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UK Act of Parliament
2015
United Kingdom
Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015
At a glance
Enforced by
What's here
55 compliance obligations, 3 practical guides across 2 topics · 4 journeys · 2 statutory instruments
Penalty landscape
12 of 55 obligations carry an unlimited fine. 9 carry different penalties and 34 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.
Who this Act binds
Business-side actors with duties under this Act, ranked by how often they appear.
- Trader 17
- Any Person 14
- Director or Officer 11
- Landlord 1
- Employer 1
Plus 11 non-business duties on Crown ministers, regulators, local authorities or tribunals — shown collapsed under each section below.
Step-by-step journeys using this legislation
Walkthroughs that take you from a real business situation to compliance.
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Relevant guidance
Practical guides for businesses affected by this Act, ordered by how closely they engage with it.
Direct — cites this Act
1 guidesSupporting — topic alignment
2 guidesOther Acts binding the same actors
For each actor bound by this Act, the other UK Acts that bind them most often. Useful for understanding the full compliance landscape facing each role.
Traders also bound by 826 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Value Added Tax Regulations 1995 1995 413 duties
- Companies Act 2006 2006 243 duties
- The Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 2008 114 duties
- Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 2016 62 duties
- Building Societies Act 1986 1986 56 duties
Any Person also bound by 2338 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Human Medicines Regulations 2012 2012 169 duties
- Merchant Shipping Act 1995 1995 144 duties
- Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 2016 101 duties
- Road Traffic Act 1988 1988 95 duties
- Air Navigation Order 2016 2016 95 duties
Directors and Officers also bound by 425 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 2016 161 duties
- Companies Act 2006 2006 108 duties
- Insolvency Act 1986 1986 72 duties
- The Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 2008 55 duties
- The Housing Administration (England and Wales) Rules 2018 2018 26 duties
Landlords also bound by 216 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 2016 74 duties
- Housing Act 1985 1985 53 duties
- Housing Act 1996 1996 30 duties
- The Service Charges (Consultation Requirements) (England) Regulations 2003 2003 27 duties
- The Service Charges (Consultation Requirements) (Wales) Regulations 2004 2004 26 duties
Employers also bound by 694 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- The Income Tax (Pay As You Earn) Regulations 2003 2003 236 duties
- Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 1998 120 duties
- TULRCA 1992 1992 72 duties
- Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (current NI employment law) 1996 52 duties
- Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 2003 50 duties
What this Act requires
Sections that create concrete duties on businesses or carry penalties. Procedural and definitional sections are folded into the “Browse other sections” expander at the bottom of each group. Click any section title to read the source text on legislation.gov.uk.
Part 1 — Access to finance
Companies: duty to publish report on payment practices and performance
Unlimited fine- Fail to report on payment practices and performance Director or Officer
Offences for the purposes of section 8
Unlimited fine- Disclose or use VAT registration information unlawfully Any Person
Browse 12 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Power to invalidate certain restrictive terms of business contracts
Section 1(4)(a): meaning of “financial services”
Small and medium sized businesses: information to credit reference agencies
Small and medium sized businesses: information to finance platforms
Sections 4 and 5: supplementary
Sections 4 to 6: interpretation
Disclosure of VAT registration information
Disclosure of exporter information
Power of the Secretary of State under section 1 of the EIGA 1991
EIGA 1991: further amendments
Electronic paying in of cheques etc
Powers of the Payment Systems Regulator
Part 2 — Regulatory reform
Browse 25 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Target for streamlined company registration
Streamlined company registration: duty to report on progress
Review of regulators' complaints and appeals procedures
Power to specify regulatory functions
Guidance by the Secretary of State
Independent Complaints Commissioner: reporting duty
Duty on Secretary of State to publish business impact target etc
Sections 21 and 23 to 25: “qualifying regulatory provisions” etc
Duty on Secretary of State to publish reports
Additional matters to be included in reports
Duty on relevant regulators to assess economic impact etc
Appointment of body to verify assessments and lists in reports
Amending the business impact target etc
Sections 21 to 25 etc: interpretation
Duty to review regulatory provisions in secondary legislation
Section 28(1)(b): interpretation
Section 28(2)(a): “provision for review”
Section 28(2)(b): appropriateness of making provision for review
Sections 28 to 31 etc: supplementary
Definitions of small and micro business
Small and micro business regulations: further provision
Exclusion of home businesses from Part 2 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954
Section 35: supplementary and consequential provision
CMA to publish recommendations on proposals for Westminster legislation
Exemption from liability for bodies concerned with accounting standards etc
Part 3 — Public sector procurement
Browse 2 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Part 4 — The Pubs Code Adjudicator and the Pubs Code
Arbitration: supplementary
- Pub-owning business must pay arbitrator's fees and expenses Trader
Investigation reports
- Review and comment on draft Adjudicator investigation reports Trader
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Pubs Code Adjudicator must publish investigation reports Statutory regulator
Requirements to publish information
- Publish information as ordered by the Adjudicator Trader
- Publish investigation information if required by the Adjudicator Trader
Financial penalties
Unlimited fine- Breach of the Pubs Code Any Person
Levy funding
- Pay annual levy to the Adjudicator Trader
- Pay the Pubs Code Adjudicator levy if you are a pub-owning business Trader
Reports on avoidance
- Avoid unfair business practices designed to bypass the Pubs Code Landlord
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must respond to reports of unfair pub business practices Crown / Minister / Government department
Browse 28 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
The Adjudicator
Pubs Code
Pubs Code: market rent only option
Market rent only option: procedure
Market rent only option: disputes
Review of Pubs Code
Inconsistency with Pubs Code etc
Referral for arbitration by tied pub tenants
Timing of referral for arbitration by tied pub tenants
Arbitration commenced by pub-owning businesses
Information about arbitration
Investigations
Forms of enforcement
Recommendations
Recovery of investigation costs
Advice
Guidance
Annual report
Loans by Secretary of State
Review of Adjudicator and guidance from Secretary of State
Abolition of Adjudicator
Information to Secretary of State
“Tied pub”
“Pub-owning business”
“Tied pub tenant”, “landlord”, “tenancy” and “licence”
Power to grant exemptions from Pubs Code
Interpretation: other provision
Regulations under this Part
Part 5 — Childcare and schools
Browse 4 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Part 6 — Education evaluation
Browse 3 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Part 7 — Companies: Transparency
Requirement for all company directors to be natural persons
Unlimited fine- Appoint a non‑natural person as director Any Person
Browse 10 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Register of people with significant control
Review of provisions about PSC registers
Amendment of section 813 of the Companies Act 2006
Abolition of share warrants to bearer
Amendment of company's articles to reflect abolition of share warrants
Review of section 84
Review of section 87
Application of directors' general duties to shadow directors
Shadow directors: definition
Shadow directors: provision for Northern Ireland
Part 8 — Company filing requirements
Company filing requirements: consent to act as director or secretary
Amended 1 timeRegistrar's duty to inform new directors of entry in register
Amended 1 timeOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Registrar must notify new directors of their appointment Statutory regulator
Removal from register of material about directors
Amended 1 timeReduction in notice periods etc for striking off companies
Amended 1 timeBrowse 8 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Duty to deliver confirmation statement instead of annual return
Section 92: related amendments
Option for companies to keep information on central register
Recording of optional information on register
Protection of information about a person's date of birth
Contents of statements of capital
Public companies: information about aggregate amount paid up on shares
Address of company registered office
Part 9 — Directors' disqualification etc
Convictions abroad
Amended 2 timesPersons instructing unfit director
Amended 2 timesDetermining unfitness and disqualifications: matters to be taken into account
Amended 2 timesReports of office-holders on conduct of directors of insolvent companies
Amended 2 timesUnfit directors of insolvent companies: extension of period for applying for disqualification order
Amended 2 timesDirectors: removal of restriction on application for disqualification order
Amended 2 timesCompensation orders and undertakings
Amended 2 timesSections 104 to 110: consequential and related amendments
Amended 2 timesProvision for Northern Ireland corresponding to sections 104 to 111
Amended 2 timesDisqualification as director: bankruptcy, etc in Scotland and Northern Ireland
2 years imprisonment Amended 1 time- Act as director while bankrupt or under restrictions Any Person
Company Directors Disqualification (Northern Ireland) Order 2002: bankruptcy, etc in England and Wales or Scotland
2 years imprisonment Amended 1 time- Act as a director while disqualified (bankruptcy‑related) Director or Officer
Disqualification as insolvency practitioner: bankruptcy, etc in Scotland or Northern Ireland
Amended 1 timeDisqualification as insolvency practitioner in Northern Ireland: bankruptcy, etc in England and Wales or Scotland
Amended 1 timePart 10 — Insolvency
Power for administrator to bring claim for fraudulent or wrongful trading
Amended 1 timePower for liquidator or administrator to assign causes of action
Amended 1 timeApplication of proceeds of office-holder claims
Amended 1 timeAbolition of requirements to hold meetings: company insolvency
Amended 3 timesAbolition of requirements to hold meetings: individual insolvency
Amended 2 timesAbility for creditors to opt not to receive certain notices: company insolvency
Amended 3 timesAbility for creditors to opt not to receive certain notices: individual insolvency
Amended 2 timesSections 122 to 125: further amendments
Amended 3 timesTrustees in bankruptcy
Amended 1 timeRecognised professional bodies: recognition
Amended 1 timeRegulatory objectives
Amended 1 timeOversight of recognised professional bodies
Amended 1 timeRecognised professional bodies: revocation of recognition
Amended 1 timeCourt sanction of insolvency practitioners in public interest cases
Amended 1 timePower for Secretary of State to obtain information
Amended 1 timeCompliance orders
Amended 1 timePower to establish single regulator of insolvency practitioners
Amended 1 timeRegulations under section 144: designation of existing body
Amended 1 timeRegulations under section 144: timing and supplementary
Amended 1 timeBrowse 11 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Exercise of powers by liquidator: removal of need for sanction
Exercise of powers by trustee in bankruptcy: removal of need for sanction
Extension of administrator's term of office
Administration: payments to unsecured creditors
Administration: sales to connected persons
Attachment of floating charges on administration (Scotland)
Creditors not required to prove small debts: company insolvency
Creditors not required to prove small debts: individual insolvency
Time limit for challenging IVAs
Abolition of fast-track voluntary arrangements
Voluntary winding-up: progress reports
Part 11 — Employment
Equal pay: transparency
- Report and publish gender pay gap information Employer
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must introduce gender pay gap reporting regulations Crown / Minister / Government department
Protected disclosures: reporting requirements
Amended 1 timeProtection for applicants for employment etc in the health service
Amended 1 timeFinancial penalty for failure to pay sums ordered by employment tribunal etc
Amended 3 timesAmount of financial penalty for underpayment of national minimum wage
Amended 2 timesExclusivity terms unenforceable in zero hours contracts
Amended 1 timeRegulations to restrict public sector exit payments
Amended 1 timeSupplementary provision about regulations under section 153A
Amended 1 timePower to relax restriction on public sector exit payments
Amended 1 timeRegulations in connection with repayment of public sector exit payments
Amended 3 timesSection 154(1): further provision
Amended 1 timePower to make regulations under section 154(1) to be exercisable by the Treasury or Scottish Ministers
Amended 3 timesPower of Secretary of State to waive repayment requirement
Amended 2 timesConcessionary coal
Amended 1 timeBrowse 1 other section in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Part 12 — General
Browse 6 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Consequential amendments, repeals and revocations
Transitional, transitory or saving provision
Financial provisions
Extent
Commencement
Short title
Schedules
The Pubs Code Adjudicator
Unlimited fine- Fail to comply with an information request from the Pubs Code Adjudicator Any Person
(1) This paragraph applies if both the Adjudicator and the...
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must appoint acting Deputy Adjudicator in conflict-of-interest cases Crown / Minister / Government department
(1) The Adjudicator must keep proper accounts and proper records...
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Adjudicator must keep proper accounts and prepare annual statement of accounts Statutory regulator
(1) It is an offence for a person intentionally to...
- Intentionally fail to comply with a requirement Any Person
It is an offence for a person knowingly to provide...
- Provide false information to a regulator Any Person
After section 85 (offence of making false or misleading statement)...
Unlimited fine- Fail to comply with prescribed premises requirements Any Person
Register of people with significant control
- Identify and identify people with significant control (PSC) Trader
After Part 21 of the Companies Act 2006 insert— PART...
- Identify and record people with significant control (PSC register) Trader
(1) This paragraph applies in relation to a company which...
- Prepare share certificates when bearer share warrants are surrendered Trader
(1) An application under section 1003 of the Companies Act...
- Apply for voluntary striking off while share warrant outstanding Any Person
(1) A notice required by virtue of any provision of...
- Give notice to share warrant bearers by Gazette, normal communication, and website Trader
Sections 1112 (general false statement offence) and 1113 (enforcement of...
- Provide false PSC information or fail to file Any Person
(1) A person guilty of an offence under paragraph 1(5)...
Unlimited fine- Fail to comply with Schedule 4 obligations (SBEEA 2015) Any Person
(1) A company must, as soon as reasonably practicable and...
- Notify share warrant bearers of their surrender rights and deadlines Trader
(1) After section 1028 insert— Administrative restoration of company with...
Unlimited fine- Fail to allot shares or deliver statement of capital after restoration Director or Officer
(1) After section 1032A insert— Restoration by court of company...
Unlimited fine- Fail to allot shares or deliver statement of capital after court restoration Director or Officer
(1) This paragraph applies in relation to a share warrant...
- Pay dividends on unsurrendered share warrants into a separate bank account Trader
(1) A company must, before the end of the period...
- Notify share warrant bearers of surrender rights and deadlines Trader
(1) This paragraph applies in relation to a company which...
- Apply to court to cancel unredeemed share warrants Trader
(1) The court must make a cancellation order in respect...
- Record cancelled share warrants in your register or with Companies House Trader
(1) This paragraph applies in relation to a company if...
- File order and statement of capital at Companies House after share warrant cancellation Trader
(1) This paragraph applies where the court makes a cancellation...
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Registrar must not register share cancellation order unless court directs or company re-registers as private Crown / Minister / Government department
(1) Where a share warrant is cancelled by a cancellation...
- Pay into court after share warrant cancellation Trader
Option to keep information on central register
Fine up to £1,000- Fail to keep the central register statement up‑to‑date Director or Officer
After section 279 insert— Option to keep information on the...
Unlimited fine- Fail to notify Companies House of secretary changes during election Director or Officer
After Chapter 2 insert— CHAPTER 2A Option to keep information...
Fine up to £1,000- Fail to update statement of members after election to use central register Director or Officer
After section 167 insert— Option to keep information on the...
Unlimited fine- Fail to deliver director information to Companies House Director or Officer
After Article 11 of the 2002 Order insert— Persons instructing...
- Avoid directing or instructing a disqualified director to act improperly Any Person
(1) Section 99 (directors to lay statement of affairs before...
Unlimited fine- Directors fail to provide statement of affairs to creditors on voluntary winding up Director or Officer
For section 146 (compulsory winding-up - duty to summon final...
- Liquidator must send final account and notice to creditors, court and registrar Director or Officer
In section 314(7) (trustee's power and duty to summon creditors'...
- Seek decisions from creditors using modern methods instead of physical meetings Director or Officer
In section 356(2)(c) (offence of making false statements)—
- Make false statements in creditor decision procedures Any Person
Omit section 291(1) to (3) (bankrupt's duty to deliver possession...
- Bankrupt's duty to deliver estate to official receiver removed Any Person
(1) This paragraph applies where the Regulations include provision enabling...
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Set penalty rules in insolvency practitioner regulations Crown / Minister / Government department
The Regulations must provide that— (a) the body is not...
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Regulations must declare that the body is not a Crown servant entity Crown / Minister / Government department
(1) This paragraph applies where the body is an unincorporated...
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Regulations must allow proceedings against unincorporated associations in name of establishing body Crown / Minister / Government department
(1) The Regulations must provide that the body must pay...
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Pay remuneration, allowances, pensions and compensation to chair and members Statutory regulator
Browse 259 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
Registration of childcare: premises
Abolition of share warrants to bearer
Contents of statements of capital
Sections 104 to 110: consequential and related amendments
Northern Ireland: provision corresponding to sections 104 to 111
Trustees in bankruptcy
The Adjudicator is a corporation sole.
(1) The Adjudicator must make procedural arrangements for dealing with...
A defect in appointment does not affect the validity of...
The application of the Adjudicator's seal must be authenticated by...
A document purporting to be duly executed under the seal—...
The Adjudicator may do anything that is calculated to facilitate...
The Secretary of State may provide staff, premises, facilities or...
(1) The following are exempt from liability in damages for...
(1) The Adjudicator may, for the purposes of an investigation,...
The Adjudicator carries out functions on behalf of the Crown....
A person guilty of an offence under this Part of...
In Schedule 2 to the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 (departments...
In Part 3 of Schedule 1 to the House of...
In Part 6 of Schedule 1 to the Freedom of...
In each of Schedules 14 and 15 to the Enterprise...
The Adjudicator is to be appointed by the Secretary of...
The Secretary of State may appoint a Deputy Adjudicator.
The Deputy Adjudicator may carry out any of the Adjudicator's...
A person holds and vacates office as the Adjudicator or...
Service as the Adjudicator, or as the Deputy Adjudicator, is...
(1) The Adjudicator may pay to or in respect of...
(1) The Adjudicator may make arrangements for persons to be...
The Childcare Act 2006 is amended in accordance with paragraphs...
In section 57 (special procedure for providers registered in the...
In section 57A (special procedure for providers registered with early...
In section 63 (applications for registration on the general register:...
In section 64 (entry on the register and certificates), in...
In section 65 (special procedure for persons already registered in...
In section 65A (procedure for persons already registered with a...
In section 69 (suspension of registration in a childcare register:...
Omit section 94 (power to amend Part 3: applications in...
Omit section 105(3)(c) (procedure for an order under section 94)...
In section 34 (requirement to register: other early years providers)—...
In paragraph 12(1) of Schedule 4A to the Water Industry...
In section 36 (applications for registration: other early years providers)—...
In section 37 (entry on the register and certificates), in...
In section 37A (early years childminder agencies: registers and certificates),...
In section 53 (requirement to register: other later years providers)—...
In section 55 (applications for registration: other later years providers)—...
In section 56 (entry on the register and certificates), in...
In section 56A (later years childminder agencies: registers and certificates),...
In section 1136 (regulations about where certain company records to...
In Schedule 8 (index of defined expressions), in the appropriate...
After Schedule 1 to that Act insert— SCHEDULE 1A References...
The Companies Act 2006 is amended as follows.
In section 9 (registration documents), in subsection (4), at the...
After section 12 insert— Statement of initial significant control (1) The statement of initial significant control required to be...
In section 120 (information as to state of register and...
In section 1068 (registrar's requirements as to form, authentication and...
In section 1087 (material not available for public inspection), in...
(1) Section 1126 (consents required for certain prosecutions) is amended...
(1) A person who, at the end of the period...
(1) This paragraph applies in relation to a company in...
(1) Anything left of a sum paid into court under...
Sections 1103, 1104 and 1107 of the Companies Act 2006...
For the purposes of any offence under this Part of...
The following sections of the Companies Act 2006 apply for...
(1) In this Part of this Schedule— “cancellation date” has...
(1) Until section 94 (option to keep information on central...
The Companies Act 2006 is amended as follows.
In section 122 (share warrants)— (a) for subsections (1) and...
In section 617 (alteration of share capital of limited company),...
In section 652 (liability of members following reduction of capital),...
(1) Omit section 780 (duty of company as to issue...
Part 8 of the Companies Act 2006 (a company's members)...
The Companies Act 2006 is amended as follows.
In section 12 (statement of proposed officers), in subsection (2),...
In section 112 (the members of a company), after subsection...
In section 127 (register to be evidence), after the words...
In section 246 (putting the address on the public record)—...
In section 286 (votes of joint holders of shares), in...
In section 311 (contents of notices of meetings), in subsection...
In section 360B (traded companies: requirements for participating in and...
In section 554 (registration of allotment), after subsection (2) insert—...
In Chapter 2 (register of members), before section 113 insert—...
In section 558 (when shares are allotted), after “members” insert...
In section 588 (liability of subsequent holders of shares), in...
In section 605 (liability of subsequent holders of shares), in...
In section 616 (interpretation of Chapter 7), in subsection (3),...
In section 655 (shares no bar to damages against company),...
In section 724 (Treasury shares), in subsection (4), after “members”...
In section 770 (registration of transfer), after subsection (2) insert—...
In section 771 (procedure on transfer being lodged), after subsection...
In section 772 (transfer of shares on application of transferor)—...
In section 786 (provision enabling or requiring arrangements to be...
In section 1068 (registrar's requirements as to form, authentication and...
(1) Section 1081 (annotation of the register) is amended as...
In section 1094 (administrative removal of material from the register),...
In section 1136 (regulations about where certain company records to...
In Schedule 5 (communications by a company)—
In Schedule 8 (index of defined expressions), in the appropriate...
In Chapter 3 of Part 8 of the Companies Act...
Chapter 2 of Part 10 of the Companies Act 2006...
Under the heading “Register of directors, etc”, before section 162...
Part 12 of the Companies Act 2006 (company secretaries) is...
After section 274 insert— Alternative method of record-keeping Sections 275 and 276 must be read with sections 279A...
The Companies Act 2006 is amended as follows.
In section 644 (registration of resolution reducing share capital), in...
In section 649 (registration of court order confirming reduction of...
In section 663 (notice to registrar of cancellation of shares),...
In section 689 (notice to registrar of redemption), in subsection...
In section 708 (notice to registrar of cancellation on purchase...
In section 720B (registration of resolution etc. for purchase of...
In section 730 (notification of cancellation of treasury shares), in...
In section 10 (statement of capital and initial shareholdings), in...
In section 32 (constitutional documents to be provided to members),...
In section 108 (statement of capital required on re-registration as...
In section 555 (return of allotment by limited company), in...
In section 619 (notice to registrar of sub-division or consolidation),...
In section 621 (notice to registrar of reconversion of stock...
In section 625 (notice to registrar of redenomination), in subsection...
In section 627 (notice to registrar of reduction of capital...
The Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986 is amended as follows....
In section 8A (variation etc of disqualification undertaking), in subsection...
In section 10 (participation in wrongful trading), after subsection (2)...
(1) Section 16 (application for disqualification order) is amended as...
(1) Section 17 (application for leave under an order or...
In section 18 (register of disqualification orders and undertakings), in...
In section 20 (admissibility in evidence of statements), in subsection...
In section 21 (interaction with Insolvency Act 1986), in each...
In section 22 (interpretation), after subsection (2) insert—
In section 22A (application of Act to building societies), omit...
In section 22B (application of Act to incorporated friendly societies)—...
In section 1 (disqualification orders: general) in subsection (2), for...
In section 22C (application of Act to NHS foundation trusts)...
Omit section 22D (application of Act to open-ended investment companies)....
(1) Section 22E (application of Act to registered societies) is...
In section 22F (application of Act to charitable incorporated organisations)...
Omit paragraph 28 of Schedule 2 to the Companies (Audit,...
Omit section 1039 of the Companies Act 2006 (disqualification orders...
(1) Section 1A (disqualification undertakings: general) is amended as follows....
(1) Section 2 (disqualification on conviction of indictable offence) is...
(1) Section 3 (disqualification for persistent breaches of companies legislation)...
In section 5 (disqualification on summary conviction), after subsection (4A)...
In section 6 (duty of court to disqualify unfit directors...
In section 7 (disqualifications under section 6: applications and undertakings),...
Before section 8A insert— “ Further provision about disqualification undertakings...
In this Schedule “the 2002 Order” means the Company Directors...
Omit paragraph 65 of Schedule 2 to the Insolvency (Northern...
(1) After Article 8 of the 2002 Order insert— Disqualification...
(1) The 2002 Order is amended as follows.
(1) In Article 10(2) of the 2002 Order (period within...
(1) The 2002 Order is amended as follows.
(1) The 2002 Order is amended as follows.
After Article 19 of the 2002 Order insert— Compensation orders...
(1) The 2002 Order is amended as follows.
Abolition of requirements to hold meetings; opted-out creditors
The Insolvency Act 1986 is amended in accordance with this...
(1) Schedule B1 (administration) is amended as follows.
(1) Schedule 10 (offences) is amended as follows.
(1) Section 48 (report by administrative receiver - England and...
In section 49(1) (committee of creditors - England and Wales),...
(1) Section 67 (report by receiver - Scotland) is amended...
In section 68(1) (committee of creditors - Scotland), for the...
In section 92A(1) (members' voluntary winding-up in England and Wales:...
In section 93(1) (members' voluntary winding-up in Scotland: company meeting...
For section 94 (members' voluntary winding up: final meeting of...
(1) Section 95 (effect of company's insolvency) is amended as...
In section 2(2) (nominee's report on company's proposal), for paragraphs...
(1) For section 96 (conversion to creditors' voluntary winding up)...
In section 97(2) (application of Chapter 4), for “98 and...
Omit section 98 (meeting of creditors).
For section 100(1) (appointment of liquidator) substitute—
(1) Section 101 (appointment of liquidation committee) is amended as...
Omit section 102 (creditors' meeting where winding up converted under...
In section 104A (progress report to company and creditors at...
In section 105(4) (meetings of company and creditors at each...
For section 106 (creditors' voluntary winding-up: final meetings of company...
(1) Section 3 (summoning of meetings) is amended as follows....
In section 114(2) (powers of directors in voluntary winding up...
(1) Section 136 (functions of official receiver in relation to...
(1) Section 137 (appointment by Secretary of State) is amended...
(1) Section 138 (appointment of liquidator in Scotland) is amended...
(1) Section 139 (choice of liquidator at meetings of creditors...
In section 140(3) (appointment of liquidator by court following administration...
In section 141 (liquidation committee: England and Wales) for subsections...
(1) Section 142 (liquidation committee (Scotland)) is amended as follows....
In section 160(1) (delegation of court's powers to liquidator (England...
(1) Section 4 (decisions of meetings) is amended as follows....
(1) Section 166 (liquidator's powers and duties in creditors' voluntary...
In section 168 (liquidator's supplementary powers: England and Wales) for...
(1) Section 171 (removal of liquidator in voluntary winding up)...
(1) Section 172 (removal of liquidator in compulsory winding up)...
(1) Section 173 (release of liquidator in voluntary winding up)...
(1) Section 174 (release of liquidator in compulsory winding up)...
Omit section 194 (resolutions passed at adjourned meetings).
(1) Section 195 (meetings to ascertain wishes of creditors or...
(1) Section 201 (voluntary winding up - dissolution) is amended...
In section 202(3) (early dissolution in England and Wales) after...
(1) Section 4A (approval of arrangement) is amended as follows....
In section 204(2) (early dissolution: Scotland) for “meeting or meetings”...
(1) Section 205 (compulsory winding up - dissolution) is amended...
In section 208(2) (misconduct in course of winding up), for...
(1) Schedule 10 (offences) is amended as follows.
(1) Section 246A (remote attendance at meetings) is amended as...
In section 387(2) and (2A) (definition of “relevant date”) for...
In section 433(3)(a) (admissibility of evidence in statement of affairs...
(1) Section 434B (representation of companies at meetings) is amended...
In Schedule 8, after paragraph 9 insert— Provision about how a company's creditors may nominate a person...
(1) Paragraph 10 of Schedule 8 (power to make provision...
(1) Section 5 (effect of approval) is amended as follows....
The Insolvency Act 1986 is amended in accordance with this...
(1) Section 256 (nominee's report on debtor's proposal) is amended...
(1) Section 256A (nominee's report on debtor's proposal) is amended...
In the heading before section 257, for “meeting” substitute “...
(1) Section 257 (summoning of creditors' meeting) is amended as...
(1) Section 258 (decision of creditors' meeting) is amended as...
(1) Section 259 (report of decisions to court) is amended...
(1) Section 260 (effect of approval) is amended as follows....
(1) Section 261 (additional effect on undischarged bankrupt) is amended...
(1) Section 262 (challenge of meeting's decision) is amended as...
(1) Section 6 (challenge of decisions) is amended as follows....
In section 262B(1) (prosecution of delinquent debtors), for “creditors' meeting...
In section 262C (arrangements coming to an end prematurely), for...
In section 263(1) (implementation and supervision of approved voluntary arrangement),...
In section 276(1)(b)(ii) (default in connection with voluntary arrangement) for...
In section 283(4)(a) (definition of bankrupt's estate), for the words...
In section 287(3)(c) (powers of interim receiver), for “summon a...
In section 296(5) (trustee to give notice relating to creditors'...
(1) Section 298 (trustee's vacation of office) is amended as...
(1) Section 299 (release of trustee) is amended as follows....
(1) Section 300 (vacancy in office of trustee) is amended...
In section 7(2)(a) for “given at one or both of...
(1) Section 301 (creditors' committees) is amended as follows.
In section 330 (final distribution), after subsection (1) insert—
(1) Section 331 (final meeting) is amended as follows.
In section 332(2) (bankrupt's home), for “summon a meeting under...
In Schedule 9, after paragraph 12 insert— Provision about how a bankrupt's creditors may appoint a person...
In paragraph 13 of Schedule 9 (creditors' committee)—
Omit section 379A (remote attendance at meetings) and the heading...
(1) Schedule A1 (moratorium where directors propose voluntary arrangement) is...
The Insolvency Act 1986 is amended as provided in paragraphs...
Omit paragraph 10 of Schedule 9 (exercise by official receiver...
In paragraph 30 of Schedule 9 omit “, of the...
In Schedule 19 to the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act...
In section 286(3) (interim receiver to have powers and duties...
(1) Section 287 (receivership pending appointment of first trustee) is...
(1) Section 292 (power to make appointments) is amended as...
Omit sections 293 to 295 (meeting of creditors to appoint...
In section 296 (appointment of trustee by Secretary of State)—...
Omit section 297.
(1) Section 298 (removal of trustees) is amended as follows....
Single regulator of insolvency practitioners: supplementary provision
(1) This Schedule has effect in relation to regulations under...
The Regulations may provide that the Secretary of State may...
(1) This paragraph applies if the Regulations make provision designating...
(1) The Regulations must prescribe the name by which the...
The Regulations must provide that— (a) the body may appoint...
(1) The Regulations may make provision about the proceedings of...
(1) The Regulations may make provision— (a) about the setting...
The Regulations may make provision as to the circumstances and...
(1) The Regulations may make provision authorising the body to...
(1) The Regulations must require the body, at least once...
Official guidance
Authoritative sources published by regulators or government explaining this legislation.
- PCA Market Rent Only guidance (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- Scottish alcohol licensing guidance (opens in a new tab) Publication
- Guidance on the licensing of late night refreshment (opens in a new tab) from Home Office Publication
- Section 182 statutory guidance (February 2026) (opens in a new tab) from Home Office Publication
- Apply for a premises licence (opens in a new tab) from Home Office Detailed Guidance
- Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 guidance (opens in a new tab) Publication
- NI Direct - liquor licensing (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- UK Export Finance (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- Apply for innovation funding (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- Apply for a Start Up Loan (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- ... and 2 more
Enforcement and responsible bodies
The regulators that administer or enforce this legislation.
HMRC
PrimaryHM Revenue & Customs
Tax collection, customs duties, national insurance, tax credits, and enforcement of the National Minimum Wage. Regulates all UK businesses for tax compliance …
Registration and regulation of UK companies. Maintains the public register of companies, enforces filing requirements for annual accounts and confirmation statements. Gateway …
Competition and Markets Authority
Promotes competitive markets and tackles unfair behaviour. Investigates mergers, enforces competition law, and has specific digital markets powers. Digital Markets Unit (DMU) …
Financial Conduct Authority
Regulation of financial services firms and markets. Supervises banks, insurers, investment firms, payment services, and cryptoasset businesses. Issues authorisations and enforces conduct …
The Insolvency Service
Administers compulsory company liquidations and personal bankruptcies. Investigates director misconduct and can seek disqualification orders. Manages redundancy payments from the National Insurance …
Pubs Code Adjudicator
Enforces the Pubs Code regulating the relationship between tied pub tenants and large pub-owning businesses (500+ tied pubs). Ensures fair dealing and …
Connected legislation
2 statutory instruments
These instruments amend, apply, or refer to this Act. They may not all create direct business obligations.
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Browse legislation
Find other UK business legislation with related guidance.
Regulators
Learn more about the bodies that enforce this legislation.