Policy paper: Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act: outline transition plan for Companies House

The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (2023) (‘The Act’) will reform the role of Companies House and improve transparency over UK companies and other legal entities to strengthen our business environment, support our national security and disrupt economic crime, while delivering a more reliable companies register to underpin business activity. This legislation brings Companies House and our legal framework into line with modern day challenges.

The Act introduces the biggest changes to Companies House since corporate registrations were established in 1844 and will enable us to play a much stronger role in making the UK a great place to do business.

There are 3 registrars of companies in the UK: 

The legislative changes are underpinned by a new set of objectives for the registrars. They provide a framework for how we operate as an organisation, from guiding our decision making to exercising our new powers.

To ensure that any person who is required to deliver a document to the registrar does so (and that the requirements for proper delivery are complied with).

To ensure that information contained in the register is accurate and that the register contains everything it ought to contain. This reference to ‘the register’ includes any records kept by the registrar under any enactment. 

To ensure that records kept by the registrar do not create a false or misleading impression to members of the public.