What is a Compulsory Strike Off & Can it be Stopped?

A compulsory strike-off is a legal process initiated by Companies House to remove a company from the register^[1]Trusted Source – .GOV- Strike off, dissolution and restoration.

This process can significantly affect a company’s directors, shareholders, and creditors.

In this guide, we will delve into the mechanics of compulsory strike-off, explore why it may be initiated, and examine the consequences of the process.

What Does Compulsory Strike Off Mean?

A compulsory strike-off means the formal action taken by Companies House to dissolve a company that is not actively trading or conducting business. This process results in the company’s name being removed from the official register of companies, effectively terminating its existence.

This action typically means that the company has failed to meet certain legal obligations, such as filing annual returns or confirmation statements. The compulsory strike-off serves a critical function: it means protecting the public and maintaining the integrity of the business environment by removing defunct or non-compliant companies from the register.

Common Reasons for Facing a Compulsory Strike-Off

A company may face compulsory strike-off for various reasons outlined in Section 1000 of the Companies Act 2006. These reasons include:

• The company is not actively conducting business or operating.
• Failure to file annual accounts or confirmation statements.
• The company remaining dormant for an extended period.
• Absence of appointed directors in the company.
• Lack of response to correspondence from Companies House.
• The company is undergoing liquidation but has not appointed an insolvency practitioner.

These conditions signal to Companies House that a company may no longer be functioning as a legitimate business entity, prompting the strike-off process to maintain the integrity and accuracy of the business register.

What Happens When You Receive a Gazette Notice?

When you receive a Gazette notice, it signifies that Companies House has started the process of compulsory strike-off for your company. This notice is a formal announcement in the public record, and it indicates that your company is at risk of being dissolved. Here’s what typically happens:

The Gazette notice serves as an initial warning. It means Companies House has identified your company as potentially non-compliant or inactive. Upon receiving the notice, you generally have a specific period, often two months, to respond. This is a critical window to take action if you wish to prevent the strike-off.

If you do not respond or rectify the issues within the given timeframe, Companies House will proceed with the strike-off. This results in the dissolution of your company, and it ceases to exist legally.

If you believe the strike-off notice has been issued in error, or if you can rectify the reasons for strike-off, you can object to the process. This requires prompt communication with Companies House, providing evidence or documentation as needed.

Receiving a Gazette notice is a serious matter, and it’s crucial to act swiftly to understand the reasons behind it and take appropriate steps to address the situation.

What’s the Compulsory Strike-Off Process?

The compulsory strike-off process is a structured procedure taken by Companies House to dissolve a company that is not compliant or active. The process typically involves the following steps:

1. Issuance of a First Gazette Notice: Companies House issues a notice in the Gazette, a public record, indicating their intention to strike off the company. This serves as a warning and gives the company an opportunity to rectify any issues or respond.
2. Response Period: The company has a specific period, usually two months, to respond or update its records. During this time, it can take necessary actions to prevent the strike-off, such as filing overdue documents or proving it’s still trading.
3. Issuance of a Final Gazette Notice: If there is no response or action from the company, Companies House will issue a second and final notice in the Gazette.
4. Dissolution of the Company: Following the final notice and the lapse of the response period, the company is formally struck off the register and ceases to exist legally.

Throughout this process, it is crucial for the company to communicate with Companies House and take appropriate actions if it wishes to avoid dissolution. The process is designed to be transparent and provide ample warning to the company in question.

Can a Compulsory Strike-Off be Stopped?

Yes, a compulsory strike-off can be stopped, but it requires prompt and appropriate action by the company in question. Here are the key steps to halt the process:

1. Respond Quickly to the Strike-Off Notice:

Once you receive a strike-off notice, identify the reasons behind it. Common reasons include missing filings, such as accounts or confirmation statements, or unpaid fees.

2. File Missing Documents Immediately:

If the strike-off is due to missing filings, submit the overdue documents to Companies House right away.

3. Pay Any Outstanding Fees or Penalties:

Make sure all outstanding fees or penalties associated with the noncompliance issues are settled promptly.

4. Let Companies House Know You’re Fixing the Problem:

Inform Companies House that you are taking steps to address the issues and keep your company active.

5. Ask for More Time if Needed:

If you need more time to fix the problems, apply for a suspension of the strike-off process. This gives you extra time to get things in order.

6. Get Expert Help if You’re Unsure:

If you’re not sure how to handle the strike-off notice, talk to a solicitor or accountant for professional advice.

Consequences of Failing to Stop a Compulsory Strike-Off

Failing to halt a compulsory strike-off can have significant repercussions for a company and its directors. Understanding these consequences is crucial for any business facing this situation:

1. Company Dissolution and Business Cessation:

The company’s legal existence ends once it’s struck off. It can no longer trade, enter into contracts, or engage in any business activities.

2. Asset Loss and Crown Ownership:

Upon dissolution, all company assets become ‘bona vacantia,’ meaning the Crown owns them. This includes property, bank accounts, and intellectual property.

3. Personal Liability for Directors’ Debts:

Directors may face personal responsibility for company debts or legal obligations incurred after the dissolution date.

4. Reputational Damage and Future Obstacles:

Being struck off can tarnish the reputation of both the company and its directors, hindering future business ventures and attracting investors or partners.

5. Complex and Costly Reinstatement Process:

Restoring a struck-off company requires a court order and can involve significant legal fees.

6. Potential Investigation and Legal Action:

If the strike-off occurs due to non-compliance or irregularities, an investigation into the company’s affairs may follow, potentially leading to legal action against the directors.

7. Difficulty Securing Financing:

A history of compulsory strike-off can negatively impact the creditworthiness of the company and its directors, making it challenging to secure financing in the future.

In summary, failing to address a compulsory strike-off notice can have far-reaching consequences that can jeopardize the company’s existence, its assets, and the reputation of its directors. Prompt action is crucial to prevent these severe repercussions.

Key Insights and Takeaways

Insolvency practitioner Chris Andersen offers the following key points:

Ensure you understand your duties as a director – The Companies Act 2006 makes it clear that directors have a duty to submit annual accounts that give an accurate view of the limited company’s assets, liabilities and financial position.

Directors should be aware that they only have legal protection if they comply and perform their duties under the Companies Act, and failure to take account of the needs of the company, shareholders and creditors could potentially leave them at risk if challenged. 

As a director, you may be happy for the company to be struck off. You will still need to make sure that assets and debts are dealt with, so you should take professional advice at this stage from a licensed insolvency practitioner such as ourselves.

Even if a compulsory strike-off has been initiated, HMRC will object if there are sums due to them or the banks in case of bounce-back loan default. Strike-off is, therefore, not a viable way to avoid insolvent liquidation if the company cannot pay its debts.

Compulsory Strike-Off FAQs

References

The primary sources for this article are listed below, including the relevant laws and Acts which provide their legal basis.

You can learn more about our standards for producing accurate, unbiased content in our editorial policy here.

1. Trusted Source – .GOV- Strike off, dissolution and restoration