Your Web Site Could Be Illegal

Companies in the UK must include certain regulatory information on their websites and in their email footers before 1 January 2007 or they will breach the Companies Act and risk a fine. As a result of an update to the legislation of 1985, every company should list its company registration number, place of

registration, and registered office address on its website. The information, which must be in legible characters should also appear in emails. Such information is already required on "business letters" but the duty is being extended to websites, order forms and electronic documents. For websites, contrary to the fears of some, the specified information does not need to appear on every page.

Are You Affected?

The legislation covers public and private companies and limited partnerships

Details Required

• place of registration and company registration number
• registered office address

• in the case of an investment company, the fact that it is such a

company must be stated

• in the case of a limited company exempt from the obligation to use

the word "limited" in its name, the fact that it is a limited company

must be stated Please note, all these requirements apply whether

the document is

in hard copy or electronic format.The new rules do mean,however,

you will be able to use e-communications (email and websites) to

do any of the following:

• communicate with shareholders (subject to their approval)
• investigate who has an interest in your shares
• file all basic documents with company registries
• ask for and receive any documents you wish to inspect.

But, you must continue to communicate on paper with shareholders who express that preference.

For further information, see the Department for Trade and Industry (DTI) website: www.dti.gov.uk/bbf/co-act-2006/index.html.

While the author believes that the information within this article is accurate and offers sound advice, he makes no claims to the completeness or absoluteness of any of the information. Since any action, or lack thereof, taken by readers of this article is completely out of the direct control of the author, the author assumes no liability whatsoever for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided.