Types of Companies

Private company limited by shares (Limited or Ltd)

The standard trading company and by far the most usual type of company. It confers full limited liability on its members, must have at least one director and one shareholder. Check that you have all the required information and register on line now.

Public limited company (PLC)

For companies that want to sell shares to the public. A PLC must have at least two directors, two shareholders and a company secretary. Its initial share capital must be at least £50,000 of which at least 25% must be paid up on incorporation. Before a PLC can conduct any business, it must make a return to Companies House stating that it has raised its minimum share capital and received from Companies House its trading certificate. Check that you have all the required information and register on line now.

Limited liability partnership (LLP)

Widely used for small business and professional firms. A hybrid between a company and a partnership. Check that you have all the required information and register on line now.

Property management company

Often set up where a property is divided into units, e.g. flats in a building, to manage the common parts and, often, the freehold of the property, the articles specify the property address and have special rules. Such a company may be limited by shares or limited by guarantee. Check that you have all the required information and register on line now.

Right to manage company (RTM)

A special company where leaseholders are exercising rights under the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002. Check that you have all the required information and register on line now.

Standard company limited by guarantee

Most companies limited by guarantee have specially drafted articles, a service provided by Community Companies. Alternatively, you can register such a company using our standard articles. We provide two alternative sets of articles:

• Company limited by guarantee that allows profits to be paid to its members and salaries and fees paid to its directors, and
• Company limited by guarantee that prohibits the payment of profits to members, requires any surplus assets on winding up to be given to charity and prohibits the payment of salaries or fees to its directors.

Check that you have all the required information and register on line now.

Company limited by guarantee with special articles

Community Companies provides a specialist service for this type of company

Charitable company limited by guarantee

Charitable companies must have specially drafted articles, Community Companies provides a specialist service for this type of company.

Community Interest Company (CIC)

It is impossible to register a Community Interest Company electronically and specialist drafting is required. Community Companies provides an expert service for this type of company.

Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC)

A company with articles meeting the requirements for acceptance by HM Revenue and Customs as a CASC. Community Companies provides a specialist service for this type of company.