Restrictions on Company and Trading Names

Businesses and others are invited to give their views on whether the rules regulating limited company, limited liability partnership, and trading or business names are still required, or need changing.

Company law restricts the use of certain words and phrases in limited company, limited liability partnership and business/trading names, either absolutely or unless permission has been given either by Companies House or a body named in the relevant rules.

The aim is to prevent the public being misled by names that “falsely conveying authority, status or pre-eminence”, to ensure they know the legal status of a business they are dealing with and, if it is a limited company or LLP, that they can find it on the public record at Companies House.

The Government is consulting on whether these rules are fit for purpose – whether they are still required and/or need changing. Views are sought from businesses subject to the rules, their suppliers and customers, and public sector bodies.

The consultation ends on 22 May 2013.

Recommendation

Download the consultation document and response form from the gov.uk website.