Incorporation is quick. Getting the structure right is the part worth thinking about.

A limited company separates your personal assets from the business. Setting one up properly takes rather more than filling in a form.

Why limited, and why not

A private limited company is a separate legal person. It owns its own assets, carries its own liabilities, and its shareholders are generally not personally responsible for its debts beyond the value of their shares. For most trading businesses in England this is the sensible default.

It is not automatically the right answer. Sole trading is simpler and cheaper to run; a branch of an overseas parent may suit a business testing the market. The decision affects your tax position, your personal exposure and how easily you can bring in investment later.

What incorporation actually involves

Choosing a company name that is available and not confusingly similar to an existing mark
A registered office address in England or Wales
At least one director, and details of shareholders
Share structure — how many shares, of what class, held by whom
Articles of association: the model articles, or bespoke ones where shareholders need different rights
Identifying people with significant control

Same-day registration at Companies House is routine once the paperwork is right. There is no minimum share capital requirement, and no residency requirement for directors.

What follows incorporation

This is the part most new companies underestimate. Corporation tax registration, VAT if you will exceed the threshold, PAYE if you will employ anyone, a business bank account, and insurance. Each has its own timetable, and some are due before you trade rather than after.

Directors' duties

Directors carry personal statutory duties under the Companies Act 2006 — to promote the success of the company, exercise independent judgement and reasonable care, avoid conflicts of interest and declare any interest in a proposed transaction. Most directors never think about them until something goes wrong.

What this covers

ET3 response within the deadline
Merits and risk assessment
Disclosure and document review
Witness statement preparation
Hearing bundles
Case management and preliminary hearings
Representation at final hearing

In detail

How we help.

Formation

Structure advice, incorporation and the registrations that have to follow it.

Governance

Articles, statutory registers and shareholder arrangements kept properly current.

Ongoing compliance

Confirmation statements, annual accounts and corporation tax handled on schedule.

FAQ

Common questions.

Do we need to be UK residents?

No. There is no residency requirement to incorporate an English company or to be a director. You do need a UK registered office address, and most banks will want to meet a director before opening an account.

How much share capital do we need?

There is no minimum for a private limited company. Many are incorporated with a nominal amount. What matters more is how the shares are divided and what rights attach to them.

Should we use the model articles?

For a single-shareholder company, usually yes. Where there are several shareholders with different expectations about control, dividends or exit, bespoke articles and a shareholders’ agreement are worth the cost.

What filings must a small company make?

At minimum: annual accounts and a confirmation statement to Companies House, plus a corporation tax return to HMRC. VAT returns, payroll submissions and directors’ self assessments depend on your circumstances.

We are behind on filings. How serious is it?

Recoverable in almost every case. Penalties escalate and strike-off proceedings can begin, but both can usually be stopped. Waiting genuinely costs money here.

Corporate & Commercial

The full practice area this sits within.

Self Employed

A related service in the same area.

HR

A related service in the same area.

Get in touch

Tell us what you are dealing with.

Email

info@newvisionlegalsupport.com

Telephone

07534636866

Office

London, United Kingdom