Part 2

Community interest companies

Requirements

Community interest test and excluded companies
35
1
This section has effect for the purposes of this Part.
2
A company satisfies the community interest test if a reasonable person might consider that its activities are being carried on for the benefit of the community.
3
An object stated in the articles of a company is a community interest object of the company if a reasonable person might consider that the carrying on of activities by the company in furtherance of the object is for the benefit of the community.
4
Regulations may provide that activities of a description prescribed by the regulations are to be treated as being, or as not being, activities which a reasonable person might consider are activities carried on for the benefit of the community.
5
“Community” includes a section of the community (whether in the United Kingdom or anywhere else); and regulations may make provision about what does, does not or may constitute a section of the community.
6
A company is an excluded company if it is a company of a description prescribed by regulations.
S. 35 in force at 1.7.2005 by S.I. 2004/3322, art. 2(3), Sch. 3
Pt. 2 power to apply conferred (20.1.2007) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1042(1), 1300(2); S.I. 2006/3428, art. 3(3) (with arts. 6, 8(2))
Pt. 2 power to apply (with modifications) conferred (20.1.2007) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1043(2), 1300(2); S.I. 2006/3428, art. 3(3) (with arts. 6, 8(2))
Pt. 2 modified (6.4.2007) by The Companies Acts (Unregistered Companies) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/318), regs. 1(2), 4, 5 (with reg. 6)
Pt. 2 extended (Northern Ireland) (1.1.2007 for specified purposes, 20.1.2007 for specified purposes, 6.4.2007 in so far as not already in force) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1284(1), 1300(2); S.I. 2006/3428, arts. 2(2)(h), 3(2)(e), 4(3)(c) (with arts. 6, 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 15) (which transitional provisions in Sch. 1 are revoked (1.10.2009) by S.I. 2008/2860, arts. 1(2), 6(1)(a) (with arts. 5, 8, Sch. 2)); S.I. 2007/1093, art. 2(1)(e) (with arts. 3, 4, 7, 11(1), 12); S.I. 2006/3428, arts. 2(2)(h), 3(2)(e), 4(3)(c) (with arts. 6, 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 15) (which transitional provisions in Sch. 1 are revoked (1.10.2009) by S.I. 2008/2860, arts. 1(2), 6(1)(a) (with arts. 5, 8, Sch. 2)); S.I. 2007/1093, art. 2(1)(e) (with arts. 3, 4, 7 11(1), 12)
Words in s. 35(5) substituted (6.4.2007) by The Companies Act 2006 (Commencement No. 2, Consequential Amendments, Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/1093), art. 1(3), Sch. 4 para. 5 (with art. 11(1))
Pt. 2 modified (1.10.2007) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 288(1), 1300(2) (with s. 281(4)); S.I. 2007/2194, art. 2(1)(f) (with arts. 7, 12, Sch. 1 para. 13, Sch. 3 para. 24) (which transitional provisions in Sch. 1 are amended (6.4.2008) by S.I. 2007/3495, art. 10(1)(b) (with S.I. 2008/674, arts. 2(3), 5, Sch. 3 para. 4) and revoked (1.10.2009) by S.I. 2008/2860, art. 6(1)(c)(2) (with art. 8, Sch. 2))
Pt. 2 modified (6.4.2008) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 437(3), 1300(2); S.I. 2007/3495, art. 3(1)(d) (with arts. 7 9 12 Sch. 4 para. 6)
Pt. 2 modified (6.4.2008) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 738, 1300(2); S.I. 2007/3495, art. 3(1)(g) (with arts. 7 12)
Pt. 2 modified by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1170A, 1170B (as inserted (1.10.2009) by The Companies Act 2006 (Consequential Amendments, Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/1941), art. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 260(8) (with art. 10))
Pt. 2 extended (1.10.2009) by The Companies Act 2006 (Consequential Amendments, Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/1941), art. 1(2), Sch. 3 para. 2 (with art. 10)
Pt. 2 modified (1.10.2009) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1(1), 547, 724(5), 1044, 1300(2); S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(a) (with arts. 7, 8, Sch. 2 para. 1)
Pt. 2 modified (20.1.2007 for specified purposes, 1.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 583, 1300(2); S.I. 2006/3428, art. 3(3) (with arts. 6, 8(2)); S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(k) (with arts. 7, 8, Sch. 2 paras. 1, 57)
Pt. 2 modified (6.4.2007 for specified purposes, 1.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), s. 1060(3)(4), 1300(2); S.I. 2006/3428, art. 4(3)(a) (with arts. 6 8(2)); S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(r) (with arts. 7, 8, Sch. 2 para. 1)
Pt. 2 modified (20.1.2007 for specified purposes, 1.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1081(6), 1300(2); S.I. 2006/3428, art. 3(3) (with arts. 6, 8(2)); S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(r) (with arts. 7, 8, Sch. 2 para. 1105) (which transitional provisions in Sch. 2 are substituted (1.10.2009) by S.I. 2009/1802, arts. 1, 18, Sch.)
Pt. 2 restricted (1.10.2009) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1118, 1300(2); S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(r) (with arts. 7, 8, Sch. 2 para. 1)
Pt. 2 restricted (20.1.2007 for specified purposes, 1.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1156(2), 1300(2); S.I. 2006/3428, art. 3(3) (with arts. 6, 8(2)); S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(t) (with arts. 7, 8, Sch. 2 para. 1)
Pt. 2 modified (6.4.2007 for specified purposes, 1.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 558, 1300(2) (with s. 559); S.I. 2007/1093, art. 2(2)(b) (with arts. 4, 11(1)); S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(k) (with arts. 7, 8, Sch. 2 para. 1)
Pt. 2 modified (1.10.2007 for specified purposes, 1.11.2007 for specified purposes, 1.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1158, 1300(2); S.I. 2007/2194, arts. 2(3)(i), 3(2)(b) (with arts. 7 12 Sch. 1 para. 21) (which transitional provisions in Sch. 1 are revoked (1.10.2009) by S.I. 2008/2860, art. 6(1)(c)(2) (with art. 8, Sch. 2)); S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(u) (with arts. 7, 8, Sch. 2 para. 1)
Pt. 2 modified (1.10.2007 for specified purposes, 6.4.2008 for specified purposes, 1.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), s. 540(1)(4), 1300(2); S.I. 2007/2194, art. 2(3)(c) (with arts. 7, 12); S.I. 2007/3495, art. 3(3)(b) (with arts. 7, 12); S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(k) (with arts. 7, 8, Sch. 2 para. 1)
Pt. 2 modified (1.10.2007 for specified purposes, 6.4.2008 for specified purposes, 1.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 545, 1300(2); S.I. 2007/2194, art. 2(3)(d) (with arts. 7, 12); S.I. 2007/3495, art. 3(3)(c) (with arts. 7, 12); S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(k) (with arts. 7, 8, Sch. 2 para. 1)
Pt. 2 modified (6.4.2007 for specified purposes, 1.10.2007 for specified purposes, 1.11.2007 for specified purposes, 6.4.2008 for specified purposes, 1.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 546, 1300(2); S.I. 2007/1093, art. 2(2)(a) (with arts. 4 11(1)); S.I. 2007/2194, arts. 2(3)(e), 3(2)(a) (with arts. 7 12); S.I. 2007/3495, art. 3(3)(d) (with arts. 7, 12); S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(k) (with arts. 7, 8, Sch. 2 para. 1)
Pt. 2 modified (1.10.2007 for specified purposes, 6.4.2008 for specified purposes, 1.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 548, 1300(2); S.I. 2007/2194, art. 2(3)(f) (with arts. 7, 12); S.I. 2007/3495, art. 3(3)(e) (with arts. 7, 12); S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(k) (with arts. 7, 8, Sch. 2 para. 1)
Pt. 2 modified (1.10.2007 for specified purposes, 6.4.2008 for specified purposes, 1.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 629, 1300(2); S.I. 2007/2194, art. 2(3)(g) (with arts. 7, 12); S.I. 2007/3495, art. 3(3)(f) (with arts. 7, 12); S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(k) (with arts. 7, 8, Sch. 2 para. 1)
Pt. 2 modified (20.1.2007 for specified purposes, 6.4.2007 for specified purposes, 1.10.2007 for specified purposes, 6.4.2008 for specified purposes, 1.10.2008 for specified purposes, 1.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1125(1), 1300(2) (with s. 1133); S.I. 2006/3428, art. 3(2)(b) (with arts. 6, 8(2)); S.I. 2007/1093, art. 2(2)(c) (with arts. 4 11(1)); S.I. 2007/2194, art. 2(1)(l)(3)(h) (with arts. 7 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. 7, 8, Sch. 2 para. 1)
Pt. 2 excluded (20.1.2007 for specified purposes, 6.4.2007 for specified purposes, 1.10.2007 for specified purposes, 6.4.2008 for specified purposes, 1.10.2008 for specified purposes, 1.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1129, 1300(2) (with s. 1133); S.I. 2006/3428, art. 3(2)(b) (with arts. 6, 8(2)); S.I. 2007/1093, art. 2(2)(c) (with arts. 4, 11(1)); S.I. 2007/2194, art. 2(1)(l)(3)(h) (with arts. 7, 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. 7, 8, Sch. 2 para. 1)
Pt. 2 modified (20.1.2007 for specified purposes, 6.4.2007 for specified purposes, 1.10.2007 for specified purposes, 6.4.2008 for specified purposes, 1.10.2008 for specified purposes, 1.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1131, 1300(2) (with s. 1133); S.I. 2006/3428, art. 3(2)(b) (with arts. 6, 8(2)); S.I. 2007/1093, art. 2(2)(c) (with arts. 4 11(1)); S.I. 2007/2194, art. 2(1)(l)(3)(h) (with arts. 7, 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. 7, 8, Sch. 2 para. 1)
Pt. 2 modified (1.1.2007 for specified purposes, 20.1.2007 for specified purposes, 6.4.2007 for specified purposes, 1.10.2007 for specified purposes, 1.11.2007 for specified purposes, 15.12.2007 for specified purposes, 6.4.2008 for specified purposes, 1.10.2008 for specified purposes, 1.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1161-1171, 1173, 1174, 1300(2), Sch. 7, Sch. 8; S.I. 2006/3428, art. 2(2)(f)(g), 3(2)(c)(d)(3) (with arts. 6 8(2)); S.I. 2007/1093, art. 2(1)(d)(2)(h) (with art. 6 art. 8(2) art. 4 11(1)); S.I. 2007/2194, arts. 2(3)(k), 3(2)(c), 4(2)(a) (with arts. 4, 6, 7, 8(2), 11(1), 12, Sch. 1 para. 21); S.I. 2007/3495, art. 3(1)(o)-(r), (t)(3)(i)(j), 5(3)(b)(c) (with arts. 7, 12); S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(u) (with arts. 7, 8, Sch. 2 para. 1)
Pt. 2 applied (with modifications) (1.10.2009) by The Unregistered Companies Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/2436), regs. 1(2), 3-5, Sch. 1 para. 21 (with regs. 7, 9, Sch. 2)
Word in s. 35(3) substituted (1.10.2009) by The Companies Act 2006 (Consequential Amendments, Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/1941), art. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 225 (with art. 10)
Pt. 2 extended (12.5.2011) by The Companies Act 2006 (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/1265), art. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 2
Pt. 2 modified (31.12.2020) by Regulation (EC) No. 2157/2001, Art. AAA1(3) (as inserted by The European Public Limited-Liability Company (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/1298), regs. 1, 97 (with regs. 140-145) (as amended by S.I. 2020/523, regs. 1(2), 5(a)-(f)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1))