Companies Act 1985

1985 c. 6

An Act to consolidate the greater part of the Companies Acts.

C1C2C3C4C5C6C7C8C9C10C11C12C13C14C15C16C17C18C19C20C21C22C23C24C25C26C27C28C29E1C30C31C32C33C34C35C36C37C38C39C40C41C42C43C44C45C46C47C48C49E2C50C51C52C53C54C55C56C57C58C59C60C61C62C63C64C65C66C67C68C69C70C71C72C73C74C75C76C77C78C79C80C81C82C83C84C85C86C87C88C89C90Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

Annotations:
Extent Information
E1

Act: for extent see s. 745(1)(2)

E2

Act extended (Northern Ireland) (1.1.2007, 20.1.2007, 6.4.2007, 30.9.2007, 1.10.2007, 1.11.2007, 15.12.2007, 6.4.2008 and 1.10.2008 for certain purposes and otherwise 1.10.2009) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1284(1), 1300; S.I. 2006/3428, art. 3(2)(e) (subject to art. 5, Sch. 1 and with arts. 6, 8, Sch. 5 (as amended by S.I. 2007/3495, art. 11, Sch. 5)); S.I. 2007/1093, art. 2(1)(e); S.I. 2007/2194, arts. 2-5 (with art. 12); S.I. 2007/2607, art. 2(2); S.I. 2007/3495, arts. 3, 5 (with arts. 7, 12); S.I. 2008/1886 arts. 1(3), {2(d)} (with arts. 6, 7); S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(z) (with arts. 5, 7, 8, Sch. 2 (as amended by S.I. 2009/1802, art. 18, Sch., S.I. 2009/1802, art. 18, Sch.))

Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C3

Act applied (with modifications) by S.I. 1985/680, regs. 4-6, Sch.

Act applied (with modifications) by S.I. 1986/2142, arts. 1(2), 13(3)(4)(6), Sch. 2

C4

Act modified by S.I. 1985/724, regs. 2(3)(4), 6(1)

C11

Act applied with modifications by Insolvency Act 1986 (c. 45, SIF 66), s. 221

C17

Act modified by British Steel Act 1988 (c. 35, SIF 70) s. 3(3)(b)

C19

Act modified by S.I. 1989/638, regs. 8(1), 21

Act modified (27. 12. 1991) by S.I. 1991/2908, art. 2, Sch. paras. 4(2),6

C20

Act amended by S.I. 1989/638, regs. 12(1), 21

C27

Act applied with modifications by S.I. 1990/2570, regs. 3(1)(4), 16(1)

C28

Act amended by S.I. 1990/2570, regs. 8(1), 9

C29

Act modified by S.I. 1990/2570, reg. 10(5)

C30

Act excluded by Smith Kline & French Laboratories, Australia, and Menley & James, Australia, Act 1991 (c. i), s. 4(1)(b)

C32

Act applied (with modifications) by S.I. 1991/823, reg. 3.

C33

Act modified (27.6.1991) by Ports Act 1991 (c. 52, SIF 58), s. 3(4)(b)

C34

Act: definitions applied (S.) (27. 11. 1991) by Natural Heritage (Scotland) Act 1991 (c. 28, SIF 46:1), s. 2(1)(e); S.I. 1991/2633, art. 3, Sch.

C35

Act: definition of "debentures" applied (E.W.) (1.12.1991) by Statutory Water Companies Act 1991 (c. 58, SIF 130), ss. 13(7), 17(2)

Act applied (except s. 83 and s. 84 in part) (19.6.1995) by S.I. 1995/1537, reg. 20, Sch. 4 Pt. III para. 11

Act applied (21.3.1997) by 1986 c. 53, s. 101(6) (as substituted (21.3.1997) by 1997 c. 32, s. 41)

Act: certain provisions applied (E.W.) (7.10.2001) by S.I. 2001/3352, rule 4.11(5)

C36

Act: definition of "company" applied (E.W.) (1.12.1991) by Water Industry Act 1991 (c. 56, SIF 130), ss. 219(1), 223(2) (with ss. 82(3), 186(1), 222(1))

C37

Act: definition of "company" applied (E.W.) (1.12.1991) by Statutory Water Companies Act 1991 (c. 58, SIF 130), ss. 9(3), 17(2)

C39

Act: definitions of "extraordinary resolution", "registrar of companies" and "special resolution" applied (E.W.) (1.12.1991) by Statutory Water Companies Act 1991 (c. 58, SIF 130), ss. 12(8), 17(2)

C41

Act extended (with modifications) (19.12.1993) by S.I. 1993/3245, reg.3

C42

Act modified (31.10.1994) by 1994 c. 21, s. 15, Sch. 3 para. 2(4)(b) (with s. 40(7)); S.I. 1994/2552, art. 2, Sch. 1

Act modified (31.10.1994) by 1994 c. 21, s. 67(1), Sch. 9 para. 32 (with s. 40(7)); S.I. 1994/2553, art. 2

Act modified (8.11.1995) by 1995 c. 37, s. 6, Sch. 2 para. 1(5)(b)

Act modified (8.11.1995) by 1995 c. 45, s. 17(1), Sch. 5 Pt. I paras. 1, 8(c)

Act modified (27.7.1999) by 1999 c. 20, s. 5(1), Sch. 2 Pt. II (with s. 15)

Act modified (27.7.1999) by 1999 c. 20, s. 6(2)(b) (with s. 15)

Act modified (temp. from 27.7.1999) by 1999 c. 20, s. 16(1)(4)(b) (with s. 15)

Act modified (6.11.2000) by 2000 c. 26, s. 63(7)(b); S.I. 2000/2957, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 (with transitional provisions in arts. 3-8)

Act modified (16.2.2001) by 2000 c. 27, s. 108, Sch. 7 paras. 8, 9; S.I. 2001/1781, art. 2, Sch. (subject to transitional provisions in arts. 3-10)

Act modified (5.10.2004) by Energy Act 2004 (c. 20), ss. 39, 198(2), Sch. 6 para. 2(4)(c) (with s. 38(2)); S.I. 2004/2575, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

C43

Act amended (8.11.1995) by 1995 c. 37, s. 6, Sch. 2 para. 14

C44

Act excluded and modified (31.3.1996) by 1995 c. 20, s. 110(1), Sch. 4 para. 3(3)(7) (which amendment was repealed (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 40, s. 6(1), Sch. 5)

C45

Act excluded (3.2.1995) by 1994 c. 37, ss. 66(1), 69(2), Sch. 2 para. 6 (with s. 66(2))

Act excluded (31.3.1996) by 1995 c. 20, s. 110(1), Sch. 4 para. 4(3)(5) (which amendment was repealed (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 40, s. 6(1), Sch. 5)

Act excluded (in part) (E.W.) (17.6.1996) by 1996 c. ii, s. 4(2)

Act excluded (E.W.) (1.10.1996) by 1996 c. 52, s. 7, Sch. 1 Pt. II para. 15(2) (with s. 51(4)); S.I. 1996/2402, art. 3 (subject to transitional provisions and savings in Sch.)

Act excluded (S.) (1.11.2001) by 2001 asp 10, s. 63, Sch. 7 Pt. II para. 12(3); S.S.I. 2001/336, art. 2(1)(3), Sch. Pt. II (subject to transitional provisions and savings in art. 3)

Act excluded (S.) (17.12.2001) by 2001 asp 13, s. 20, Sch. 6 para. 9(5) (with s. 29); S.S.I. 2001/456, art. 2

Act excluded (E.W.N.I.) (1.9.2001) by 2001 c. 17, s. 38, Sch. 6 para. 11(5) (with ss. 27(3), 39, 78); S.I. 2001/2161, art. 3

Act excluded (24.3.2003) by Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (c. 29), ss. 426(10)(a), 458(1)(3); S.I. 2003/333, art. 2, Sch. 1 (as amended by S.I. 2003/531)

C46

Act extended (6.1.1997) by S.I. 1996/2827, reg. 2(4)

C47

Act applied (with modifications) (1.6.1998) by 1998 c. 11, s. 7(3)(9); S.I. 1998/1120, art. 2

C48

Act: specified provisions applied (with modifications) (6.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/1090, reg. 4(1), Sch. 2 Pt. 1 (as amended (1.10.2009) by S.I. 2009/1804, reg. 85, Sch. 3 para. 13(3)(5) (as amended by S.I. 2009/1833, reg. 2(2)))

C49

Act modified (1.1.2007, 20.1.2007, 6.4.2007, 1.10.2007, 1.11.2007, 15.12.2007, 6.4.2008, 1.10.2008 for certain purposes, otherwise 1.10.2009) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1168, 1173, 1300; S.I. 2006/3428, arts. 2(2)(f)(g), 3(2)(c)(d) (subject to Sch. 1, and with art. 6, and with transitional provisions and savings in art. 8, Sch. 5) (as amended by S.I. 2007/3495, art. 11, Sch. 5 and S.I. 2008/2860, art. 6); S.I. 2007/1093, arts. 2(2)(g)(h) (with arts. 4, 11(1) and subject to transitional adaptations in Sch. 1) (as amended by S.I. 2008/2194, arts. 2(3)(j)(k)3(2)(d), 4(2)(a), (with saving in art. 12 and with transitional provisions and savings in Sch. 3 and subject to transitional adaptations specified in Sch. 1) (as amended by S.I. 2007/2607, art. 4); S.I. 2007/3495, arts. 3(3)(i)(j), 5(3)(b)(c) (with transitional provisions in arts. 6, 9, Sch. 4 and with savings in arts. 7, 12 and with transitional adaptations in Sch. 1) (as amended by S.I. 2008/1886, Sch. 4 para. 15); S.I. 2008/2860, art. 2(u) (with arts. 5, 7, 8, Sch. 2 (as amended by S.I. 2009/1802, art. 18, Sch., S.I. 2009/1941, art. 13, S.I. 2009/2476, art. 2))

C50

Act: power to apply conferred (20.1.2007 for certain purposes and otherwise 1.10.2009) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1042, 1300; S.I. 2006/3428, art. 3(3) (subject to art. 5, Sch. 1 and with arts. 6, 8, Sch. 5 (as amended by S.I. 2007/3495, art. 11, Sch. 5)); S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(p) (with arts. 5, 7, 8, Sch. 2 (as amended by S.I. 2009/1802, art. 18, Sch.))

C51

Act: power to apply (with modifications) conferred (20.1.2007 for specified purposes and 6.4.2007 otherwise) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1043(2), 1300; S.I. 2006/3428, art. 3(3), (subject to art. 5, Sch. 1 and with arts. 6, 8, Sch. 5 (as amended by S.I. 2007/3495, art. 11, Sch. 5)); S.I. 2007/1093, art. 2(1)(c)

C52

Act excluded (20.1.2007, 6.4.2007, 1.10.2007, 6.4.2008 and 1.10.2008 for certain purposes and otherwise 1.10.2009) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1129, 1300 (with s. 1133); S.I. 2006/3428, art. 3(2)(b) (subject to art. 5, Sch. 1 and with arts. 6, 8, Sch. 5 (as amended by S.I. 2007/3495, art. 11, Sch. 5)); S.I. 2007/1093, art. 2(2)(c); S.I. 2007/2194, art. 2(1)(l)(3)(h) (with art. 12); S.I. 2007/3495, arts. 3(3)(g), 5(3)(a) (with arts. 7, 12); S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(s) (with arts. 5, 7, 8, Sch. 2 (as amended by S.I. 2009/1802, art. 18, Sch.))

C53

Act modified (20.1.2007 for certain purposes and otherwise 1.10.2009) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 583, 1300; S.I. 2006/3428, art. 3(3) (subject to art. 5, Sch. 1 and with arts. 6, 8, Sch. 5 (as amended by S.I. 2007/3495, art. 11, Sch. 5)); S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(k) (with arts. 5, 7, 8, Sch. 2 (as amended by S.I. 2009/1802, art. 18, Sch.))

C54

Act modified (20.1.2007 for certain purposes and otherwise 1.10.2009) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1081(6), 1300; S.I. 2006/3428, art. 3(3) (subject to art. 5, Sch. 1 and with arts. 6, 8, Sch. 5 (as amended by S.I. 2007/3495, art. 11, Sch. 5)); S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(r) (with arts. 5, 7, 8, Sch. 2 (as amended by S.I. 2009/1802, art. 18, Sch.))

C55

Act modified (20.1.2007, 6.4.2007, 1.10.2007, 6.4.2008 and 1.10.2008 for certain purposes and otherwise 1.10.2009) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1125(1), 1300 (with s. 1133); S.I. 2006/3428, art. 3(2)(b) (subject to art. 5, Sch. 1 and with arts. 6, 8, Sch. 5 (as amended by S.I. 2007/3495, art. 11, Sch. 5)); S.I. 2007/1093, art. 2(2)(c); S.I. 2007/2194, art. 2(1)(l)(3)(h) (with art. 12, Sch. 3 para. 48 and subject to Sch. 1); S.I. 2007/3495, arts. 3(3)(g), 5(3)(a) (with arts. 7, 12); S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(s) (with arts. 5, 7, 8, Sch. 2 (as amended by S.I. 2009/1802, art. 18, Sch.))

C56

Act modified (20.1.2007, 6.4.2007, 1.10.2007, 6.4.2008 and 1.10.2008 for certain purposes and otherwise 1.10.2009) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1131, 1300 (with s. 1133); S.I. 2006/3428, art. 3(2)(b) (subject to art. 5, Sch. 1 and with arts. 6, 8, Sch. 5 (as amended by S.I. 2007/3495, art. 11, Sch. 5)); S.I. 2007/1093, art. 2(2)(c); S.I. 2007/2194, art. 2(1)(l)(3)(h) (with art. 12); S.I. 2007/3495, arts. 3(3)(g), 5(3)(a) (with arts. 7, 12); S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(s) (with arts. 5, 7, 8, Sch. 2 (as amended by S.I. 2009/1802, art. 18, Sch.))

C57

Act restricted (20.1.2007 for certain purposes and otherwise 1.10.2009) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1156(2), 1300; S.I. 2006/3428, art. 3(3) (subject to art. 5, Sch. 1 and with arts. 6, 8, Sch. 5 (as amended by S.I. 2007/3495, art. 11, Sch. 5)); S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(t) (with arts. 5, 7, 8, Sch. 2 (as amended by S.I. 2009/1802, art. 18, Sch.))

C58

Act modified (6.4.2007, 1.10.2007, 1.11.2007 and 6.4.2008 for certain purposes and otherwise 1.10.2009) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 546, 1300; S.I. 2007/1093, art. 2(2)(a); S.I. 2007/2194, arts. 2(3)(e), 3(2)(b) (with art. 12); S.I. 2007/3495, art. 3(3)(d) (with arts. 7, 12); S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(k) (with arts. 5, 7, 8, Sch. 2 (as amended by S.I. 2009/1802, art. 18, Sch.))

C59

Act modified (6.4.2007 for certain purposes and otherwise 1.10.2009) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 558, 1300 (with s. 559); S.I. 2007/1093, art. 2(2)(b); S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(k) (with arts. 5, 7, 8, Sch. 2 (as amended by S.I. 2009/1802, art. 18, Sch.))

C60

Act modified (6.4.2007 for certain purposes and otherwise 1.10.2009) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1060(3)(4), 1300; S.I. 2006/3428, art. 4(3)(a) (subject to art. 5, Sch. 1 and with arts. 6, 8, Sch. 5 (as amended by S.I. 2007/3495, art. 11, Sch. 5)); S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(r) (with arts. 5, 7, 8, Sch. 2 (as amended by S.I. 2009/1802, art. 18, Sch.))

C61

Act modified (6.4.2007) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46) {ss. 1170}, 1300; S.I. 2007/1093, art. 2(1)(d) (with arts. 3, 11(1) and with savings in Sch. 6) (as amended by S.I. 2003/2860, art. 6)

C62

Act modified (6.4.2007) by The Companies Acts (Unregistered Companies) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/318), regs. {4}, {5} (with reg. 6)

C63

Act modified (30.9.2007) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46) {ss. 1167}, 1300; S.I. 2007/2607, art. 2(1) (with art. 3)

C64

Act modified (1.10.2007) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 288(1), 1300 (with s. 281(4)); S.I. 2007/2194, art. 2(1)(f) (with art. 12, Sch. 3 para. 24 and subject to Sch. 1)

C65

Act modified (1.10.2007 and 6.4.2008 for certain purposes and otherwise 1.10.2009) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 540(1)(4), 1300; S.I. 2007/2194, art. 2(3)(c) (with art. 12); S.I. 2007/3495, art. 3(3)(b) (with arts. 7, 12); S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(k) (with arts. 5, 7, 8, Sch. 2 (as amended by S.I. 2009/1802, art. 18, Sch.))

C66

Act modified (1.10.2007 and 6.4.2008 for certain purposes and otherwise 1.10.2009) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 545, 1300; S.I. 2007/2194, art. 2(3)(d) (with art. 12); S.I. 2007/3495, art. 3(3)(c) (with arts. 7, 12); S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(k) (with arts. 5, 7, 8, Sch. 2 (as amended by S.I. 2009/1802, art. 18, Sch.))

C67

Act modified (1.10.2007 and 6.4.2008 for certain purposes and otherwise 1.10.2009) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 548, 1300; S.I. 2007/2194, art. 2(3)(f) (with art. 12); S.I. 2007/3495, art. 3(3)(e) (with arts. 7, 12); S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(k) (with arts. 5, 7, 8, Sch. 2 (as amended by S.I. 2009/1802, art. 18, Sch.))

C68

Act modified (1.10.2007 and 6.4.2008 for certain purposes and otherwise 1.10.2009) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 629, 1300; S.I. 2007/2194, art. 2(3)(g) (with art. 12); S.I. 2007/3495, art. 3(3)(f) (with arts. 7, 12); S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(k) (with arts. 5, 7, 8, Sch. 2 (as amended by S.I. 2009/1802, art. 18, Sch.))

C69

Act modified (1.10.2007 and 1.11.2007 for certain purposes and otherwise 1.10.2009) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1158, 1300; S.I. 2007/2194, arts. 2(3)(i), 3(2)(b) (with art. 12 and subject to Sch. 1); S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(u) (with arts. 5, 7, 8, Sch. 2 (as amended by S.I. 2009/1802, art. 18, Sch.))

C70

Act applied (30.11.2007 with application as mentioned in rule 3 of the amending S.I.) by The PPP Administration Order Rules 2007 (S.I. 2007/3141), rule 32(5)

C73

Act modified (6.4.2008 for certain purposes and otherwise 1.10.2009) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1161, 1162, 1171, 1173, 1174, 1300, Schs. 7, 8; S.I. 2007/3495, arts. 3(1)(o)(p)(q) (with arts. 6, 7, 9, 12, Sch. 4, and subject to Sch. 1) (as amended by S.I. 2008/1886, Sch 4 para. 15); S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(u) (with arts. 5, 7, 8, Sch. 2 (as amended by S.I. 2009/1802, art. 18, Sch.))

C77

Act modified (1.10.2009) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1163, 1166, 1171, 1174, 1300, Sch. 8; S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(u) (with arts. 5, 7, 8, Sch. 2) (as amended by S.I. 2009/1802 art. 18, S.I. 2009/1941, art. 13, S.I. 2009/2476, art. 2)

C78

Act modified (1.10.2009) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1(1), 1300; S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(a) (with arts. 5, 7, 8, Sch. 2 (as amended by S.I. 2009/1802, art. 18, Sch.))

C79

Act restricted (1.10.2009) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 6(2), 1300; S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(a) (with arts. 5, 7, 8, Sch. 2 (as amended by S.I. 2009/1802, art. 18, Sch.))

C80

Act modified (1.10.2009) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 547, 1300; S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(k) (with arts. 5, 7, 8, Sch. 2 (as amended by S.I. 2009/1802, art. 18, Sch.))

C81

Act modified (1.10.2009) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 724(5), 1300; S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(l) (with arts. 5, 7, 8, Sch. 2 (as amended by S.I. 2009/1802, art. 18, Sch.))

C82

Act modified (1.10.2009) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1044, 1300; S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(q) (with arts. 5, 7, 8, Sch. 2 (as amended by S.I. 2009/1802, art. 18, Sch.))

C83

Act restricted (1.10.2009) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1118, 1300; S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(r) (with arts. 5, 7, 8, Sch. 2 (as amended by S.I. 2009/1802, art. 18, Sch.))

C88

Act applied (with modifications) (1.10.2009) by The Unregistered Companies Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/2436), regs. 3-5, Sch. 1 para. 21 (with transitional provisions and savings in regs. 7, 9, Sch. 2)

C89

Act applied (with modifications) (1.10.2009) by The Companies (Companies Authorised to Register) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/2437), regs. 18-23 (with transitional provisions and savings in reg. 24)