Companies Act 2006

Relevant to
Public and private companies and limited partnerships

Took effect on
20 January 2007

From 20 January 2007, some electronic communications provisions of the Companies Act 2006 will apply to all companies, both public and private.

This means you will be able to use e-communications such as email and websites to:

• communicate with shareholders - subject to shareholder approval
• investigate who has an interest in your shares
• file all basic documents with company registries
• ask for and receive any documents you wish to inspect

You will be able to continue to file documents in paper form if you wish. You must continue to communicate in paper form with shareholders who do not wish to be contacted electronically.

The Companies Act 1985 already requires the company's name to appear clearly in all its business letters, cheques and other documents. And, from 1 January 2007, a company's name should also appear clearly on all its websites. Also, the company's business letters, order forms and websites have to include fuller particulars, namely:

• the company's place of registration and registered number
• the address of its registered office
• in the case of an investment company, the fact that it is such a company
• in the case of a limited company exempt from the obligation to use the word 'limited' in its name, the fact that it is a limited company

All these requirements apply whether the document is in hard copy or electronic or any other form.

You should consult the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) website for further guidance.

• Companies Act information explained on the BIS website - Opens in a new window

Full title of regulation
The Companies (Registrar, Languages and Trading Disclosures) Regulations 2006; The Companies Act 2006 (Commencement No. 1, Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2006