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• Business correspondence rules have changed - make sure you comply!

Introduction

Certain sections of the Companies Act 2006 have come in to force which make changes to the information that companies must publish in correspondence and official communications.

All companies must now ensure that the following information is stated on their company website and in external emails:

• the company's place of registration (for example, "England and Wales") and the number with which it is registered;
• the address of its registered office;
• in the case of an investment company (as defined in section 266 Companies Act 1985), the fact that it is such a company; and
• in the case of a limited company exempt from the obligation to use the word 'limited' as part of its name (under section 30 Companies Act 1985 or a community interest company which is not a public company), the fact that it is a limited company.

These requirements previously applied to business letters and order forms. However, to reflect common business practice, the requirements have been extended to cover websites and documents in electronic form, including emails.

Any reference to the amount of share capital on company stationery, the company's order forms or on any of the company's websites must be to paid-up share capital.

Failure to comply may result in the company (or an officer of the company or a person acting on its behalf) being liable to a fine.

Ashfords is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. The information in this article is intended to be general information about English law only and not comprehensive. It is not to be relied on as legal advice nor as an alternative to taking professional advice relating to specific circumstances.