http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/46/section/76ACompanies Act 2006 An Act to reform company law and restate the greater part of the enactments relating to companies; to make other provision relating to companies and other forms of business organisation; to make provision about directors' disqualification, business names, auditors and actuaries; to amend Part 9 of the Enterprise Act 2002; and for connected purposes.texttext/xmlenStatute Law Database2026-07-24Expert Participation2026-07-16 Companies Act 2006s. 479A(2)(c)(zi)The Statutory Auditors and Third Country Auditors (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019reg. 4(b)(i)reg. 2Companies Act 2006Sch. 10 para. 6(2D)The Statutory Auditors and Third Country Auditors (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019reg. 28(e)reg. 2Companies Act 2006Sch. 10 para. 7(2A)The Statutory Auditors and Third Country Auditors (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019reg. 29(b)reg. 2Companies Act 2006ActThe Companies (Revision of Defective Accounts and Reports) (Amendment) Regulations 2013reg. 4reg. 1(1)Companies Act 2006ActThe Companies (Revision of Defective Accounts and Reports) (Amendment) Regulations 2013reg. 9(a)reg. 1(1)Companies Act 2006Sch. 11A para. 17E-17GEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026Sch. 36 para. 35s. 108(6) Part 5Chapter 476A1The Secretary of State may direct a company to change its name if it appears to the Secretary of State that the name has been used, or is intended to be used, by the company to facilitate—athe commission of an offence involving dishonesty or deception, orbthe carrying out of conduct that, if carried out in any part of the United Kingdom, would amount to such an offence.2The direction must be in writing and must specify the period within which the company is to change its name.3The period must be a period of at least 28 days beginning with the date of the direction.4The Secretary of State may by further direction in writing extend the period.Any such direction must be given before the end of the period for the time being specified.5A company may apply to the court to set aside a direction under subsection (1).6Any application under subsection (5) must be made within the period of three weeks beginning with the date of the direction.7On an application under subsection (5) the court may set the direction aside or confirm it.8If on an application under subsection (5) the direction is confirmed, the court must specify the period within which the direction is to be complied with.9Where a direction is given under subsection (1), the registrar may omit from the material on the register that is available for public inspection any mention of the name to which the direction relates.10If a company applies to the court under subsection (5) to set aside a direction, the company is not required to comply with the direction while the proceedings are ongoing.11If a company fails to comply with a direction under subsection (1), an offence is committed by—athe company, andbevery officer of the company who is in default.For this purpose a shadow director is treated as an officer of the company.12A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale and, for continued contravention, a daily default fine not exceeding one-tenth of level 3 on the standard scale.Pts. 1-39 (except for Pt. 7 and ss. 662-669), 45-47 extended (12.5.2011) by The Companies Act 2006 (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/1265), art. 5(1), Sch. 1 para. 2Pts. 1-39 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))Words in Pt. 5 Ch. 4 heading inserted (26.10.2023 for specified purposes, 4.3.2024 in so far as not already in force) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), ss. 19(2), 219(1)(2)(b); S.I. 2024/269, reg. 2(o)Pt. 5 power to apply (with modifications) conferred (1.8.2014) by Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 (c. 14), ss. 135, 154 (with Sch. 5)Pt. 5 power to apply (with modifications) conferred (E.W.S.) (1.12.2013) by Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies and Credit Unions Act 2010 (c. 7), ss. 4(1)(2)(b), 8(2); S.I. 2013/2936, art. 2S. 76A inserted (26.10.2023 for specified purposes, 4.3.2024 in so far as not already in force) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), ss. 17(4), 219(1)(2)(b); S.I. 2024/269, reg. 2(m)S. 76A applied (with modifications) (4.3.2024) by S.I. 2009/1804, reg. 13A (as inserted by The Limited Liability Partnerships (Application of Company Law) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/234), regs. 1(2), 12; S.I. 2024/269, reg. 2(a))S. 76 cross-heading inserted (26.10.2023 for specified purposes, 4.3.2024 in so far as not already in force) by Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (c. 56), ss. 17(3), 219(1)(2)(b); S.I. 2024/269, reg. 2(m)