Key Companies Act Changes from 1st October 2009

FYI1. The Registrar of Companies will gain more powers - mainly revolving around the processing of information submitted by, or concerning, the UK's companies.2. Form changes - some of the forms currently used by limited companies may be replaced, or changed.3. The actual incorporation process is set to become simpler as a result of the Act. A new Form IN01 will be required to form a company, together with a Memorandum of Association, the Articles of Association, and the appropriate fee.4. Authorised / nominal share capital will be discontinued on incorporation.5. There will no longer be a limit set out in the Memorandum of Association on the number of shares that directors can issue.6. Company naming rules are set to become stricter.7. Directors must now provide a "service address", alongside their residential address (although these may both be the same). This means that a director's private address will no longer appear on any public register if they have a different "service address".8. Statement of Capital - Companies incorporating as limited by shares (whether private or public) on or after 1st October 2009 must complete a statement of capital and initial shareholdings as part of the application to incorporate.9. New rules regarding a limited company's constitutional documents (including the Memorandum and Articles of Association)You can find out more about these and the other 1st October 2009 changes athttp://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/companiesAct/implementations/oct2009.shtml