Companies House Strike-Off Resumes – Avoid Dissolution

Companies House has confirmed that the temporary measure to suspend compulsory strike-off action will be lifted from 10 October 2020. The temporary measure to pause compulsory strike-offs started in April 2020 in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

When a company is struck off, the company’s legal existence is removed from the Companies House register. The strike-off can be voluntary or compulsory.

From 10 October 2020, Companies Houses will resume the compulsory process to remove a company from the register if there’s reasonable cause to believe it’s no longer carrying on business or in operation.

This includes:

• company documents are outstanding, and Companies House have had no response to their letters
• letters sent by Companies Houses are returned undelivered
• the company has no directors

Companies that do not file their annual accounts or confirmation statement will normally receive two letters from Companies House. A notice is then published in the Gazette to tell the public that the registrar intends to strike-off the company.

From 10th October onwards, when compulsory strike-off action resumes, a company will face dissolution if there are no objections and the two-month period from the publication of the Gazette notice expires. Subsequently, authorities will strike off the company shortly thereafter.

If a company is in default and wants to remain on the register then action should be taken before 10 October 2020 to remain registered.