2016 No. 599
The Companies and Limited Liability Partnerships (Filing Requirements) Regulations 2016
Made
Laid before Parliament
Coming into force
The Secretary of State makes the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 15(a) and 17(1) to (3) of the Limited Liability Partnerships Act 20001, sections 9(5A) and (5B)2, 243(3), 853C(3)3, 1042, 1043, 1087B(3), 1167 and 1292 of the Companies Act 20064 and sections 159(1) and (2) of the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 20155.
Citation and commencement1
These Regulations may be cited as the Companies and Limited Liability Partnerships (Filing Requirements) Regulations 2016 and come into force on 30th June 2016.
Interpretation2
In these Regulations—
“the Act” means the Companies Act 2006;
“the 2009 Regulations” means the Limited Liability Partnerships (Application of the Companies Act 2006) Regulations 20096;
“annual return” means a return described in section 854 of the Act;
“LLP” means a limited liability partnership registered under the Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2000;
“registrar” has the meaning given in section 1060 of the Act; and
“return date” has the meaning given in section 854(2) of the Act.
Amendments to the 2009 Regulations3
1
2
The substitution made by paragraph 5 of Schedule 1 does not have effect in relation to annual returns required by section 854 of the Act to be made up to a return date before 30th June 2016.
3
In relation to an LLP that was incorporated on 30th June 2015, section 853A(5)(a)7 of the Act has effect as if it read—
a
the period of 12 months beginning with the day after the LLP’s incorporation;
4
Any reference in section 853A of the Act, as applied to LLPs with modifications by paragraph 5 of Schedule 1, to a review period is to be read as including the period of 12 months beginning with the day after the LLP’s last return date.
Amendments to the Unregistered Companies Regulations 20094
1
2
The substitution made by paragraph 2 of Schedule 2 does not have effect in relation to an annual return of an unregistered company which is required by section 854 of the Act to be made up to a return date before 30th June 2016.
3
Where an annual return of the kind described in paragraph (2) of this regulation is delivered to the registrar on or after 30th June 2016, section 856(2) of the Act (contents of annual return: information about shares and share capital)9 has effect as if it read—
2
The statement of capital must state with respect to the unregistered company’s share capital at the return date—
a
the total number of shares in the unregistered company,
b
the aggregate nominal value of those shares,
c
the aggregate amount (if any) unpaid on those shares (whether on account of their nominal value or by way of premium), and
d
for each class of shares—
i
the prescribed particulars of the rights attached to the shares,
ii
the total number of shares of that class, and
iii
the aggregate nominal value of shares of that class.
4
In relation to an unregistered company that was incorporated on 30th June 2015, section 853A(5)(a) of the Act has effect as if it read—
a
the period of 12 months beginning with the day after the unregistered company’s incorporation;
5
Any reference in section 853A of the Act, as applied to unregistered companies by paragraph 2 of Schedule 2, to a review period is to be read as including the period of 12 months beginning with the day after the unregistered company’s last return date.
Consequential Amendments5
Schedule 3 (which contains consequential amendments) has effect.
Classification scheme for company type6
The classification scheme set out in the table in Schedule 4 is prescribed for the purposes of section 9(5A) (registration documents) of the Act.
Classification system for company’s principal business activities7
1
The Standard Industrial Classification 2007 is prescribed for the purposes of section 9(5B) and section 853C(3) of the Act, with the addition of the codes and designations in the table in Schedule 5, where the code set out in column 1 of the table represents the designation opposite it in column 2 of the table.
2
In paragraph (1), “Standard Industrial Classification 2007” means the UK Standard Industrial Classification of Economic Activities 2007, prepared by the Office for National Statistics and published by Palgrave MacMillan with the permission of the Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI) with ISBN number 978-0-230-21012-7.
Review8
1
The Secretary of the State must from time to time—
a
carry out a review of these Regulations;
b
set out the conclusions of the review in a report; and
c
publish the report.
2
The report must in particular—
a
set out the objectives intended to be achieved by the regulatory system established by these Regulations;
b
assess the extent to which those objectives have been achieved; and
c
assess whether those objectives remain appropriate and, if so, the extent to which they could be achieved in another way that imposed less regulation.
3
The first report under this regulation must be published before the end of the period of 5 years beginning with the day on which these Regulations come into force.
4
Reports under this regulation are afterwards to be published at intervals not exceeding 5 years.
SCHEDULE 1AMENDMENTS TO THE 2009 REGULATIONS
PART 1
1
The 2009 Regulations are amended as follows.
2
In Part 5 (an LLP’s members), before regulation 18 (requirements for register of members) insert—
3
In Part 5 (an LLP’s members), before Chapter 2 (members’ residential addresses: protection from disclosure) insert—
CHAPTER 1AOPTION TO KEEP INFORMATION ON THE CENTRAL REGISTER
18A
Sections 167A to 167E13 apply to LLPs, modified so that they read as follows—
167ARight to make an election
1
An election may be made under this section in respect of a register of members or a register of members’ residential addresses (or both).
2
The election may be made—
a
by the proposed members of a proposed LLP, or
b
by the LLP itself once it is formed and registered under the Limited Liability Partnerships Act 200014.
3
The election is made by giving notice of election to the registrar.
4
If the notice is given by proposed members of a proposed LLP, it must be given when the documents required to be delivered under section 215 of the Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2000 are delivered to the registrar.
167BEffective date of election
1
An election made under section 167A takes effect when the notice of election is registered by the registrar.
2
The election remains in force until a notice of withdrawal sent by the LLP under section 167E is registered by the registrar.
167CEffect of election on obligations under sections 162 and 165
1
In the period during which an election under section 167A is in force, with respect to an LLP, the obligations set out in sections 162 and 165(1) do not apply to that LLP.
167DDuty to notify registrar of changes
1
The duty under subsection (2) applies during the period when an election under section 167A is in force.
2
The LLP must deliver to the registrar—
a
any information of which the LLP would during that period have been obliged to give notice under section 9 of the Limited Liability Partnerships Act 200016, had the election not been in force, and
b
any statement that would have been required to accompany such a notice.
3
The information (and any accompanying statement) must be delivered as soon as reasonably practicable after the LLP becomes aware of the information and, in any event, no later than the time by which the LLP would have been required under section 9 of the Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2000 to give notice of the information.
4
If default is made in complying with this section, an offence is committed by—
a
the LLP, and
b
every designated member of the LLP who is in default.
5
A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction—
a
in England and Wales, to a fine and, for continued contravention, a daily default fine not exceeding the greater of £500 and one-tenth of level 4 on the standard scale;
b
in Scotland and Northern Ireland, to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale and, for continued contravention, a daily default fine not exceeding one-tenth of level 5 on the standard scale.
167EWithdrawing the election
1
An LLP may withdraw an election made by or in respect of it under section 167A.
2
Withdrawal is achieved by giving notice of withdrawal to the registrar.
3
The withdrawal takes effect when the notice is registered by the registrar.
4
The effect of withdrawal is that the LLP’s obligation under section 162 or (as the case may be) section 165 to keep and maintain a register of the relevant kind apply from then on with respect to the period going forward.
5
The reference in subsection (4) to a register “of the relevant kind” is to a register (whether a register of members or a register of members’ usual residential addresses) of the kind in respect of which the election was made.
6
This means that, when the withdrawal takes effect—
a
the LLP must enter in that register all the information that is required to be contained in that register in respect of matters that are current as at that time, but
b
the LLP is not required to enter in its register information relating to the period when the election was in force that is no longer current.
4
In regulation 19 (members’ residential addresses: protection from disclosure), in the modification of section 24617 of the Act (putting the address on the public record)—
a
after paragraph (3) insert—
3A
But—
a
subsection (3)(a) does not apply if an election under section 167A18 is in force in respect of the LLP’s register of members, and
b
subsection (3)(b) does not apply if an election under section 167A is in force in respect of the LLP’s register of members’ residential addresses.
b
after paragraph (4) insert—
4A
If an election under section 167A is in force in respect of the LLP’s register of members, the LLP must, in place of doing the things mentioned in subsection (4)(a) and (b), deliver the particulars to the registrar in accordance with section 167D19.
c
in paragraph (5), for “or (4)” substitute “, (4) or (4A)”.
5
For Part 8 (an LLP’s annual return), substitute—
PART 8ANNUAL CONFIRMATION BY LLP OF ACCURACY OF INFORMATION ON REGISTER
30
Sections 853A and 853B20 apply to LLPs, modified so that they read as follows—
853ADuty to deliver confirmation statements
1
Every LLP must, before the end of the period of 14 days after the end of each review period, deliver to the registrar—
a
such information as is necessary to ensure that the LLP is able to make the statement referred to in paragraph (b), and
b
a statement (“a confirmation statement”) confirming that all information required to be delivered by the LLP to the registrar in relation to the confirmation period concerned under any duty mentioned in subsection (2) either—
i
has been delivered, or
ii
is being delivered at the same time as the confirmation statement.
2
The duties are—
a
any duty to notify a relevant event (see section 853B);
b
any duty under section 853I (duty to deliver information about people with significant control).
3
In this Part “confirmation period”—
a
in relation to an LLP’s first confirmation statement, means the period beginning with the day of the LLP’s incorporation and ending with the date specified in the statement (“confirmation date”);
b
in relation to any other confirmation statement of the LLP, means the period beginning with the day after the confirmation date of the last such statement and ending with the confirmation date of the confirmation statement concerned.
4
The confirmation date of a confirmation statement must be no later than the last day of the review period concerned.
5
For the purposes of this Part, each of the following is a review period—
a
the period of 12 months beginning with the day of the LLP’s incorporation,
b
each period of 12 months beginning with the day after the end of the previous review period.
6
But where an LLP delivers a confirmation statement with a confirmation date which is earlier than the last day of the review period concerned, the next review period is the period of 12 months beginning with the day after the confirmation date.
7
For the purpose of making a confirmation statement, an LLP is entitled to assume that any information has been properly delivered to the registrar if it has been delivered within the period of 5 days ending with the date on which the statement is delivered.
8
But subsection (7) does not apply in a case where the LLP has received notice from the registrar that such information has not been properly delivered.
853BDuty to notify a relevant event
The following duties are duties to notify a relevant event—
a
the duty to give notice of a change in the address of the LLP’s registered office under section 8721;
b
in the case of an LLP in respect of which an election is in force under section 167A (election to keep the register of members or the register of members’ residential addresses (or both) on the central register), the duty to deliver anything as mentioned in section 167D22;
c
in the case of an LLP in respect of which an election is in force under section 790X (election to keep information in PSC register on central register), the duty to deliver anything as mentioned in section 790ZA23;
d
the duty to give notice of a change under section 924 (registration of membership changes) of the Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2000 (in the absence of an election under section 167A); and
e
in the case of an LLP which, in accordance with regulations under section 113625 (where certain LLP records to be kept available for inspection), keeps any LLP records at a place other than its registered office, any duty under the regulations to give notice of a change of address of that place.
31
Section 853I26 applies to LLPs, modified so that it reads as follows—
853IDuty to deliver information about people with significant control
1
This section applies where—
a
an LLP to which Part 21A27 (information about people with significant control) applies makes a confirmation statement, and
b
there is no election in force under section 790X in respect of the LLP.
2
The LLP must deliver the information stated in its PSC register to the registrar at the same time as it delivers the confirmation statement.
3
Subsection (2) does not apply if and to the extent that the information most recently delivered to the registrar under this section applies equally to the confirmation period concerned.
4
“PSC register” has the same meaning as in Part 21A (see section 790C) of the Companies Act 2006.
31ZA
Section 853L28 applies to LLPs, modified so that it reads as follows—
853LFailure to deliver confirmation statement
1
If an LLP fails to deliver a confirmation statement before the end of the period of 14 days after the end of a review period an offence is committed by—
a
the LLP, and
b
every designated member of the LLP.
2
A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) is liable on summary conviction—
a
in England and Wales to a fine, and, for continued contravention, a daily default fine not exceeding the greater of £500 and one-tenth of level 4 on the standard scale;
b
in Scotland or Northern Ireland, to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale and, for continued contravention, a daily default fine not exceeding one-tenth of level 5 on the standard scale.
3
The contravention continues until such time as a confirmation statement specifying a confirmation date no later than the last day of the review period concerned is delivered by the LLP to the registrar.
4
It is a defence for a designated member charged with an offence under subsection (1)(b) to prove that the person took all reasonable steps to avoid the commission or continuation of the offence.
5
In the case of continued contravention, an offence is also committed by a designated member who did not commit an offence under subsection (1) in relation to the initial contravention but who is in default in relation to the continued contravention.
6
A person guilty of an offence under subsection (5) is liable on summary conviction—
a
in England and Wales to a fine not exceeding the greater of £500 and one-tenth of level 4 on the standard scale for each day on which the contravention continues and the person is in default;
b
in Scotland or Northern Ireland, to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale for each day on which the contravention continues and the person is in default.
6
In regulation 63 (public notice of receipt of certain documents), in the modification of section 1078—
a
in the heading “Accounts and returns”, for “returns” substitute “confirmation statements”; and
b
for “The LLP’s annual return” substitute “The LLP’s confirmation statement.”
7
In regulation 66 (Inspection etc of the register)—
a
in the modification of section 1087A (Information about a person’s date of birth) for subsections (3) to (6), substitute—
3
A “relevant person” is an individual—
a
who is an LLP member, or
b
whose particulars are stated in an LLP’s PSC register as a registrable person in relation to that LLP (see Part 21A).
4
A document delivered to the registrar is “protected” at any time unless—
a
it is an election period document,
b
subsection (7) applies to it at the time, or
c
it was registered before this section comes into force.
5
As regards DOB information about a relevant person in his or her capacity as a member of the LLP, each of the following is an “election period document”—
a
a statement of the proposed members of the proposed LLP delivered under section 2 of the Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2000 in circumstances where the proposed members gave notice of election under section 167A (election to keep information on central register) in respect of the LLP’s register of members when the statement was delivered;
b
a document delivered by the LLP under section 167D (duty to notify register of changes while election in force).
6
As regards DOB information about a relevant person in his or her capacity as someone whose particulars are stated in the LLP’s PSC register, each of the following is an “election period document”—
a
a statement of initial significant control delivered under section 2 of the Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2000 in circumstances where the subscribers wishing to form an LLP gave notice of an election under section 790X in respect of an LLP when the statement was delivered;
b
a document containing a statement or updated statement delivered by the LLP under section 790X(6)(b) or (7) (statement accompanying notice of election made after incorporation);
c
a document delivered by the LLP under section 790ZA (duty to notify registrar of changes while election in force).
7
This subsection applies to a document if—
a
the DOB information relates to the relevant person in his or her capacity as a member of the LLP,
b
an election under section 167A is or has previously been in force in respect of the LLP’s register of members,
c
the document was delivered to the registrar at some point before that election took effect,
d
the relevant person was a member of the LLP when that election took effect, and
e
the document was either—
i
a statement of proposed members delivered under section 2 of the Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2000 (Incorporation document etc) naming the relevant person as someone who was to be a member of the LLP, or
ii
notice given under section 9 of that Act (registration of membership changes) of the relevant person having become a member of the LLP.
8
Information about a person does not cease to fall within subsection (1) when he or she ceases to be a relevant person and, to that extent, references in this section to a relevant person include someone who used to be a relevant person.
9
Nothing in subsection (1) obliges the registrar to check other documents or (as the case may be) other parts of the document to ensure the absence of DOB information.
b
in the modification of section 1087B (disclosure of DOB information), for subsection (4) substitute—
4
This section does not apply to restricted DOB information about a relevant person in his or her capacity as someone whose particulars are stated in the LLP’s PSC register if an application under regulations made under section 790ZG (regulations for protecting PSC particulars) has been granted with respect to that information and not been revoked.
5
“Restricted DOB information” means information falling within section 1087A(1).
SCHEDULE 2AMENDMENTS TO THE UNREGISTERED COMPANIES REGULATIONS 2009
PART 1
1
Schedule 1 to the Unregistered Companies Regulations 200929 is amended as follows.
2
For paragraph 13 (annual return), substitute—
Confirmation statement13
1
Sections 853A to 853G and sections 853K and 853L of the Companies Act 2006 apply to unregistered companies.
2
Section 853B (duties to notify a relevant event) applies to unregistered companies with the following modifications—
a
omit paragraphs (b), (d), (f) and (g); and
b
for paragraph (h) substitute—
h
in the case of a company which keeps any company records at a place other than its registered office, the duty under sections 162(4) and 275(4) to give notice of a change in the address of that place.
3
Section 853C (duty to notify a change in company’s principal business activities) applies with the modification that in subsection (3), for “any prescribed system of classifying business activities.” substitute “the system of classifying business activities prescribed in regulation 7 of the Companies and Limited Liability Partnerships (Filing Requirements) Regulations 201630.
3
In paragraph 19, in the modification of section 1078 of the Act—
a
for the heading “Accounts and returns” substitute “Accounts and reports etc.”; and
b
under that heading, for “The company’s annual return” substitute “Any confirmation statement delivered by the company.”.
SCHEDULE 3CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS
Amendment to the Companies (Disclosure of Date of Birth Information) Regulations 2015
1
The Companies (Disclosure of Date of Birth Information) Regulations 201531 are amended as follows.
2
In Schedule 1 (Specified Public Authorities)—
a
after “the Treasury;” insert—
the Treasury Solicitor;
b
omit “an overseas regulatory authority within the meaning of section 82 of the Companies Act 1989 (request for assistance by overseas regulatory authority);”.
3
In paragraph 4 of Part 1 of Schedule 2 (Conditions for Permitted Disclosure), before “Secret Intelligence Service,” insert “National Crime Agency,”.
Amendment to the Companies (Disclosure of Address) Regulations 2009
4
The Companies (Disclosure of Address) Regulations 200932 are amended as follows.
5
In regulation 9(1) (application under section 1088 to make an address unavailable for public inspection by an individual)—
a
in sub-paragraph (e), omit “or”;
b
in sub-paragraph (f), after “(duty to deliver information about people with significant control),” insert “or”; and
c
after sub-paragraph (f) insert—
g
as a service address delivered to the registrar at the same time as a confirmation statement under section 853G (duty to deliver shareholder information: certain traded companies).
Amendment to the Companies (Companies Authorised to Register) Regulations 20096
In regulation 5 (Statement of capital and initial shareholdings) of the Companies (Companies Authorised to Register) Regulations 200933—
a
after paragraph (2)(b) insert—
ba
the aggregate amount (if any) unpaid on those shares (whether on account of their nominal value or by way of premium),
b
in paragraph (2)(c)(iii), omit “and”; and
c
omit paragraph (2)(d).
Amendment to the European Public Limited-Liability Company Regulations 20047
In regulation 85(9) (registration of a public company by the conversion of an SE) of the European Public Limited-Liability Company Regulations 200434—
a
in sub-paragraph (b), omit “and”;
b
after sub-paragraph (b), insert—
ba
the aggregate amount (if any) unpaid on those shares (whether on account of their nominal value or by way of premium); and
c
in sub-paragraph (c)(iii), omit “and”; and
d
omit sub-paragraph (d).
Amendment to the RTM Companies (Model Articles) (England) Regulations 20098
In Schedule 1 to the RTM Companies (Model Articles) (England) Regulations 200935—
a
in article 26(5) (becoming a member), after “register of members” insert “(or, if an election under section 128B36 of the Companies Act 2006 is in force in respect of the company, in the register kept by the registrar under section 1080 of that Act)”; and
b
in article 33(4) (voting: general), after “register of members” insert “(or, if an election under section 128B of the Companies Act 2006 is in force in respect of the company, in the register kept by the registrar under section 1080 of that Act)”.
Amendment to the RTM Companies (Model Articles) (Wales) Regulations 20119
In Schedule 1 to the RTM Companies (Model Articles) (Wales) Regulations 201137—
a
in article 26(4) (application for membership), after “register of members” insert “(or, if an election under section 128B of the Companies Act 2006 is in force in respect of the company, in the register kept by the registrar under section 1080 of that Act)”; and
b
in paragraph 33(4) (voting: general), after “register of members” insert “(or, if an election under section 128B of the Companies Act 2006 is in force in respect of the company, in the register kept by the registrar under section 1080 of that Act)”.
Amendment to the Companies and Limited Liability Partnerships (Filing Requirements) Regulations 201510
In regulation 9(3)(b) (amendment to the Unregistered Companies Regulations 2009) of the Companies and Limited Liability Partnerships (Filing Requirements) Regulations 201538, for “paragraph (d)”, substitute “sub-paragraph (2)(d)”.
Amendment to the Companies (Shares and Share Capital) Order 200911
In article 2(2) (statements of capital and returns of allotment by unlimited companies: prescribed particulars of the rights attached to shares) of the Companies (Shares and Share Capital) Order 200939—
a
in sub-paragraph (n), omit “and”; and
b
for sub-paragraph (o), substitute—
o
section 730(5)(c)(i); and
p
section 853D(4)(d)(i).
SCHEDULE 4Classification Schedule for Type of Company
Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
Type of Company | Code |
Public limited company | T1 |
Private company limited by shares | T2 |
Private company limited by guarantee | T3 |
Private company limited by shares exempt under section 60 of the Act | T4 |
Private company limited by guarantee exempt under section 60 of the Act | T5 |
Private unlimited company with share capital | T6 |
Private unlimited company without share capital | T7 |
SCHEDULE 5Additional codes and designations
Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
Codes | Designations |
74990 | Non-trading company |
98000 | Residents’ property management company |
99999 | Dormant company |
(This note is not part of the Regulations)