Please note: The information contained in this article is correct as of 28/04/20. Due to the ongoing nature of the coronavirus situation, government guidance is continuing to change. While we will do our best to update the information contained in our blogs, we would always advise you speak with a solicitor for specific advice.

On Tuesday 28th April 2020, Companies House released their latest update on how businesses should file documents with them during the COVID-19 lockdown, in order to comply with the government’s social distancing guidelines and to avoid documents having to be sent in the post.

Companies House has stated it is “urgently working on an online service to upload and send documents to Companies House securely and make a payment where necessary.”  We are closely monitoring this situation in order to continue to ensure that our clients are fully compliant while working remotely ourselves. However, this means that there are still some documents which have to be filed by post.

Since our last update, the strike off process has been paused to prevent companies being dissolved and allow them to update their records to help them avoid being struck off the register, during the current crisis. The late filing penalties process has also been changed and appeals will now be looked at sympathetically, if caused as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. These measures will be reviewed on a monthly basis.

Companies House has also expanded the list of documents that can now be filed electronically to include the Registrar’s powers forms.

The list of documents that will now be accepted online by Companies House is gradually expanding. The documents you can electronically submit include;

  • Appointment and resignation of officers

  • Company accounts,

  • Confirmation statements,

  • Making changes to your company accounting reference date, name, registered office

  • Issuing new shares’

  • Creating and releasing mortgages and charges

  • Changes to PSC details

You can find the full list of electronic documents currently accepted here.

As it stands, we are still having to send some documents on behalf of clients by post and are eagerly anticipating a full electronic system to submit documents. In the meantime, we urge businesses to remain patient and continue to follow the current processes to avoid penalties which could cause additional stress during these difficult times.

For further advice and guidance on any corporate law matters, please get in touch with the team at Farleys. We are here to help and can be contacted by phone on 0845 287 0939 or by email at info@farleys.com.