News and Events
New Powers to Challenge Company Names: for Community Interest Companies
Companies House
Companies House have released guidance on their ability to challenge new companies setting up with similar names to an existing organisation. Names cannot be the same as or too similar to an existing name, and certain terms are restricted, such as terms implying a connection to the UK government or using a sensitive word or expression.
Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, Companies House can now also reject an application to register a name where we have reason to believe:
- the name is intended to facilitate fraud
- the name is comprised of or contains a computer code
- the name is likely to give the false impression the company is connected to a foreign government or an international organisation whose members include two or more countries or territories (or their governments)
Failure to comply:
If a company does not respond to a direction to change their company name within 28 days, an offence is committed.
It’s also an offence to continue using a company name which we have directed to change.
To find the full blog with further information on company names please follow the link:
https://companieshouse.blog.gov.uk/2024/03/26/our-new-powers-to-challenge-and-change-company-names/