These Rules are made under the Companies Act 2006 (c.46) (“the Act”). They regulate the proceedings before a company names adjudicator under section 69 of the Act when an application has been made objecting to a company’s registered name because of its similarity to another name in which the objector has goodwill.

Rules 1 and 2 contain introductory provisions, including provisions relating to forms and fees.

Rules 3 to 9 contain provisions relating to proceedings before the company names adjudicator. These include provisions relating to applications for objections to a company’s registered name; evidence rounds; the adjudicator’s decision; the adjudicator’s powers and provisions on the conduct of such proceedings.

Rule 10 contains provisions on corrections of irregularities of procedure.

Rules 11 and 12 contain provisions relating to costs or expenses.

Rule 13 contains provisions on providing an address for service, and rules 14 and 15 set hours of business.

The Schedule contains the fees which are required to accompany each form.

An impact assessment has not been produced for these Rules as no impact on the private or voluntary sectors is foreseen.