Companies Act 2006

UPDATES: More provisions of the Act came into force on 1 October 2008.  We have pages on the abolition of financial assistance for private companies, the new conflicts of interest rules which are now in force for directors, and the new simplified procedure for reduction of capital.

The remaining provisions of the Act will come into force on 1 October 2009.

Read on below for information on the Companies Act 2006 generally.

The biggest piece of legislation ever.
Some 1,300 sections and 16 schedules.
The biggest reform of company law since 1929.
So what are the implications for your business?

Browse through our Companies Act 2006 pages using the links on the right.

Much of the Act is now in force. The remaining parts - mainly those that affect Companies House, including the new style of constitution for companies - won't come in until October 2009.

The Act is unlikely to require big changes in the way you do things, but there are enormous changes to the detail. We will be recommending that all client companies change their articles of association, but not until October 2009 or shortly before. The exception is for directors with conflicts of interest, such as representatives of a VC on an investee company company board - in many cases they should change articles now. Click here for more information

Unless you're a listed company (not AIM), a professional adviser or you think you might be specially affected by the Act, we say you don't need to worry too much about the Act for now. Browse through these pages, register for email updates, then relax. When there is more to tell you, we'll email you a link to bring you back to these pages.

Register for email updates here:

If you have any queries or would like to discuss in more detail how the Act will have an impact on you, please call Jeremy Eden on 0845 074 2522 or drop him an email at jeremy.eden@emwph.com

What's in the Act? Click here for more information