6e A Company’s Name

Question 1

A company’s name cannot:

Answer 1

• Be the same or virtually the same as another.
• Cannot use illegal or offensive words.
• Must have Secretary of State’s consent to use words such as University, Royal, National etc.
• Cannot use words to indicate it’s a different form of company.

Question 2

What are the rules around the disclosure of the company’s name?

Answer 2

Name must be displayed at certain locations and on certain documents as specified by regulations made by Secretary of State.
The name must also be legible on the company seal should it choose to have one.
Breach of this can lead to a fine.

Question 3

The Secretary of State can make a company change its name under which circumstances and within what time period?

Answer 3

• Name too alike - 12 months
• Misleading name - No time limit
• Misleading info given when applying for name that required approval - 5 years