United Kingdom — governance guide

A practitioner reference for United Kingdom, generated from the GovernOS rules engine. Always current with the jurisdiction packs.

At a glance

Legal systemCommon law
Filing languageen
AGM notice period21 clear days
Coverage tierT3 filed

Regulators & portals

Companies House (CH)

Company registry · API filing

Filing portal →

Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)

Securities regulator

Entity types

Private Company Limited by Shares (Ltd)

min 1 director(s)

Public Limited Company (PLC)

min 2 director(s) · secretary required · can be public

How to — common actions & what each requires

Add director
Approvals

board (50%)

Documents

Board Resolution — Appointment of Director; Consent to Act as Director

Filings

AP01 (due T+14d)

Authority

Companies Act 2006, s.167

Remove director
Approvals

shareholders (50%)

Documents

Shareholder Resolution — Removal of Director

Filings

TM01 (due T+14d)

Authority

Companies Act 2006, s.168

Issue shares
Approvals

board (50%), shareholders special (75%)

Documents

Board Resolution — Allotment of Shares; Share Certificate

Filings

SH01 (due T+30d)

Authority

Companies Act 2006, ss.550–551, 555

File annual return
Approvals

board (50%)

Documents

Filings

CS01 (due T+0d)

Authority

Companies Act 2006, s.853A

File beneficial ownership
Approvals

Documents

Person of Significant Control Notice

Filings

PSC01 (due T+14d)

Authority

Companies Act 2006, Part 21A (PSC regime)

Appoint officer
Approvals

board (50%)

Documents

Board Resolution — Appointment of Officer; Consent to Act as Secretary

Filings

AP03 (due T+14d)

Authority

Companies Act 2006, ss.270–280 (company secretaries)

Transfer shares
Approvals

board (50%)

Documents

Stock Transfer Form (J30); Share Certificate (transferee)

Filings

none

Authority

Companies Act 2006, ss.770–772; Stock Transfer Act 1963

Create ESOP
Approvals

board (50%), shareholders (50%)

Documents

Employee Share Option Plan (EMI/unapproved); Board Resolution — Adoption of ESOP

Filings

none

Authority

Companies Act 2006, Part 17; ITEPA 2003 Sch.5 (EMI)

Grant options
Approvals

board (50%)

Documents

Option Grant Agreement

Filings

none

Authority

Companies Act 2006, Part 17; ITEPA 2003 Sch.5 (EMI notification to HMRC)

Approve financing
Approvals

board (50%), shareholders special (75%)

Documents

Board Resolution — Approval of Financing Round; Special Resolution — Allotment Authority & Pre-emption Disapplication; Subscription Agreement

Filings

SH01 (due T+30d)

Authority

Companies Act 2006, ss.550–551, 561, 570, 555

Approve dividend
Approvals

board (50%), shareholders (50%)

Documents

Board Resolution — Declaration of Dividend

Filings

none

Authority

Companies Act 2006, Part 23 (distributions)

Create subsidiary
Approvals

board (50%)

Documents

Board Resolution — Incorporation of Subsidiary

Filings

IN01 (due T+0d)

Authority

Companies Act 2006, Part 2 (company formation)

Amend constitution
Approvals

shareholders special (75%)

Documents

Special Resolution — Amendment of Articles

Filings

CC04 (due T+15d)

Authority

Companies Act 2006, ss.21, 26, 29–30

Change company name
Approvals

shareholders special (75%)

Documents

Special Resolution — Change of Name

Filings

NM01 (due T+15d)

Authority

Companies Act 2006, ss.77–81

Prepare AGM
Approvals

board (50%)

Documents

Notice of Annual General Meeting; AGM Minutes

Filings

none

Authority

Companies Act 2006, ss.307, 336–340 (general meetings; PLC AGM)

Approve audit / accounts
Approvals

board (50%), shareholders (50%)

Documents

Board Resolution — Approval of Annual Accounts; Resolution — Appointment of Auditor

Filings

AA (due T+270d)

Authority

Companies Act 2006, Parts 15–16 (accounts & audit), s.441 (filing)

Reference only — not legal advice. Rule packs are directionally accurate and being legally validated per jurisdiction.