The Company and Business Names (Amendment) Regulations 2001

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

1.  These Regulations amend the Company and Business Names Regulations 1981 (S.I. 1981/1685) (“the 1981 Regulations”). The 1981 Regulations specify certain words and expressions for the purposes of section 26 of the Companies Act 1985 and section 2 of the Business Names Act 1985. Under those sections the Secretary of State’s approval is required for the use of such words and expressions in (respectively) a company or business name.

2.  These Regulations amend the 1981 Regulations by substituting for the expressions “Chamber of Commerce”, “Chamber of Commerce, Training and Enterprise”, “Chamber of Industry” and “Chamber of Trade” which are currently specified, the expressions specified in regulation 3.

3.  The amendment to the 1981 Regulations made by regulation 3 is subject to transitional provisions in regulation 4. These allow the continued use of a business name lawfully used prior to the coming into force of regulation 3 until 12 months after any transfer of the business concerned.

4.  A Regulatory Impact Assessment of these Regulations is available from the Department of Trade and Industry, Company Law and Investigations Directorate, Room 507, 1 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0ET. A copy has also been placed in the libraries of both Houses of Parliament.