Registration of a company

What does a Ltd or Limited company mean? In other words, it is a company with limited liability (also known as LLC). It is a legal entity with limited liability — one of the most popular forms of company registration in England and across the United Kingdom.

One of the most appealing things about starting a Ltd (Limited) company is that no share capital is required. Citizens of other countries are also welcome to set up such a company — and we provide qualified advice to founders living abroad.

Among the several forms of setting up a business, this is the most common: with limited liability you, as an individual, are not liable for the company’s financial obligations with your personal assets.

Company registration — what do you need to provide?

• Come up with the title of the company.
• Provide proof of the founder/director’s registration address.
• Decide who will be the company director.
• Name the types of activities of the company in accordance with the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code.

You will also need a deed of incorporation, signed by all the company’s founders (shareholders). The deed states the founders’ agreement to establish the company under the 2006 Companies Act and to obtain at least one share of the company.

Equally important are the articles of association — the document that establishes the company’s operating rules and the rights and responsibilities of managers and shareholders. Articles can be tailored to your company’s needs, or you can use the standard articles available free of charge on the Companies House website. Standard articles are usually sufficient for new businesses.

One of the most appealing things about setting up a company in the UK is that no share capital is required.

After registration

Once the company is registered with Companies House, a certificate of registration is issued, stating the name of the company, its registration number and the date of incorporation. This certificate confirms that the registration formalities have been completed correctly. From this day, the founders can perform all the functions of an operating company. Any operations under the company’s name are legal only after registration — and at your request we can set up a company in a matter of 2–3 hours.

The business model you choose depends on the kind of business you do. It can affect how taxes are paid and how funding is acquired. Most public limited companies are “restricted by shares” — their shareholders have certain rights, for example a director may need a shareholder vote to agree on changes in the company.

Other forms of registration are: public or sole proprietorship; unlimited liability; limited liability under shares; and limited liability under guarantee. Please contact us directly regarding the registration of a specific activity or the registration of a charity.

We will gladly advise you and answer all pertinent questions. Should you decide to entrust the bookkeeping to us, we will register the company free of charge after signing a service contract.

We will gladly advise you and answer all pertinent questions. Should you decide to entrust the bookkeeping to us, we will register the company free of charge after signing a service contract.