of a company is the last day of the month in which the anniversary of its becoming a relevant overseas company falls.

(3) A company's first accounting reference period is the period of more than six months, but not more than eighteen months, beginning with the date of its becoming a relevant overseas company and ending with its accounting reference date.

(4) Its subsequent accounting reference periods are successive periods of twelve months beginning immediately after the end of the previous accounting reference period and ending with its accounting reference date.

(5) This section has effect subject to the provisions of section 392.

Alteration of accounting reference date

392— (1) A company may by notice given to the registrar specify a new accounting reference date having effect in relation to—

(a) the company's current accounting reference period and subsequent periods, or

(b) the company's previous accounting reference period and subsequent periods.

A company's “previous accounting reference period” means the one immediately preceding its current accounting reference period.

(2) The notice must state whether the current or previous accounting reference period—

(a) is to be shortened, so as to come to an end on the first occasion on which the new accounting reference date falls or fell after the beginning of the period, or

(b) is to be extended, so as to come to an end on the second occasion on which that date falls or fell after the beginning of the period.

(3) A notice under this section may not be given in respect of a previous accounting reference period if the period for filing accounts for the financial year determined by reference to that accounting reference period has already expired.

(4) An accounting reference period may not be extended so as to exceed eighteen months and a notice under this section is ineffective if the current or previous accounting reference period as extended in accordance with the notice would exceed that limit.

This does not apply where the company is in administration under Part 2 of the Insolvency Act 1986 (c.45) or Part 3 of the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (S.I. 1989/2405 (N.I. 19)).”.

Duty to prepare accounts

38.  Sections 394 to 397, 399, and 402 to 406 of the Companies Act 2006 apply in relation to a company to which this Chapter applies, modified so that they read as follows [F26 (save that the modification of section 396 does not apply in relation to a company which is a scheme funder of a Master Trust scheme within the meanings given by section 39(1) of the Pension Schemes Act 2017 [F27 or section 39(1) of the Pension Schemes Act (Northern Ireland) 2021] (interpretation of Part 1))]—

“Duty to prepare individual accounts

394   Subject to section 399 (duty to prepare group accounts), the directors of a company must prepare accounts for the company for each of its financial years. Those accounts are referred to as the company's “individual accounts”.

Individual accounts: applicable accounting framework

395— (1) A company's annual accounts may be prepared in accordance with—

(a) its parent law (“parent law individual accounts”),

(b) international accounting standards (“IAS individual accounts”), or

(c) section 396 (“overseas companies individual accounts”).

(2) A company may only prepare parent law individual accounts if the content of such accounts includes that required by section 396.

Overseas companies individual accounts

396— (1) Overseas companies individual accounts must comprise—

(a) a balance sheet as at the last day of the financial year, and

(b) a profit and loss account.

(2) The accounts must comply with the provisions in Schedule 4 to the Overseas Companies Regulations as to—

(a) the content of the balance sheet and the profit and loss account, and

(b) additional information to be provided by way of notes to the accounts.

IAS individual accounts, parent law individual accounts and overseas company individual accounts

397— (1) Where the directors of a company prepare IAS individual accounts they must state in the notes—

(a) that the accounts have been prepared in accordance with international accounting standards,

(b) whether the accounts have been audited, and

(c) if they have been audited—

(i) whether they have been audited in accordance with a set of generally accepted auditing standards, and

(ii) if so, the name of the organisation or other body which issued those standards.

(2) Where the directors of a company prepare parent law individual accounts they must state in the notes—

(a) that the accounts have been prepared in accordance with the company's parent law,

(b) the legislation under which the accounts have been prepared,

(c) whether the accounts have been prepared in accordance with a set of generally accepted accounting principles, and if so, the name of the organisation or other body which issued those principles,

(d) whether the accounts have been audited, and

(e) if they have been audited—

(i) whether they have been audited in accordance with a set of generally accepted auditing standards, and

(ii) if so, the name of the organisation or other body which issued those standards.

(3) Where the directors of a company prepare overseas company individual accounts they must state in the notes—

(a) that the accounts have been prepared in accordance with section 396,

(b) whether the accounts have been prepared in accordance with a set of generally accepted accounting principles, and if so, the name of the organisation or other body which issued those principles,

(c) whether the accounts have been audited, and

(d) if they have been audited—

(i) whether they have been audited in accordance with a set of generally accepted auditing standards, and

(ii) if so, the name of the organisation or other body which issued those standards.

Duty to prepare group accounts

399   If at the end of a financial year a company is a parent company the directors must, instead of preparing individual accounts for the year, prepare group accounts for the year.

Exemption from duty to prepare group accounts

402   A parent company is exempt from the requirement to prepare group accounts where—

(a) it has prepared accounts under section 395(1)(a) and its parent law does not require consolidated accounts;

(b) it has prepared accounts under section 395(1)(b) and in accordance with the international accounting standards it is not required to prepare consolidated accounts;

(c) it has prepared accounts under section 395(1)(c) and if under section 405 all of the company's subsidiary undertakings could be excluded from the consolidation.

Holding company accounts to be regarded as group accounts

402A   Where a company, being a parent company, is required by section 399 to prepare group accounts, and that company is itself the subsidiary of another company (“the holding company”), the group accounts of the holding company are deemed to satisfy the requirements of section 399 to prepare group accounts.

Group accounts: applicable accounting framework

403— (1) The group accounts of an overseas company may be prepared in accordance with—

(a) its parent law (“parent law group accounts”),

(b) international accounting standards (“IAS group accounts”), or

(c) section 404 (“overseas companies group accounts”).

(2) A company may only prepare parent law group accounts if the content of such accounts includes that required by section 404.

Overseas companies group accounts

404— (1) Overseas companies group accounts must comprise—

(a) a consolidated balance sheet dealing with the state of affairs of the parent company and its subsidiary undertakings, and

(b) a consolidated profit and loss account dealing with the profit or loss of the parent company and its subsidiary undertakings.

(2) The accounts must comply with the provisions of Schedule 5 to the Overseas Companies Regulations as to—

(a) the content of the consolidated balance sheet and consolidated profit and loss account, and

(b) additional information to be provided by way of notes to the accounts.

Overseas companies group accounts: subsidiary undertakings included in the consolidation

405— (1) Where a parent company prepares overseas companies group accounts, all the subsidiary undertakings of the company must be included in the consolidation, subject to the following exceptions.

(2) A subsidiary undertaking may be excluded from the consolidation if its inclusion is not material (but two or more undertakings may be excluded only if they are not material taken together).

(3) A subsidiary undertaking may be excluded from consolidation where—

(a) severe long-term restrictions substantially hinder the exercise of the rights of the parent company over the assets or management of that undertaking, or

(b) the information necessary for the preparation of group accounts cannot be obtained without disproportionate expense or undue delay, or

(c) the interest of the parent company is held exclusively with a view to subsequent resale.

(4) The reference in subsection (3)(a) to the rights of the parent company and the reference in subsection (3)(c) to the interest of the parent company are, respectively, to rights and interests held by or attributed to the company for the purposes of the definition of “parent undertaking” (see section 1162) in the absence of which it would not be the parent company.

IAS group accounts, parent law group accounts and overseas company group accounts

406— (1) Where the directors of a company prepare IAS group accounts they must state in the notes—

(a) that the accounts have been prepared in accordance with international accounting standards,

(b) whether the accounts have been audited, and

(c) if they have been audited—

(i) whether they have been audited in accordance with a set of generally accepted auditing standards, and

(ii) if so, the name of the organisation or other body which issued those standards.

(2) Where the directors of a company prepare parent law group accounts they must state in the notes—

(a) that the accounts have been prepared in accordance with the company's parent law,

(b) the legislation under which the accounts have been prepared,

(c) whether the accounts have been prepared in accordance with a set of generally accepted accounting principles, and if so, the name of the organisation or other body which issued those principles,

(d) whether the accounts have been audited, and

(e) if they have been audited—

(i) whether they have been audited in accordance with a set of generally accepted auditing standards, and

(ii) if so, the name of the organisation or other body which issued those standards.

(3) Where the directors of a company prepare overseas company group accounts they must state in the notes—

(a) that the accounts have been prepared in accordance with section 404,

(b) whether the accounts have been prepared in accordance with a set of generally accepted accounting principles, and if so, the name of the organisation or other body which issued those principles,

(c) whether the accounts have been audited, and

(d) if they have been audited—

(i) whether they have been audited in accordance with a set of generally accepted auditing standards, and

(ii) if so, the name of the organisation or other body which issued those standards.”.

Textual Amendments

F26 Words in reg. 38 inserted (E.W.S.) (1.10.2018) by The Occupational Pension Schemes (Master Trusts) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/1030), regs. 1(2), 32(2)

F27 Words in reg. 38 inserted (N.I.) (27.3.2024) by The Occupational Pension Schemes (Master Trusts) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 (S.R. 2024/78), regs. 1, 32

Approval and signing of accounts

39.  Section 414 of the Companies Act 2006 applies in relation to a company to which this Chapter applies, modified so that it reads as follows—

“Approval and signing of accounts

414— (1) A company's annual accounts must be approved by the board of directors and signed on behalf of the board by a director of the company.

(2) The signature must be on the company's balance sheet.

(3) If annual accounts are approved that do not comply with the requirements of Part 15 as applied (with modifications) by Part 5 of the Overseas Companies Regulations, every director of the company who—

(a) knew that they did not comply, or was reckless as to whether they complied, and

(b) failed to take reasonable steps to secure compliance with those requirements or, as the case may be, to prevent the accounts from being approved, commits an offence.

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

(a) on conviction on indictment, to a fine;

(b) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum.”.

Duty to file accounts

40.  Sections 441 and 442 of the Companies Act 2006 apply in relation to a company to which this Chapter applies, modified so that they read as follows—

“Duty to file accounts with the registrar

441— (1) The directors of a company must deliver to the registrar for each financial year a copy of the company's annual accounts and such other reports as are required to be prepared.

(2) The copy of the balance sheet delivered to the registrar under this section must state the name of the person who signed it on behalf of the board.

(3) The directors required by this section to deliver accounts must deliver them in respect of each UK establishment that it has at the end of that year, subject as follows.

(4) Subsection (3) does not require the delivery of accounts in respect of an establishment if—

(a) a return under the Overseas Companies Regulations in respect of that establishment has stated the intention to file accounts in respect of another UK establishment (giving the registered number of that establishment), and

(b) the accounts are delivered in respect of that establishment before the end of the period allowed for doing so.

Period allowed for filing accounts

442— (1) This section specifies the period allowed for directors of a company to comply with their obligation under section 441 to deliver accounts for a financial year to the registrar.

This is referred to in sections 392 and 451 as the “period for filing” those accounts.

(2) The period is thirteen months after the end of the relevant accounting reference period.

This is subject to the following provisions of this section.

(3) If the relevant accounting reference period is the company's first and is a period of more than twelve months, the period allowed is thirteen months from the first anniversary of the company becoming a relevant overseas company.

(4) If the relevant accounting reference period is treated as shortened by virtue of a notice given under section 392, the period is—

(a) that applicable in accordance with the above provisions, or

(b) three months from the date of the notice under that section,

whichever last expires.

(5) If for any special reason the Secretary of State thinks fit he may, on an application made before the expiry of the period otherwise allowed, by notice in writing to a company extend that period by such further period as may be specified in the notice.

(6) In this section “the relevant accounting reference period” means the accounting reference period by reference to which the financial year for the accounts in question was determined.”.

Penalty for non-compliance

41.  Section 451 of the Companies Act 2006 applies in relation to a company to which this Chapter applies, modified so that it reads as follows—

“Default in filing accounts: offences

451— (1) If the requirements of section 441 (duty to file accounts) are not complied with in relation to a company's accounts for a financial year before the end of the period for filing those accounts, every person who immediately before the end of that period was a director of the company commits an offence.

(2) It is a defence for a person charged with such an offence to prove that he took all reasonable steps for securing that those requirements would be complied with before the end of that period.

(3) It is not a defence to prove that the documents in question were not in fact prepared as required by this Part.

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

Supplementary provisions

42.  Sections 471, 472 and 474 of the Companies Act 2006 apply in relation to a company to which this Chapter applies, modified so that they read as follows—

“Meaning of “annual accounts”

471   In this Part a company's “annual accounts”, in relation to a financial year, means the company's individual accounts for that year (see section 394) or, if applicable, the company's group accounts for that year (see section 399).

Notes to the accounts

472— (1) Information required by this Part to be given in notes to a company's annual accounts may be contained in the accounts or in a separate document annexed to the accounts.

(2) References in this Part to a company's annual accounts, or to a balance sheet or profit and loss account, include notes to the accounts.

Minor definitions

474   In this Part—

“balance sheet” includes a statement of financial position or other equivalent financial statement;

“group” means a parent undertaking and its subsidiary undertakings;

“IAS Regulation” means EC Regulation No. 1606/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19th July 2002 on the application of international accounting standards M8 ;

“international accounting standards” means the international accounting standards, within the meaning of Article 2 of the IAS Regulation;

“Overseas Companies Regulations” means the Overseas Companies Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/1801);

“profit and loss account” includes an income statement or other equivalent financial statement;

“relevant overseas company” means a company to which Chapter 3 of Part 5 of the Overseas Companies Regulations applies,

and references to “this Part” are to be read as references to those sections of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 as applied (with modification) by the Overseas Companies Regulations and include Schedules 4 and 5 to those Regulations.”.

Marginal Citations

M8 OJ L 243, 11.9.2002, p. 1.

PART 6 DELIVERY OF ACCOUNTING DOCUMENTS: CREDIT OR FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

CHAPTER 1 Introductory provisions

Application and interpretation of Part

43.—(1) This Part applies to every credit or financial institution that has a branch in the United Kingdom.

(2) In this Part “branch” means a place of business that forms a legally dependent part of the institution and conducts directly all or some of the operations inherent in its business.

CHAPTER 2 Institutions required to prepare accounts under parent law

Application and interpretation of Chapter

44.—(1) This Chapter applies to a credit or financial institution to which this Part applies that—

(a) is required by its parent law to prepare and have audited accounts; F28 ...

F28 (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2) In relation to an institution to which this Chapter applies—

“accounting documents” in relation to a financial period of the institution, means—

(a)

the accounts of the institution for the period, including, if it has one or more subsidiaries, any consolidated accounts of its group,

(b)

any annual report of the directors for the period,

(c)

any report of the auditors on the accounts mentioned in sub-paragraph (a),

(d)

any report of the auditors on the report mentioned in sub-paragraph (b),

and for this purpose “subsidiaries” and “consolidated group accounts” have the meaning given to them by the institution's parent law;

“director”, in the case of an institution which does not have directors, means persons occupying equivalent offices;

“disclosure” means public disclosure, except where an institution is not required under its parent law, any enactment having effect for the United Kingdom or its constitution to publicly disclose its accounts, in which case it means disclosure of the accounts to the persons for whose information they have been prepared;

“financial period” means a period for which the institution is required or permitted by its parent law to prepare accounts;

“parent law” means the law of the country in which the institution has its head office; and in the case of an institution which does not have directors, references to “directors” shall include the persons occupying equivalent offices.

Textual Amendments

F28 Reg. 44(1)(b) and word omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Accounts and Reports (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/145), reg. 1(2)(c), Sch. 3 para. 27; 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Initial filing of copies of accounting documents

45.  A credit or financial institution must within one month of becoming an institution to which this Chapter applies deliver to the registrar copies of the latest accounting documents of the institution prepared in accordance with its parent law to have been disclosed before the end of the period allowed for compliance with this regulation, or, if earlier, the date of compliance with it.

Filing of copies of subsequent accounting documents

46.—(1) A credit or financial institution to which this Chapter applies must deliver to the registrar copies of all the accounting documents of the institution prepared in accordance with its parent law that are disclosed on or after the end of the period allowed for compliance with regulation 45, or, if earlier, the date on which it complies with that paragraph.

(2) The period allowed for delivery, in relation to a copy of a document required to be delivered under paragraph (1), is three months from the date on which the document is required to be disclosed in accordance with the institution's parent law.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C3 Reg. 46(2) modified (temp.) (27.6.2020) by The Companies etc. (Filing Requirements) (Temporary Modifications) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/645), regs. 2, 41(3)(4) (with reg. 41(5))

Statement of details of parent law and other information

47.—(1) The copies of accounting documents delivered to the registrar under regulation 45 or 46 must be accompanied by a statement containing the following information.

(2) The information required is—

(a) the legislation under which the accounts have been prepared and F29 ... audited,

(b) whether those accounts have been prepared in accordance with a set of generally accepted accounting principles, and if so, the name of the organisation or other body which issued those principles, [F30 and]

F31 (c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F32 (d) whether those accounts have been audited in accordance with a set of generally accepted auditing standards, and if so, the name of the organisation or other body which issued those standards.]

F33 (e) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F29 Words in reg. 47(2)(a) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Accounts and Reports (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/145), reg. 1(2)(c), Sch. 3 para. 28(a); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F30 Word in reg. 47(2)(b) inserted (31.12.2020) by The Accounts and Reports (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/145), reg. 1(2)(c), Sch. 3 para. 28(b); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F31 Reg. 47(2)(c) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Accounts and Reports (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/145), reg. 1(2)(c), Sch. 3 para. 28(c); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F32 Reg. 47(2)(d) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Accounts and Reports (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/145), reg. 1(2)(c), Sch. 3 para. 28(d); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F33 Reg. 47(2)(e) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Accounts and Reports (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/145), reg. 1(2)(c), Sch. 3 para. 28(e); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Supplementary provisions as to obligation to file copies of accounting documents

48.—(1) The following provisions apply in relation to the obligations imposed by regulation 45 or 46.

F34 (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) Where the institution's parent law permits it to discharge an obligation with respect to the disclosure of accounting documents by disclosing documents in a modified form, it may discharge its obligation under regulations 45 and 46 by delivering copies of documents modified as permitted by that law.

Textual Amendments

F34 Reg. 48(2) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Accounts and Reports (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/145), reg. 1(2)(c), Sch. 3 para. 29; 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Exception where documents available for inspection

49.—(1) Neither regulation 45 nor regulation 46 requires an institution to deliver copies of accounting documents if at the end of the period allowed for compliance with those regulations—

(a) it is not required by its parent law to register them,

(b) they are made available for inspection at each branch of the institution in the United Kingdom, and

(c) copies of them are available on request at a cost not exceeding the cost of supplying them.

(2) Where—

(a) by virtue of paragraph (1) an institution is not required to deliver documents under regulation 45 or 46, and

(b) any of the conditions specified in paragraph (1) ceases to be met,

the institution must deliver the documents to the registrar for registration within seven days of the condition ceasing to be met.

Penalty for non-compliance

50.—(1) If any of the requirements of this Chapter are not complied with before the end of the period allowed for delivery of copies of accounting documents, an offence is committed by every person who immediately before the end of that period was a director of the institution.

(2) It is a defence for a person charged with such an offence to prove that they took all reasonable steps for securing that those requirements would be complied with before the end of that period.

(3) A person guilty of an offence under paragraph (1) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale and, for continued contravention, a daily default fine not exceeding [F35 one-tenth of level 5 on the standard scale] [F35 one-tenth of the greater of £5,000 or level 4 on the standard scale].

Textual Amendments

F35 Words in reg. 50(3) substituted (E.W.) (12.3.2015) by The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (Fines on Summary Conviction) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/664), reg. 1(1), Sch. 3 para. 13(4) (with reg. 5(1))

CHAPTER 3 Institutions not required to prepare accounts under parent law

Application of Chapter

51.  This Chapter applies to a credit or financial institution to which this Part applies that is not one to which Chapter 2 of this Part applies.

An institution's financial year

52.  Sections 390 to 392 of the Companies Act 2006 apply in relation to an institution to which this Chapter applies, modified so that they read as follows—

“An institution's financial year

390— (1) An institution's financial year is determined as follows.

(2) Its first financial year—

(a) begins with the first day of its first accounting reference period, and

(b) ends with the last day of that period or such other date, not more than seven days before or after the end of that period, as the directors may determine.

(3) Subsequent financial years—

(a) begin with the day immediately following the end of the institution's previous financial year, and

(b) end with the last day of its next accounting reference period or such other date, not more than seven days before or after the end of that period, as the directors may determine.

Accounting reference periods and accounting reference date

391— (1) An institution's accounting reference periods are determined according to its accounting reference date in each calendar year.

(2) The accounting reference date of an institution is the last day of the month in which the anniversary of its becoming a relevant overseas institution falls.

(3) An institution's first accounting reference period is the period of more than six months, but not more than eighteen months, beginning with the date of its becoming a relevant overseas institution and ending with its accounting reference date.

(4) Its subsequent accounting reference periods are successive periods of twelve months beginning immediately after the end of the previous accounting reference period and ending with its accounting reference date.

(5) This section has effect subject to the provisions of section 392.

Alteration of accounting reference date

392— (1) An institution may by notice given to the registrar specify a new accounting reference date having effect in relation to—

(a) the institution's current accounting reference period and subsequent periods, or

(b) the institution's previous accounting reference period and subsequent periods.

An institution's “previous accounting reference period” means the one immediately preceding its current accounting reference period.

(2) The notice must state whether the current or previous accounting reference period—

(a) is to be shortened, so as to come to an end on the first occasion on which the new accounting reference date falls or fell after the beginning of the period, or

(b) is to be extended, so as to come to an end on the second occasion on which that date falls or fell after the beginning of the period.

(3) A notice under this section may not be given in respect of a previous accounting reference period if the period for filing accounts for the financial year determined by reference to that accounting reference period has already expired.

(4) An accounting reference period may not be extended so as to exceed eighteen months and a notice under this section is ineffective if the current or previous accounting reference period as extended in accordance with the notice would exceed that limit.

This does not apply where the institution is in administration under Part 2 of the Insolvency Act 1986 (c.45) or Part 3 of the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (S.I. 1989/2405 (N.I. 19)).”.

Duty to prepare accounts

53.  Sections 394 to 397, 399, and 402 to 406 of the Companies Act 2006 apply in relation to an institution to which this Chapter applies, modified so that they read as follows—

“Duty to prepare individual accounts

394   Subject to section 399 (duty to prepare group accounts) the directors of an institution must prepare accounts for the institution for each of its financial years.

Those accounts are referred to as the institution's “individual accounts”.

Individual accounts: applicable accounting framework

395— (1) An institution's annual accounts may be prepared in accordance with—

(a) its parent law (“parent law individual accounts”),

(b) international accounting standards (“IAS individual accounts”), or

(c) section 396 (“overseas institutions individual accounts”).

(2) An institution may only prepare parent law individual accounts if the content of such accounts includes that required by section 396.

Overseas institutions individual accounts

396— (1) Overseas institutions individual accounts must comprise—

(a) a balance sheet as at the last day of the financial year, and

(b) a profit and loss account.

(2) The accounts must comply with the provisions in Schedule 6 to the Overseas Companies Regulations as to—

(a) the content of the balance sheet and the profit and loss account, and

(b) additional information to be provided by way of notes to the accounts.

IAS individual accounts, parent law individual accounts and overseas institutions individual accounts

397— (1) Where the directors of an institution prepare IAS individual accounts they must state in the notes—

(a) that the accounts have been prepared in accordance with international accounting standards,

(b) whether the accounts have been audited, and

(c) if they have been audited—

(i) whether they have been audited in accordance with a set of generally accepted auditing standards, and

(ii) if so, the name of the organisation or other body which issued those standards.

(2) Where the directors of an institution prepare parent law individual accounts they must state in the notes—

(a) that the accounts have been prepared in accordance with the institution's parent law,

(b) the legislation under which the accounts have been prepared,

(c) whether the accounts have been prepared in accordance with a set of generally accepted accounting principles, and if so, the name of the organisation or other body which issued those principles,

(d) whether the accounts have been audited, and

(e) if they have been audited—

(i) whether they have been audited in accordance with a set of generally accepted auditing standards, and

(ii) if so, the name of the organisation or other body which issued those standards.

(3) Where the directors of an institution prepare overseas institutions individual accounts they must state in the notes—

(a) that the accounts have been prepared in accordance with section 396,

(b) whether the accounts have been prepared in accordance with a set of generally accepted accounting principles, and if so, the name of the organisation or other body which issued those principles,

(c) whether the accounts have been audited, and

(d) if they have been audited—

(i) whether they have been audited in accordance with a set of generally accepted auditing standards, and

(ii) if so, the name of the organisation or other body which issued those standards.

Duty to prepare group accounts

399   If at the end of a financial year an institution is a parent institution the directors must, instead of preparing individual accounts for the year, prepare group accounts for the year.

Exemption from duty to prepare group accounts

402   A parent institution is exempt from the requirement to prepare group accounts where—

(a) it has prepared accounts under section 395(1)(a) and its parent law does not require consolidated accounts;

(b) it has prepared accounts under section 395(1)(b) and in accordance with the international accounting standards it is not required to prepare consolidated accounts;

(c) it has prepared accounts under section 395(1)(c) and if under section 405 all of the institution's subsidiary undertakings could be excluded from consolidation.

Holding institution accounts to be regarded as group accounts

402A   Where an institution, being a parent institution, is required by section 399 to prepare group accounts, and that institution is itself the subsidiary of another institution (“the holding institution”), the group accounts of the holding institution may be deemed to satisfy the requirements of section 399 to prepare group accounts.

Group accounts: applicable accounting framework

403— (1) The group accounts of an institution may be prepared in accordance with—

(a) its parent law (“parent law group accounts”),

(b) international accounting standards (“IAS group accounts”), or

(c) section 404 (“overseas institutions group accounts”).

(2) An institution may only prepare parent law group accounts if the content of such accounts includes that required by section 404.

Overseas institutions group accounts

404— (1) Overseas institutions group accounts must comprise—

(a) a consolidated balance sheet dealing with the state of affairs of the parent institution and its subsidiary undertakings, and

(b) a consolidated profit and loss account dealing with the profit or loss of the parent institution and its subsidiary undertakings.

(2) The accounts must comply with the provisions of Schedule 7 to the Overseas Companies Regulations as to—

(a) the content of the consolidated balance sheet and consolidated profit and loss account, and

(b) additional information to be provided by way of notes to the accounts.

Overseas institutions group accounts: subsidiary undertakings included in the consolidation

405— (1) Where a parent institution prepares overseas institutions group accounts, all the subsidiary undertakings of the institution must be included in the consolidation, subject to the following exceptions.

(2) A subsidiary undertaking may be excluded from the consolidation if its inclusion is not material (but two or more undertakings may be excluded only if they are not material taken together).

(3) A subsidiary undertaking may be excluded from consolidation where—

(a) severe long-term restrictions substantially hinder the exercise of the rights of the parent institution over the assets or management of that undertaking, or

(b) the information necessary for the preparation of group accounts cannot be obtained without disproportionate expense or undue delay, or

(c) the interest of the parent institution is held exclusively with a view to subsequent resale.

(4) The reference in subsection (3)(a) to the rights of the parent institution and the reference in subsection (3)(c) to the interest of the parent institution are, respectively, to rights and interests held by or attributed to the institution for the purposes of the definition of “parent undertaking” (see section 1162) in the absence of which it would not be the parent institution.

IAS group accounts, parent law group accounts and overseas institutions group accounts

406— (1) Where the directors of an institution prepare IAS group accounts they must state in the notes—

(a) that the accounts have been prepared in accordance with international accounting standards,

(b) whether the accounts have been audited, and

(c) if they have been audited—

(i) whether they have been audited in accordance with a set of generally accepted auditing standards, and

(ii) if so, the name of the organisation or other body which issued those standards.

(2) Where the directors of an institution prepare parent law group accounts they must state in the notes—

(a) that the accounts have been prepared in accordance with the institution's parent law,

(b) the legislation under which the accounts have been prepared,

(c) whether the accounts have been prepared in accordance with a set of generally accepted accounting principles, and if so, the name of the organisation or other body which issued those principles,

(d) whether the accounts have been audited, and

(e) if they have been audited—

(i) whether they have been audited in accordance with a set of generally accepted auditing standards, and

(ii) if so, the name of the organisation or other body which issued those standards.

(3) Where the directors of an institution prepare overseas institutions group accounts they must state in the notes—

(a) that the accounts have been prepared in accordance with section 404,

(b) whether the accounts have been prepared in accordance with a set of generally accepted accounting principles, and if so, the name of the organisation or other body which issued those principles,

(c) whether the accounts have been audited, and

(d) if they have been audited—

(i) whether they have been audited in accordance with a set of generally accepted auditing standards, and

(ii) if so, the name of the organisation or other body which issued those standards.”.

Approval and signing of accounts

54.  Section 414 of the Companies Act 2006 applies in relation to an institution to which this Chapter applies, modified so that it reads as follows—

“Approval and signing of accounts

414— (1) An institution's annual accounts must be approved by the board of directors and signed on behalf of the board by a director of the institution.

(2) The signature must be on the institution's balance sheet.

(3) If annual accounts are approved that do not comply with the requirements of Part 15 as applied (with modifications) by Part 6 of the Overseas Companies Regulations, every director of the institution who—

(a) knew that they did not comply, or was reckless as to whether they complied, and

(b) failed to take reasonable steps to secure compliance with those requirements or, as the case may be, to prevent the accounts from being approved,

commits an offence.

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

(a) on conviction on indictment, to a fine;

(b) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum.”.

Duty to file accounts

55.  Sections 441 and 442 of the Companies Act 2006 apply in relation to an institution to which this Chapter applies, modified so that they read as follows—

“Duty to file accounts with the registrar

441— (1) The directors of an institution must deliver to the registrar for each financial year a copy of the institution's annual accounts and such other reports as are required to be prepared.

(2) The copy of the balance sheet delivered to the registrar under this section must state the name of the person who signed it on behalf of the board.

Period allowed for filing accounts

442— (1) This section specifies the period allowed for directors of an institution to comply with their obligation under section 441 to deliver accounts for a financial year to the registrar.

This is referred to in sections 392 and 451 as the “period for filing” those accounts.

(2) The period is thirteen months after the end of the relevant accounting reference period.

This is subject to the following provisions of this section.

(3) If the relevant accounting reference period is the institution's first and is a period of more than twelve months, the period allowed is thirteen months from the first anniversary of the institution becoming a relevant overseas institution.

(4) If the relevant accounting reference period is treated as shortened by virtue of a notice given under section 392, the period is—

(a) that applicable in accordance with the above provisions, or

(b) three months from the date of the notice under that section,

whichever last expires.

(5) If for any special reason the Secretary of State thinks fit he may, on an application made before the expiry of the period otherwise allowed, by notice in writing to an institution extend that period by such further period as may be specified in the notice.

(6) In this section “the relevant accounting reference period” means the accounting reference period by reference to which the financial year for the accounts in question was determined.”.

Penalty for non-compliance

56.  Section 451 of the Companies Act 2006 applies in relation to an institution to which this Chapter applies, modified so that it reads as follows—

“Default in filing accounts: offences

451— (1) If the requirements of section 441 (duty to file accounts) are not complied with in relation to an institution's accounts for a financial year before the end of the period for filing those accounts, every person who immediately before the end of that period was a director of the institution commits an offence.

(2) It is a defence for a person charged with such an offence to prove that he took all reasonable steps for securing that those requirements would be complied with before the end of that period.

(3) It is not a defence to prove that the documents in question were not in fact prepared as required by this Part.

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

Supplementary provisions

57.  Sections 471, 472 and 474 of the Companies Act 2006 apply in relation to an institution to which this Chapter applies, modified so that they read as follows—

“Meaning of “annual accounts”

471   In this Part an institution's “annual accounts”, in relation to a financial year, means the institution's individual accounts for that year (see section 394) or, if applicable, the institution's group accounts for that year (see section 399).

Notes to the accounts

472— (1) Information required by this Part to be given in notes to an institution's annual accounts may be contained in the accounts or in a separate document annexed to the accounts.

(2) References in this Part to an institution's annual accounts, or to a balance sheet or profit and loss account, include notes to the accounts.

Minor definitions

474   In this Part—

“balance sheet” includes a statement of financial position or other equivalent financial statement;

“directors”, in the case of an institution which does not have directors, means persons occupying equivalent offices;

“group” means a parent institution and its subsidiary undertakings;

“IAS Regulation” means EC Regulation No. 1606/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19th July 2002 on the application of international accounting standards;

“international accounting standards” means the international accounting standards, within the meaning of Article 2 of the IAS Regulation;

“Overseas Companies Regulations” means the Overseas Companies Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/1801);

“parent institution” means an institution that is a parent undertaking (see section 1162 of and Schedule 7 to the Companies Act 2006);

“profit and loss account” includes an income statement or other equivalent financial statement;

“relevant overseas institution” means an institution to which Chapter 3 of Part 6 of the Overseas Companies Regulations applies;

and references to “this Part” are references to those sections of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 as applied (with or without modification) by the Overseas Companies Regulations and include Schedules 6 and 7 to those Regulations.”.

PART 7 TRADING DISCLOSURES

Application and interpretation of Part

58.—(1) This Part applies to an overseas company that carries on business in the United Kingdom.

(2) In this Part—

(a) a reference to any type of document is a reference to a document of that type in hard copy, electronic or any other form;

(b) in relation to a company, a reference to “its websites” includes a reference to any part of a website relating to that company which that company has caused or authorised to appear.

Legibility of displays and disclosures

59.  Any display or disclosure of information required by this Part must be in characters that can be read with the naked eye.

Requirement to display name etc at business location

60.—(1) A company to which this Part applies must display the company's name and country of incorporation—

(a) at every location in the United Kingdom at which it carries on business, and

(b) at the service address of every person resident in the United Kingdom authorised to accept service of documents on behalf of the company.

(2) Paragraph (1)(a) does not apply to a location—

(a) that is primarily used for living accommodation;

(b) at which business is carried on by a company of which every director or permanent representative who is an individual is entitled to higher protection from disclosure of their residential address; or

(c) at which business is carried on by a company in respect of which a liquidator, administrator or administrative receiver has been appointed if the location is also a place of business of the liquidator, administrator or administrative receiver.

(3) The reference in paragraph (2)(b) to an individual who is entitled to higher protection from disclosure of their residential address is to an individual in respect of whom the registrar is prohibited from disclosing protected information to a credit reference agency.

Manner of display of name etc

61.—(1) The following requirements apply where a company is required by regulation 60 to display its name and country of incorporation at a location in the United Kingdom.

(2) A company must display its name and country of incorporation in such a way so that they may be easily seen by any visitor to the location.

(3) The company's name and country of incorporation must be displayed continuously. But, if the place of business is shared by six or more companies, this requirement is treated as met if the company's name and country of incorporation are displayed for at least fifteen continuous seconds at least once in every three minutes.

Company's name to appear on communications

62.  A company to which this Part applies must state the company's name on all—

(a) its business letters, notices and other official publications;

(b) its bills of exchange, promissory notes, endorsements and order forms;

(c) cheques purporting to be signed by or on behalf of the company;

(d) orders for money, goods or services purporting to be signed by or on behalf of the company;

(e) its bills of parcels, invoices and other demands for payments, receipts, and letters of credit;

(f) its applications for licences to carry on a trade or activity;

(g) other forms of its business correspondence and documentation; and

(h) its websites,

that are used in carrying on the activities of its business in the United Kingdom.

Particulars to appear in business letters, order forms and websites

63.—(1) An overseas company that has a UK establishment in respect of which it has registered particulars under Part 2 must state the particulars required by [F36 paragraph (4)] on all—

(a) its business letters,

(b) its order forms, and

(c) its websites,

that are used in carrying on the activities of a UK establishment of the company.

F37 (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F37 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4) The particulars are—

(a) the company's country of incorporation,

(b) the identity of the registry, if any, in which the company is registered in its country of incorporation,

(c) if applicable, the number with which the company is registered in that registry,

(d) the location of its head office,

(e) the legal form of the company,

(f) if the liability of the members of the company is limited, the fact that it is a limited company, and

(g) if applicable, the fact that the company is being wound up, or is subject to other insolvency proceedings or an arrangement or composition or any analogous proceedings.

(5) If, in the case of an overseas company F38 ... having a share capital, there is reference to the amount of share capital on—

(a) its business letters,

(b) its order forms, or

(c) its websites,

the reference must be to paid up share capital.

(6) Paragraph (4)(g) does not apply to a company required to make disclosures under—

(a) section 39(1) or 188(a) of, or paragraph 16(1) of Schedule A1 or paragraph 45 of Schedule B1 to, the Insolvency Act 1986 M9 , or

(b) Article 49(1) or 159(1) of, or paragraph 27(1) of Schedule A1 or paragraph 46 of Schedule B1 to, the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 M10 .

Textual Amendments

F36 Words in reg. 63(1) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Companies, Limited Liability Partnerships and Partnerships (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/348), reg. 2, Sch. 2 para. 6(a) (with Sch. 4 para. 4) (as amended by S.I. 2020/523, regs. 1(2), 20); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F37 Reg. 63(2)(3) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Companies, Limited Liability Partnerships and Partnerships (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/348), reg. 2, Sch. 2 para. 6(b) (with Sch. 4 para. 4) (as amended by S.I. 2020/523, regs. 1(2), 20); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F38 Words in reg. 63(5) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Companies, Limited Liability Partnerships and Partnerships (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/348), reg. 2, Sch. 2 para. 6(c) (with Sch. 4 para. 4) (as amended by S.I. 2020/523, regs. 1(2), 20); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Marginal Citations

M9 1986 c.45. Schedule A1 was inserted by the Insolvency Act 2000 (c.39), section 1 and Schedule 1 and Schedule B1 was inserted by the Enterprise Act 2002 (c.40), section 248(2) and Schedule 16. Sections 39(1) and 188(a), paragraph 16(1) of Schedule A1 and paragraph 45 of Schedule B1 were amended by the Companies (Trading Disclosures) (Insolvency) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/1897).

M10 S.I. 1989/2405 (N.I. 19). Schedule A1 was inserted by the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/3152 (N.I. 6)), Article 3 and Schedule 1 and Schedule B1 was inserted by the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/1455 (N.I. 10)), Article 3(2) and Schedule 1. Articles 49(1) and 159(1), paragraph 27(1) of Schedule A1 and paragraph 46 of Schedule B1 were amended by the Companies (Trading Disclosures) (Insolvency) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/1897).

Disclosure of names of directors

64.—(1) Where a business letter of a company to which this Part applies includes the name of any director of the company, other than in the text or as a signatory, the letter must disclose the name of every director of the company.

(2) In the case of a body corporate, or a firm that is a legal person under the law by which it is governed, its corporate or firm name must be given.

Disclosures relating to address for service

65.—(1) A company shall disclose the address of any person resident in the United Kingdom authorised to accept service of documents on behalf of the company to any person it deals with in the course of business who makes a written request to the company for that information.

(2) The company shall send a written response to that person within five working days of the receipt of that request.

Civil consequences of failure to make a required disclosure

66.—(1) This regulation applies to any legal proceedings brought by a company to which this Part applies to enforce a right arising out of a contract made in the course of a business in respect of which, at the time the contract was made, there was a failure to comply with the requirements of this Part.

(2) The proceedings must be dismissed if it is shown that the defendant (in Scotland, the defender)—

(a) has a claim against the claimant (pursuer) arising out of the contract and has been unable to pursue that claim by reason of the latter's failure to comply with the requirements of this Part, or

(b) has suffered some financial loss in connection with the contract by reason of the claimant's (pursuer's) failure to comply with those requirements,

unless the court before which the proceedings are brought is satisfied that it is just and equitable to permit the proceedings to continue.

(3) This regulation does not affect the right of any person to enforce such rights as the person may have against another in any proceedings brought by the other.

Penalty for non-compliance

67.—(1) Where a company fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with any requirement of this Part, 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 paragraph (1) is liable on summary conviction to—

(a) a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale, and

(b) for continued contravention, a daily default fine not exceeding one-tenth of level 3 on the standard scale.

(3) For the purposes of this regulation a shadow director is to be treated as an officer of the company.

PART 8 RETURNS IN CASE OF WINDING UP ETC

Application of Part

68.  This Part applies to an overseas company that has one or more UK establishments.

Return in case of winding up

69.—(1) Where a company to which this Part applies is being wound up, it must deliver to the registrar a return containing the following particulars—

(a) the company's name;

(b) whether the company is being wound up by an order of a court and if so, the name and address of the court and the date of the order;

(c) if the company is not being so wound up, as a result of what action the winding up has commenced;

(d) whether the winding up has been instigated by—

(i) the company's members,

(ii) the company's creditors, or

(iii) some other person (stating the person's identity); and

(e) the date on which the winding up became or will become effective.

(2) The return must be delivered not later than—

(a) if the winding up began before the company had a UK establishment, one month after the company first opens a UK establishment;

(b) if the winding up begins when the company has a UK establishment, 14 days after the date on which the winding up begins.

(3) Where the company has more than one UK establishment the obligation to deliver a return under this regulation applies in respect of each of them, but a return giving the registered numbers of more than one UK establishment is regarded as a return in respect of each establishment whose number is given.

(4) No return is required under this regulation in respect of winding up under the Insolvency Act 1986 M11 or the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 M12 .

Marginal Citations

M11 1986 c.45. Section 117(7) (High Court and County Court jurisdiction) was amended by regulations 3 and 6 of the Insolvency Act 1986 (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2002 (S.I. 2002/1240).

M12 S.I. 1989/2405 (N.I. 19).

Returns to be made by liquidator

70.—(1) A person appointed to be the liquidator of a company to which this Part applies must deliver to the registrar a return containing the following particulars—

(a) their name and address,

(b) date of the appointment, and

(c) a description of such of the person's powers, if any, as are derived otherwise than from the general law or the company's constitution.

(2) The period allowed for delivery of the return required by paragraph (1) is—

(a) if the liquidator was appointed before the company had a UK establishment (and continues in office at the date of the opening), one month after the company first opens a UK establishment;

(b) if the liquidator is appointed when the company has a UK establishment, 14 days after the date of the appointment.

(3) The liquidator of a company to which this Part applies must—

(a) on the termination of the winding up of the company, deliver a return to the registrar stating the name of the company and the date on which the winding up terminated;

(b) on the company ceasing to be registered in circumstances where ceasing to be registered is an event of legal significance, deliver a return to the registrar stating the name of the company and the date on which it ceased to be registered.

(4) The period allowed for delivery of the return required by paragraph (3)(a) or (b) is 14 days from the date of the event.

(5) Where the company has more than one UK establishment the obligation to deliver a return under this regulation applies in respect of each of them, but a return giving the registered numbers of more than one UK establishment is regarded as a return in respect of each establishment whose number is given.

(6) No return is required under this regulation in respect of a liquidator appointed under the Insolvency Act 1986 or the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989.

Return in case of insolvency proceedings etc (other than winding up)

71.—(1) Where a company to which this Part applies becomes subject to insolvency proceedings or an arrangement or composition or any analogous proceedings (other than proceedings for winding up of the company), it must deliver to the registrar a return containing the following particulars—

(a) the company's name;

(b) whether the proceedings are by an order of a court and if so, the name and address of the court and the date of the order;

(c) if the proceedings are not by an order of a court, as a result of what action the proceedings have been commenced;

(d) whether the proceedings have been commenced by—

(i) the company's members,

(ii) the company's creditors, or

(iii) some other person (giving the person's identity);

(e) the date on which the proceedings became or will become effective.

(2) The period allowed for delivery of the return required by paragraph (1) is—

(a) if the company became subject to the proceedings before it had a UK establishment, one month after the company first opens a UK establishment;

(b) if the company becomes subject to the proceedings when it has a UK establishment, 14 days from the date on which it becomes subject to the proceedings.

(3) Where a company to which this Part applies ceases to be subject to any of the proceedings referred to in paragraph (1) it must deliver to the registrar a return stating—

(a) the company's name, and

(b) the date on which it ceased to be subject to the proceedings.

(4) The period allowed for delivery of the return required by paragraph (3) is 14 days from the date on which it ceases to be subject to the proceedings.

(5) Where the company has more than one UK establishment the obligation to deliver a return under this regulation applies in respect of each of them, but a return giving the registered numbers of more than one UK establishment is regarded as a return in respect of each establishment whose number is given.

(6) No return is required under this regulation in respect of—

(a) a company's becoming or ceasing to be subject to a voluntary arrangement under Part 1 of the Insolvency Act 1986 or Part 2 of the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989, or

(b) a company's entering administration under Part 2 and Schedule B1 of that Act or becoming or ceasing to be subject to an administration order under Part 3 of that Order.

Penalties for non-compliance

72.—(1) If a company fails to comply with regulation 69(1) or 71(1) or (3) within the period allowed for compliance, an offence is committed by—

(a) the company, and

(b) every person who immediately before the end of that period was a director of the company.

(2) A liquidator who fails to comply with regulation 70(1) or (3)(a) or (b) within the period allowed for compliance commits an offence.

(3) A person who takes all reasonable steps to secure compliance with the requirements concerned does not commit an offence under this regulation.

(4) A person guilty of an offence under this regulation is liable—

(a) on conviction on indictment, to a fine;

(b) on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum and, for continued contravention, a daily default fine not exceeding [F39 one-fiftieth of the statutory maximum] [F39 one-fiftieth of the greater of £5,000 or the amount corresponding to level 4 on the standard scale for summary offences].

Textual Amendments

F39 Words in reg. 72(4)(b) substituted (E.W.) (12.3.2015) by The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (Fines on Summary Conviction) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/664), reg. 1(1), Sch. 3 para. 13(5) (with reg. 5(1))

Notice of appointment of judicial factor

73.—(1) Notice must be given to the registrar of the appointment in relation to a company to which this Part applies of a judicial factor (in Scotland).

(2) The notice must be given by the judicial factor.

(3) The notice must specify an address at which service of documents (including legal process) may be effected on the judicial factor.

(4) Notice of a change in the address for service may be given to the registrar by the judicial factor.

(5) A judicial factor who has notified the registrar of the appointment must also notify the registrar of the termination of the appointment.

Offence of failure to give notice

74.—(1) A judicial factor who fails to give notice of the appointment in accordance with regulation 73 within the period of 14 days after the appointment commits an offence.

(2) A person guilty of an offence under this regulation is liable on summary conviction to—

(a) a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, and

(b) for continued contravention, a daily default fine not exceeding [F40 one-tenth of level 5 on the standard scale] [F40 one-tenth of the greater of £5,000 or level 4 on the standard scale].

Textual Amendments

F40 Words in reg. 74(2)(b) substituted (E.W.) (12.3.2015) by The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (Fines on Summary Conviction) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/664), reg. 1(1), Sch. 3 para. 13(6) (with reg. 5(1))

PART 9 MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Service of documents on director, secretary or permanent representative

75.  The positions specified for the purposes of section 1140(2)(b) of the Companies Act 2006 (overseas companies that have registered particulars: persons on whom document may be served at registered address) are—

(a) director,

(b) secretary, and

(c) permanent representative.

[F41 Enhanced disclosure documents]

76.  The particulars, returns and other documents specified for the purposes of section 1078(5) of the Companies Act 2006 (overseas companies: [F42 enhanced disclosure documents]) are—

(a) any return or document delivered under Part 2 (initial registration of particulars);

(b) any return or document delivered under Part 3 (alterations in registered particulars);

(c) any document delivered under Part 5 (delivery of accounting documents: general);

(d) any document delivered under Part 6 (delivery of accounting documents: credit or financial institutions);

(e) any return delivered under regulation 69 (return in case of winding up) or 70 (returns to be made by liquidator);

(f) any notice under regulation 77 (duty to give notice of closure of UK establishment).

Textual Amendments

F41 Reg. 76 heading substituted (31.12.2020) by The Companies, Limited Liability Partnerships and Partnerships (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/348), reg. 2, Sch. 2 para. 7(a); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F42 Words in reg. 76 substituted (31.12.2020) by The Companies, Limited Liability Partnerships and Partnerships (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/348), reg. 2, Sch. 2 para. 7(b); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Duty to give notice of closure of UK establishment

77.—(1) If an overseas company closes a UK establishment in respect of which it has registered particulars under Part 2, it must forthwith give notice of that fact to the registrar.

(2) From the date on which notice is given under paragraph (1) the company is no longer obliged to deliver documents to the registrar in respect of that establishment.

(3) If a company fails to comply with paragraph (1) an offence is committed by—

(a) the company, and

(b) every officer or agent of the company who knowingly and willingly authorises or permits the default.

(4) A person guilty of an offence under this regulation is liable on summary conviction to—

(a) a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale, and

(b) for continued contravention, a daily default fine not exceeding one-tenth of level 3 on the standard scale.

PART 10 SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS

Documents that may be drawn up and delivered in a language other than English

78.—(1) The following documents are specified for the purposes of section 1105(2)(d) of the Companies Act 2006 as documents that may be drawn up and delivered to the registrar in a language other than English, but which must, when delivered to the registrar, be accompanied by a certified translation into English.

(2) The documents are—

(a) a certified copy of the constitution required to be delivered under regulation 8, 14 or 15 of these Regulations;

(b) copies of accounting documents required to be delivered under regulation 9, 32, 45 or 46;

(c) copies of accounts required to be delivered under section 441 as modified by regulations 40 and 55.

Revocations

79.  The following Regulations are revoked—

(a) the Oversea Companies and Credit and Financial Institutions (Branch Disclosure) Regulations 1992 M13 ,

(b) the Part XXIII Companies and Credit and Financial Institutions (Branch Disclosure) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1993 M14 .

Marginal Citations

M13 S.I. 1992/3179.

M14 S.R. (NI) 1993 No 198.

Transitional provisions and savings

80.  Schedule 8 contains transitional provisions and savings.

Ian Lucas

Minister for Business and Regulatory Reform,

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills