UK Companies - General Information

Principal Corporate Legislation
Companies Act 2006,  Limited Liability Partnership Act 2000, The Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 as amended.

Type of Law
Common.

Language of Legislation and Corporate Documents
English.

Type of Company for International Trade, Investment & Tax Planning
Private Limited Company
Limited Liability Partnership

UK Private Limited Company

Share Capital
There is no concept of authorised share capital in the Companies Act 2006.
Standard authorised share capital is GBP 100. Minimum paid up share capital is GBP1.

Classes of Share Available
Registered shares,  preference shares, deferred shares, redeemable shares and shares with or without voting rights.

Bearer Shares
Not permitted.

Restrictions on Trading
Banking, insurance, assurance, reinsurance, fund management, collective investment schemes, trust management, trusteeship business provision are not permitted.

Registered Office Required
Yes, must be maintained in the UK.

Directors
The minimum number of directors is one. Director can be of any nationality and need not be resident in the UK. Corporate directors are permitted but a company must have at least one director who is an individual.

Shareholders
The minimum number of shareholders is one.

Publicly Accessible Records
Yes.

Nominee Shareholders and Nominee Directors
Allowed.

Location of Meetings of Directors and Shareholders
Anywhere.

Disclosure of Beneficial Ownership to Authorities
No.

Taxation
20-26%.

Double Taxation Treaty Access
Yes.

Requirements to File Accounts
Yes.

Requirement to File Annual Return
Yes.

Audit Requirements
Yes, but small company exceptions.

Currency
GBP.

Exchange Control
None.

Language of Name
English.

Required Words
Words such as "Assurance", "Bank", "Building Society", "Royal", "Trust Company", "Trustee Company" etc. will require justification.

Name of a Company
The words "Limited" or "Ltd" must be part of the name of every company.

Time to Incorporate
Two days. A guaranteed sameday incorporation is also available.

Cost of Formation

* All prices are subject to change without notice.

UK Limited Liability Partnership

Capital
The minimum capital contribution is ВЈ2.

Restrictions on Trading
Banking, insurance, assurance, reinsurance, fund management, collective investment schemes, trust management, trusteeship business provision are not permitted.

Registered Office Required
Yes, must be maintained in the UK.

Directors
Not Applicable.

Designated Members
The minimum number of designated members is two (designated members are analogous to the executive directors of a company).

Publicly Accessible Records
Yes.

Nominee Designated Members
Allowed.

Location of Meetings of Designated Members
Anywhere.

Disclosure of Beneficial Ownership to Authorities
No.

Taxation
Fiscally Transparent.

Double Taxation Treaty Access
No.

Requirements to File Accounts
Yes.

Requirement to File Annual Return
Yes.

Audit Requirements
Yes, but small company exceptions.

Currency
GBP.

Exchange Control
None.

Language of Name
English.

Required Words
Words such as "Assurance", "Bank", "Building Society", "Royal", "Trust Company", "Trustee Company" etc. will require justification.

Name of a Company
The words "Limited Liability Partnership" or "LLP" must be part of the name of every company.

Time to Incorporate
Two days.

Cost of Formation