Choosing A Company Name
CH
Choosing A Company Name
C
PART IV - GENERAL INFORMATION
CAN I OMIT THE WORD "LIMITED" FROM MY COMPANY'S
NAME?
A company which is, or is about to be, registered as a private company limited by guarantee will be allowed to omit the word "limited" from its name provided that the requirements in Section 30 of the Companies Act
1985 are met.
More information about the main requirements of Section 30 is available in (CHN8) "Exemption from Using the Word "Limited" in a Company Name".
DO THE SAME RULES APPLY TO OVERSEA COMPANIES?
The same rules that govern the use of names for British registered companies apply to the names of oversea companies and their branches registered under Part XXIII of the Companies Act 1985. If the name is not acceptable the company will receive a notice to change its name. Information about the registration of overseas companies is available in the Companies House Booklet (CHN25) "Oversea Companies".
....AND TO BUSINESS NAMES?
In some cases, yes. The rules about "too like" and "same as" names do not apply. Certain words and
expressions used in business names, however, still need the approval of the Secretary of State before they can be used.
More information about business names is available in
(CHN11 "Business Names and Business Ownership".
10.
COULD MY CHOICE OF NAME BE AFFECTED BY THE
TRADE MARKS INDEX?
The Registrar does not consult the Trade Marks index when considering an application for a company name, and the registration of a name does not mean that trade mark rights do not already exist. In your own interests it is sensible to make a search at:
Trade Marks Registry Patent Office
25 Southampton Buildings London
WC2A 1AY
or, by prior arrangement, at:
Trade Marks Enquiries Section Concept House Tredegar Park Cardiff Road
Newport
Gwent
NP9 1RH
(Tel: 0633 814707)
....OR THE CONSUMER CREDIT ACT? Registration of your company name does not imply any acceptance of the same name for the purpose of the Consumer Credit Act 1974. If you need a licence under that Act in order to carry on business you should consult the licensing branch of:
Office of Fair Trading Bromyard Avenue Acton London
to find out whether your chosen name is acceptable for the purposes of the Act.
11.