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Company Formation in United Kingdom

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Company Formation in United Kingdom

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Company Formation in the UK

The UK has an open, transparent and business-friendly system to encourage the formation of new businesses. There are approximately 2.6 million registered companies in the UK, with over 330,000 new registrations each year. No permission is required to establish a business presence in the UK, although there are regulations on the use of business names and certain business sectors which may require licences or authorisation (such as finance, defence and oil exploration).

Companies House is the key government organisation that coordinates the administration of businesses in the UK.

Professional advice on forming a company in the UK can also be obtained from accountants, solicitors and company formation agents, as well as business experts from Startup Overseas.

Definition of a UK-registered company

The majority of foreign investors will establish a Registered Company when setting up in the UK. There are four different types of UK registered company:

 

  • Private company limited by shares (Ltd) the members liability is limited to the amount unpaid on shares they hold.
  • Private company limited by guarantee the members liability is limited to the amount they have agreed to contribute to the companys assets if it is wound up.
  • Private unlimited company there is no limit to the members liability.
  • Public company limited by shares (plc) the companys shares are offered for sale to the general public through a stock exchange and the members liability is limited to the amount unpaid on shares held by them.

 

The vast majority of foreign businesses are established as a company limited by shares, either as a private limited company or as a public limited company.

Most foreign companies set up a private limited company that is a subsidiary of the overseas company.

Setting up a UK-registered company

It is a straightforward process to establish a company in the UK and there are no separate rules for foreign nationals. To register a company, mandatory documents such as the Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association must be filed with Companies House.

The documentation can be prepared and the company registered in a day, provided that standard Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association are adopted (it can take considerably longer if tailor-made Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association are required). Ready-made companies are available from company formation agents throughout the UK.

Alternative business structures for foreign investors

Instead of registering a UK company, foreign businesses can establish a business presence in the UK through the following:

 

  • A UK establishment
  • A partnership
  • A limited partnership
  • A limited liability partnership
  • A joint venture
  • A European public limited company (SE)

 

A UK establishment

A UK establishment is part of an overseas limited company organised to conduct business in the UK. After opening a UK establishment, the following documents must be submitted to Companies House within a month:

 

  • a completed IN01 form
  • a certified copy of the companys constitutional documents
  • a copy of the latest set of disclosed accounts published in the companys home country, and
  • the registration fee (currently £20 for paper applications or £15 for electronic applications).

 

Constitutional documents and accounts must be in the home country language of the overseas company, with (if not in English) a certified translation made in the country where the company was incorporated.

Partnerships

Individuals, including overseas investors, can set up as a partnership in the UK. The partners have joint and several″ liability for all debts. This means that if a partner or a number of partners cannot pay (or be made to pay) their share of any debts, then the other partners become liable (in addition to their own share of debt).

Limited partnerships

A limited partnership consists of:

 

  • one or more persons called general partners who are liable for all debts and obligations of the firm, AND
  • one or more persons called limited partners who contribute a sum or sums of money as capital, or property valued at a stated amount.

 

Limited partners are not liable for the debts and obligations of the firm beyond the amount contributed. A limited partnership must be registered under the Limited Partnership Act of 1907. To register, all partners must sign and submit Form LP5 (including details of the business name, nature of the business, commencement date and the sum contributed by each limited partner) to Companies House.

An overseas limited partnership cannot usually register in the UK because the main place of business of a limited partnership has to be in the UK.

Limited liability partnerships (LLP)

An LLP is an alternative corporate business structure providing the benefits of limited liability but allowing its members the flexibility of organising their internal structure and tax arrangements as a traditional partnership.

Any new or existing firm of two or more persons (in law a person can be an individual or a company) can incorporate as an LLP. An LLP is incorporated by registration at Companies House (following a similar process to that required for registering a company).

LLPs have similar disclosure requirements to a company, including the filing of accounts. They are also required to:

 

  • file an annual return, and
  • notify Companies House of any changes to the LLPs membership, any changes to members names and residential addresses and any changes to the Registered Office address.

Joint ventures

An overseas company can form a base in the UK by joining with a UK company. Such joint ventures (JVs) are usually made with limited companies or established as a partnership.

Information on possible JV partners is available from the relevant UK trade association.

European public limited company

European Union legislation allows overseas companies to establish a European public limited company (also known as a Societas Europaea or SE) in the UK. An SE can be registered in any country within the European Economic Area although the registered office and head office must be in the same country.

There are several ways of forming an SE:

 

  • By merger
  • As a holding company
  • As a subsidiary
  • By a plc transforming into an SE.

 

An SE must have share capital and shareholders whose liability is limited in a similar manner to that of a plc. As with a plc, an SE registered in the UK may denominate its share capital in any currency it chooses, provided that at least £50,000 is denominated in sterling.

The major benefit of an SE is that the registered office can be transferred to another European country without a loss of legal status (avoiding, for example, the requirement to deregister the company in one country and reregister in another).

Choosing a company name

Regulations restrict the choice of a company name. A company name cannot be chosen if it is the same as an existing registered company or uses certain words regarded as sensitive.

Before applying to set up a company, or doing anything to change its name, it is recommended that a search of the company name index is undertaken at www.companieshouse.gov.uk.

* Information courtesy of www.ukti.gov.uk (correct as of March, 2010).

Click here to Ask an Expert about Company Formation in United Kingdom

Organisations that can assist with Company Formation

  • > Paul Beare Ltd

    Paul Beare Ltd are UK based accountants and legal advisors to overseas companies setting up in the UK. They work with companies either entering, or already operating in the UK.

    More Details Visit Website
  • > Nexus

    Nexus provides a bespoke advisory service across a range of areas for international clients. We combine a fresh approach with professionalism and expertise, offering a comprehensive, tailored services in today’s global and competitive market.

    More Details Visit Website
  • > MYCO Works

    Registered Office Address, Director Service Address, Virtual Office Address, Company Formations, Ready Made Companies, Meeting Space and Telephone Answering services.

    More Details Visit Website
  • > Nominus.com

    When expanding your business to the UK, don’t forget to protect your brand. We provide Trademark Registration Services in the UK and in the entire European Union.

    More Details Visit Website

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