Search Legislation

The Company, Limited Liability Partnership and Business Names (Sensitive Words and Expressions) Regulations 2014

Changes over time for: The Company, Limited Liability Partnership and Business Names (Sensitive Words and Expressions) Regulations 2014

 Help about opening options

Version Superseded: 03/05/2023

Status:

Point in time view as at 11/04/2018.

Changes to legislation:

There are currently no known outstanding effects for the The Company, Limited Liability Partnership and Business Names (Sensitive Words and Expressions) Regulations 2014. Help about Changes to Legislation

Close

Changes to Legislation

Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. At the current time any known changes or effects made by subsequent legislation have been applied to the text of the legislation you are viewing by the editorial team. Please see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ for details regarding the timescales for which new effects are identified and recorded on this site.

Statutory Instruments

2014 No. 3140

Companies

Limited Liability Partnerships

Business Names

The Company, Limited Liability Partnership and Business Names (Sensitive Words and Expressions) Regulations 2014

Made

26th November 2014

Laid before Parliament

27th November 2014

Coming into force

31st January 2015

The Secretary of State makes the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 55(1), 56(1)(b), 1194(1), 1195(1)(b) and 1292(1) of the Companies Act 2006 M1 and sections 55(1), 56(1)(b) and 1292(1) of the Companies Act 2006 as applied to limited liability partnerships by regulations 8 and 81 of the Limited Liability Partnerships (Application of Companies Act 2006) Regulations 2009 M2.

Marginal Citations

M2S.I. 2009/1804, amended by S.I. 2009/2995; there are other amending instruments but none is relevant.

Citation and commencementU.K.

1.  These Regulations may be cited as the Company, Limited Liability Partnership and Business Names (Sensitive Words and Expressions) Regulations 2014 and come into force on 31st January 2015.

InterpretationU.K.

2.—(1) In these Regulations “the 2006 Act” means the Companies Act 2006.

(2) Any reference in these Regulations to section 55 or 88 of the 2006 Act includes a reference to that section as applied by regulation 8 or 17 of the Limited Liability Partnerships (Application of Companies Act 2006) Regulations 2009.

Specified words and expressions to which sections 55 and 1194 of the 2006 Act applyU.K.

3.  The following words and expressions are specified for the purposes of sections 55(1) and 1194(1) of the 2006 Act—

(a)the words and expressions set out in Part 1 of Schedule 1;

(b)the plural and possessive forms of those words and expressions, and, where relevant, the feminine form; and

(c)in the case of the words and expressions set out in Part 1 of Schedule 1 which are marked with an asterisk, the grammatically mutated forms of those words and expressions.

Specified words and expressions to which section 55 of the 2006 Act appliesU.K.

4.  The following words and expressions are specified for the purposes of section 55(1) of the 2006 Act—

(a)the words and expressions set out in Part 2 of Schedule 1;

(b)the plural and possessive forms of those words and expressions, and, where relevant, the feminine form; and

(c)in the case of the words and expressions set out in Part 2 of Schedule 1 which are marked with an asterisk, the grammatically mutated forms of those words and expressions.

Applications where situation of registered office or principal place of business is irrelevantU.K.

5.  In connection with an application for the approval of the Secretary of State under section 55 or 1194 of the 2006 Act in relation to a name that includes a word or expression specified in column (1) of Part 1 of Schedule 2, the applicant must seek the view of the Government department or other body set out opposite that word or expression in column (2) of Part 1 of Schedule 2.

Applications where situation of registered office or principal place of business is relevantU.K.

6.  In connection with an application for the approval of the Secretary of State under section 55 or 1194 of the 2006 Act in relation to a name that includes a word or expression specified in column (1) of Part 2 of Schedule 2, the applicant must seek the view of a Government department or other body as follows—

(a)in the case of—

(i)a company or limited liability partnership that has already been registered, whose registered office is situated in England and Wales;

(ii)a proposed company or limited liability partnership that has not yet been registered under the 2006 Act, whose registered office is to be situated in England and Wales;

(iii)a business, whose principal place of business is or is to be situated in England; and

(iv)an overseas company (see section 1044 of the 2006 Act),

the Government department or other body set out in column (2) of Part 2 of Schedule 2 opposite that word or expression;

(b)in the case of—

(i)a company or limited liability partnership that has already been registered, that is a Welsh company or Welsh LLP (see section 88 of the 2006 Act);

(ii)a proposed company or limited liability partnership that has not yet been registered, that is to be a Welsh company or Welsh LLP; and

(iii)a business, whose principal place of business is or is to be situated in Wales,

the Government department or other body set out in column (3) of Part 2 of Schedule 2 opposite that word or expression;

(c)in the case of—

(i)a company or limited liability partnership that has already been registered, whose registered office is situated in Scotland;

(ii)a proposed company or limited liability partnership that has not yet been registered, whose registered office is to be situated in Scotland; and

(iii)a business, whose principal place of business is or is to be situated in Scotland,

the Government department or other body set out in column (4) of Part 2 of Schedule 2 opposite that word or expression; and

(d)in the case of—

(i)a company or limited liability partnership that has already been registered, whose registered office is situated in Northern Ireland;

(ii)a proposed company or limited liability partnership that has not yet been registered, whose registered office is to be situated in Northern Ireland; and

(iii)a business, whose principal place of business is or is to be situated in Northern Ireland,

the Government department or other body set out in column (5) of Part 2 of Schedule 2 opposite that word or expression.

RevocationU.K.

7.  The Company, Limited Liability Partnership and Business Names (Sensitive Words and Expressions) Regulations 2009 M3 are revoked.

Marginal Citations

Jo Swinson

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Employment Relations and Consumer Affairs

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

Regulations 3 and 4

SCHEDULE 1U.K.SPECIFIED WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS

PART 1 U.K.Words and Expressions specified for the purposes of sections 55(1) and 1194(1) of the 2006 Act

Accredit
Accreditation
Accredited
Accrediting
Adjudicator
Association
Assurance
Assurer
Audit office
Auditor General
*Banc
Bank
Banking
Benevolent
*Breatannach
*Breatainn
*Brenhinol
*Brenin
*Brenhiniaeth
Britain
British
Chamber of commerce
Charitable
Charity
Charter
Chartered
Child maintenance
Child support
*Coimisean
*Comhairle
*Comisiwn
Commission
Co-operative
Council
*Cyngor
Dental
Dentistry
*Diùc
*Dug
Duke
Ei Fawrhydi
England
English
Federation
Friendly Society
Foundation
Fund
Government
*Gwasanaeth iechyd
Health centre
Health service
Health visitor
His Majesty
HPSS
HSC
Inspectorate
Institute
Institution
Insurance
Insurer
Judicial appointment
King
Licensing
*Llywodraeth
Medical centre
Midwife
Midwifery
*Mòrachd
Mutual
NHS
Northern Ireland
Northern Irish
Nurse
Nursing
Oifis sgrùdaidh
*Oilthigh
Ombudsman
*Ombwdsmon
*Parlamaid
Parliament
Parliamentarian
Parliamentary
Patent
Patentee
Police
Polytechnic
Post office
*Prifysgol
Prince
*Prionnsa
*Prydain
*Prydeinig
Queen
Reassurance
Reassurer
Registrar
Regulator
Reinsurance
Reinsurer
*Riaghaltas
*Rìgh
Rìoghachd Aonaichte
Rìoghail
Rìoghalachd
Royal
Royalty
Scotland
Scottish
Senedd
Sheffield
Siambr fasnach
Social service
Society
Special school
Standards
Stock exchange
Swyddfa archwilio
*Teyrnas Gyfunol
*Teyrnas Unedig
Trade union
Tribunal
Trust
*Tywysog
Underwrite
Underwriting
University
Wales
Welsh
Windsor

PART 2 U.K.Words and Expressions specified for the purposes of section 55(1) of the 2006 Act

Alba
Albannach
Na h-Alba
*Cymru
*Cymraeg
*Cymreig

Regulations 5 and 6

SCHEDULE 2U.K.LIST OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND OTHER BODIES WHOSE VIEWS MUST BE SOUGHT

PART 1U.K.Applications Where Situation of Registered Office or Principal Place of Business is Irrelevant

Column (1)Column (2)
Word or expression specified under regulation 3Specified Government department or other body whose view must be sought
Accredit [F1Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy]
Accreditation [F1Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy]
Accredited [F1Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy]
Accrediting [F1Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy]
AssuranceFinancial Conduct Authority
AssurerFinancial Conduct Authority
BancFinancial Conduct Authority
BankFinancial Conduct Authority
BankingFinancial Conduct Authority
BrenhinolThe Welsh Assembly Government
BreninThe Welsh Assembly Government
BrenhiniaethThe Welsh Assembly Government
Child maintenanceDepartment for Work and Pensions
Child supportDepartment for Work and Pensions
DentalGeneral Dental Council
DentistryGeneral Dental Council
DiùcThe Scottish Government
DugThe Welsh Assembly Government
Ei FawrhydiThe Welsh Assembly Government
Friendly SocietyFinancial Conduct Authority
FundFinancial Conduct Authority
Gwasanaeth iechydThe Welsh Assembly Government
Health visitorNursing & Midwifery Council
HPSSDepartment of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
HSCDepartment of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
InsuranceFinancial Conduct Authority
InsurerFinancial Conduct Authority
Judicial appointmentMinistry of Justice
LlywodraethThe Welsh Assembly Government
Medical centreDepartment of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
MidwifeNursing & Midwifery Council
MidwiferyNursing & Midwifery Council
MòrachdThe Scottish Government
MutualFinancial Conduct Authority
NHSDepartment of Health [F2and Social Care]
NurseNursing & Midwifery Council
NursingNursing & Midwifery Council
Oifis sgrùdaidhAudit Scotland
OilthighThe Scottish Government
ParlamaidThe Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body
ParliamentThe Corporate Officer of the House of Lords and The Corporate Officer of the House of Commons
ParliamentarianThe Corporate Officer of the House of Lords and The Corporate Officer of the House of Commons
ParliamentaryThe Corporate Officer of the House of Lords and The Corporate Officer of the House of Commons
PatentThe Patent Office
PatenteeThe Patent Office
Polytechnic [F3Department for Education]
PrifysgolThe Welsh Assembly Government
PrionnsaThe Scottish Government
ReassuranceFinancial Conduct Authority
ReassurerFinancial Conduct Authority
ReinsuranceFinancial Conduct Authority
ReinsurerFinancial Conduct Authority
RiaghaltasThe Scottish Government
RìghThe Scottish Government
RìoghailThe Scottish Government
RìoghalachdThe Scottish Government
SeneddThe National Assembly for Wales
SheffieldThe Company of Cutlers in Hallamshire
Swyddfa archwilioAuditor General for Wales
TywysogThe Welsh Assembly Government
UnderwriteFinancial Conduct Authority
UnderwritingFinancial Conduct Authority

PART 2U.K.Applications Where Situation of Registered Office or Principal Place of Business is Relevant

Column (1)Column (2)Column (3)Column (4)Column (5)
Word or expression specified under regulation 3Specified Government department or other body whose view must be sought
under regulation 6(a)under regulation 6(b)under regulation 6(c)under regulation 6(d)
Audit officeComptroller & Auditor GeneralAuditor General for WalesAudit ScotlandNorthern Ireland Audit Office
Charitable CharityThe Charity CommissionThe Charity CommissionOffice of the Scottish Charity RegulatorThe Charity Commission

Duke

His Majesty

King

Prince

Queen

Royal

Royalty

Windsor

Ministry of JusticeThe Welsh Assembly GovernmentThe Scottish GovernmentMinistry of Justice

Health centre

Health service

Department of Health [F4and Social Care]The Welsh Assembly GovernmentThe Scottish GovernmentDepartment of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
PoliceThe Home OfficeThe Home OfficeThe Scottish GovernmentDepartment of Justice in Northern Ireland
Special schoolDepartment for EducationThe Welsh Assembly GovernmentThe Scottish GovernmentDepartment of Education
University [F5Department for Education]The Welsh Assembly GovernmentThe Scottish GovernmentDepartment for Employment and Learning

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

Under sections 55(1) and 1194(1) of the Companies Act 2006 (“the Act”), including section 55(1) as applied to limited liability partnerships (“LLPs”) by regulation 8 of the Limited Liability Partnerships (Application of Companies Act 2006) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/1804), a person must obtain the approval of the Secretary of State to register a company or LLP by a name, or carry on business in the United Kingdom under a name, that includes a word or expression that is specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State.

Part 1 of Schedule 1 to these Regulations sets out which words and expressions are specified by the Secretary of State as requiring prior approval for use in the names of companies, LLPs and businesses, and Part 2 of Schedule 1 sets out words and expressions that the Secretary of State is specifying as requiring prior approval when used in the names of companies or LLPs only.

Regulations 3(1)(b) and (c) and 4(b) and (c) provide that the specified words and expressions are specified in all their plural, possessive and (where relevant) feminine forms, and, in the case of Gaelic and Welsh words, in their grammatically mutated forms.

Sections 56(1) and 1195(1) of the Act, including section 56(1) as applied to LLPs, give the Secretary of State the power to require that, in connection with an application for use of a sensitive word or expression, the applicant must seek the view of a specified Government department or other body. Schedule 2 lists the Government departments and other bodies whose views must be sought. Part 2 of Schedule 2 identifies the relevant Government department or public authority whose view must be sought where the situation of the company's or LLP's registered office is relevant. The reference in regulation 6(a)(i) to a registered office which is situated in England and Wales arises because England and Wales are usually treated in the Act as a single jurisdiction for the purposes of the situation of the registered office. However, a company whose registered office is situated in Wales can require the register of companies to state that its registered office is situated in Wales. In this case, the company will be governed by regulation 6(b)(i) rather than regulation 6(a)(i). The position is similar for an LLP whose registered office is situated in Wales. Since overseas companies are not required by the Overseas Companies Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/1801) to register in a specified part of the United Kingdom, they are treated for the purposes of regulation 6 in the same way as companies registered in England and Wales.

An Impact Assessment in respect of these Regulations has been produced and copies are available from the Business Environment Directorate, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, 1 Victoria Street, London, SW1H 0ET or on www.bis.gov.uk.

Back to top

Options/Help

Print Options

Close

Legislation is available in different versions:

Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.

Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.

Point in Time: This becomes available after navigating to view revised legislation as it stood at a certain point in time via Advanced Features > Show Timeline of Changes or via a point in time advanced search.

Close

See additional information alongside the content

Geographical Extent: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

Show Timeline of Changes: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.

Close

Opening Options

Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once

Close

Explanatory Memorandum

Explanatory Memorandum sets out a brief statement of the purpose of a Statutory Instrument and provides information about its policy objective and policy implications. They aim to make the Statutory Instrument accessible to readers who are not legally qualified and accompany any Statutory Instrument or Draft Statutory Instrument laid before Parliament from June 2004 onwards.

Close

More Resources

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • correction slips
  • links to related legislation and further information resources
Close

Impact Assessments

Impact Assessments generally accompany all UK Government interventions of a regulatory nature that affect the private sector, civil society organisations and public services. They apply regardless of whether the regulation originates from a domestic or international source and can accompany primary (Acts etc) and secondary legislation (SIs). An Impact Assessment allows those with an interest in the policy area to understand:

  • Why the government is proposing to intervene;
  • The main options the government is considering, and which one is preferred;
  • How and to what extent new policies may impact on them; and,
  • The estimated costs and benefits of proposed measures.
Close

Timeline of Changes

This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.

Close

More Resources

Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as made version that was used for the print copy
  • correction slips

Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:

  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • links to related legislation and further information resources