Author: Lawjaw
Published: March 18, 2024
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This article is 1 year old.
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The Companies Act 2006 requires that companies are transparent with their details. It is vital that your legal identity is easily accessible and recognisable for anyone who interacts with you or wishes to do so.
Though often used interchangeably, a trading name is not the same as the company’s legal name. A company name represents the registered legal entity while a trading name is additionally used to enhance brand recognition and marketing.
You must include your company’s registered name, registered number, and address in all correspondence, documentation, and official publications. This means that invoices, order forms, emails, letters, and websites must offer the information that corresponds with the details on Companies House.
If a company neglects to comply without a reasonable excuse with these requirements, an offence is committed by every officer of the company in default. We have seen a director personally fined.
We recommend you review how your company is represented and ensure compliance.
The requirements are stipulated in the Company, Limited Liability Partnership and Business (Names and Trading Disclosures) Regulations 2015 and conveniently expressed in paragraphs 9 and 10 in the following guidance:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/incorporation-and-names/incorporation-and-names#disclosure-of-company-name-and-specified-other-information-trading-disclosures
