Historically, UK companies were required by law to keep and maintain a set of statutory registers. Statutory registers are records which detail certain information about a company from incorporation until present day. Companies were obliged to hold internal books setting out information such as members, directors, charges and people with significant control. As well these so-called ‘statutory registers’ which were compulsory under the Companies Act 2006 (CA 2006), many companies also elected to maintain non-statutory registers, such as registers of allotments and transfers.
The requirement to maintain statutory registers changed on 18 November 2025, when the Economic Crime & Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA 2023) reformed the CA 2006, so that UK companies are no longer required to hold registers other than a register of members. The reforms are aimed at shifting the focus away from localised registers in favour of the public register at Companies House. In line with this approach, there are enhanced duties to keep and maintain accurate records at Companies House, making it even more important that a company’s records on the public register are correct.
While most registers are no longer a statutory requirement under the CA 2006 (as reformed by the ECCTA 2023), there is still an obligation to keep a register of members, which will continue to provide evidence of who the members of a company are. The reforms have also expanded the scope of the register of members, for example, a shareholder’s full name without abbreviations must be included. Failure to maintain a register of members in accordance with the requirements is an offence under the CA 2006.
Although other company registers are no longer required by law, it is anticipated that many companies will continue to maintain them internally, with the aim to promote orderly corporate records. This is particularly relevant for owners preparing to sell their company, as it is likely that a prospective buyer will want to see a copy of the company’s registers. While not yet in force, directors should also be aware that, under the changes introduced by the ECCTA 2023, companies will be required to file a one-off confirmation statement at Companies House, which will need to include prescribed information in respect of the company’s shareholders.
The changes under the ECCTA 2023 have increased the importance of a company’s records at Companies House, which will now be relied upon more frequently to evidence a company’s corporate records. If you have not already done so, now is a good time to review your company’s filing history to ensure its submissions are true and accurate.
If you would like an audit of your Companies House file or want to better understand your company’s obligations under the ECCTA 2023 reforms, please do not hesitate to contact Iola Cameron on 01892 515022 or by email at IAC@cooperburnett.com
This blog is not intended as legal advice that can be relied upon.
