Establish a Branch or Place of Business in the United Kingdom
. Many organisations want to expand into the UK but for many reasons may not want to establish an incorporated entity in the United Kingdom. Instead they may wish to register a branch or place of business as an overseas company. Some companies receive tax breaks and government development grants by continuing to be incorporated in their home country while they attempt to establish a UK operation. What is a branch? A branch is a part of a company that is organised so as to conduct business on behalf of a company as opposed to carrying on business which is merely ancillary or incidental to the company's business as a whole. In other words, a person will be able to deal direct with a branch of the foreign company in Great Britain rather than with that company in its country of incorporation. What is a place of business? A place of business is premises where there is a physical or visible indication that the company may be contacted there, or a particular location where the company habitually conducts business from, even if there is no physical sign of the company's connection with it.
However, as the business carried on at that place is only ancillary or incidental to the company's business as a whole, it does not amount to a branch. Such activities might include internal computer processing, warehousing or simply a representative office. This website aim to help you understand some of the many things you need to think about when you are starting and running a business. You can now establish your branch or place of business online using our company registration agent, Coddan CPM - an online business formation agent in the UK. Our company is designed to provide information and guidance in starting and developing foreign business within the United Kingdom. Allow us to help you establish your branch and get it running, to select the best business for incorporation, or to register your branch with the Companies House. We supply expert advice in navigating English legal and business systems helping you set up in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and/or the Republic of Ireland. If you have an idea for a business, we can also assist you in start-up your new business directly in the UK from the ground up. In the UK, you must register your business, which we can do for you. Let us know how we can help.
Choose one of the following packages that will best serve you:
Further information
Coddan UK subsidiary company formation agent, we help with whether you are a professional foreign branch incorporation agent, starting business online, English subsidiary company formations agent, for whom foreign branch creation is a frequent activity or an individual ordering your first British subsidiary registration. We are providing foreign company set-up. Online foreign branch and subsidiary company Formation UK & One-Day branch Registration in London. UK foreign branch and subsidiaries formations and Small Business Startup Advice. Starting business help and company registrations in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. Coddan - Online Foreign Subsidiary Company & Business Start-Up Agent in United Kingdom! You can now form and register foreign subsidiary company using our business establishment agent.
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An outline of the general steps for incorporation in Great Britain, explaining how to setting your business, from choosing where to establish your business and how to incorporate.
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This package is designed for businesses who wish to form a branch of their foreign company in the UK, and includes: The examination of your application and documents for compliance with UK law The preparation of Form BR1 (if the company has an authorised representative in the UK) The submission of Form BR1 and supporting documents which detail the executive officers of the company. (Only one authorised representative is required to establish a branch; this person need not be a director or secretary) The registration of a branch within 3-4 weeks The payment of UK legal and initiation fees The following documents will be posted to you (these documents will be sent via Royal Mail): A laminated copy of the Certificate of Registration
Place of Business
£ 250.00
This package is designed for businesses who wish to register a Place of Business in the UK for their foreign company, and includes: The examination of your application and documents for compliance with UK law The preparation and submission of Form 691 (if the company has no authorised representative in the UK) The registration of a Place of Business within 3-4 weeks The payment of UK legal and initiation fees The following documents will be posted to you (these documents will be sent via Royal Mail): A laminated copy of the Certificate of Registration
Business Start-Up: Legal Requirements
If the company has no representatives who can make decisions in the UK then use form 691. If the company has a representative who can make decisions in the UK then use form BR1. Only one person is required to set up a branch. A director or secretaries are not required. The branch is required to have a registered office in the UK. An oversea company must deliver the following to the Registrar: A completed form BR1 or 691. A certified copy of the company's constitutional documents. A copy of the latest set of audited accounts required to be published by parent law.
ESTABLISHING A BRANCH OR PLACE OF BUSINESS IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND AND WALES: SETTING UP A NEW BRANCH IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
Many organisations want to expand into the UK but for many reasons may not want to establish an incorporated entity in the UK. Instead they may wish to register a branch or place of business as an oversea company. Some companies receive tax breaks and government development grants by continuing to be incorporated in their home country while they attempt to establish a UK operation.
The fact that a foriegn company is carrying on business in Great Britain does not automatically mean that the company has to register with Companies House. However, the Companies Act 1985 requires every oversea company which establishes some type of place of business in Great Britain to deliver certain documents to Companies House. To this end, a "place of business" is a premises where there is a physical or visible indication that the company may be contacted there. An oversea company also has to register if it habitually conducts business from a particular location in Great Britain even if there is no physical sign of the company's connection with it. We have a wealth of experience in both forming and structuring branches and can advise you on whether this type of vehicle is suitable for your needs.
Starting a new company is not particularly difficult, although two legal documents, the Articles and Memorandum of Association (the company's constitution), will need to be prepared and copies submitted with the application to the Registrar of Companies at Companies House. Many small businesses choose to use the services of a formations agent to undertake all of these formalities on their behalf. Whether you are setting up a business, start your own business or continuing to grow a company, we can help.
Our Service
Many organisations want to expand into the UK but for many reasons may not want to establish an incorporated entity in the UK. Instead they may wish to to register a branch or place of business as an oversea company. Some companies receive tax breaks and government development grants by continuing to be incorporated in their home country while they attempt to to establish a UK operation. The fact that a foreign company is carrying on business in Great Britain does not automatically mean that the company has to register with Companies House. However, the Companies Act 1985 requires every oversea company which establishes some type of place of business in Great Britain to deliver certain documents to Companies House. To this end, a place of business is a premise where there is a physical or visible indication that the company may be contacted there. An oversea company also has to register if it habitually conducts business from a particular location in Great Britain even if there is no physical sign of the company's connection with it.
Live Help: Live Help is a real time "chat" feature which enables you to interact with a customer service representative without a phone call. Get answers to your questions while using our website. Clicking the "Live Help" button will start an on-line session with one of our representatives. Live Help is currently available during normal business hours. Outside of the above opening hours, our business center will be closed. When you click on the button, you will see an e-mail form that will allow you to send us a mail with your questions. Live Help is free! There are no hidden fees. We offer the service as a courtesy to our website visitors.
Dear visitors, while having a chat session with a customer, we are frequently requested to give a piece of advice on tax planning or business structuring. We would like to inform you that it is against our principles to provide online advice pertaining to these issues. The points that may be covered during a session include service description, package or service price, navigation at our website, ways of making an order, methods of payment etc. Yet, if you wish us to provide you with advice on tax or business structuring, you should be aware that this service is chargeable.
We accept phone orders during normal business hours. Credit cards are the preferred method of payment; we accept VISA, MasterCard and Delta. We can accept payment in UK Pounds Sterling, US Dollars, Euros, Australian Dollars and Canadian Dollars. If you call and receive voicemail, just leave your name and number, as clearly and as possible, and we will call you back as soon as possible.
Monday - Friday: 9:30am to 17:30pm Saturday: (offices are closed) Sunday: (offices are closed) Holidays: (offices are closed on all recognized UK holidays).
Money and Payment Policy: Coddan accepts all major currencies. We accept Visa, Visa Electron, Visa Purchasing, JCB, MasterCard, Solo, Switch and Delta. We do NOT charge "surcharges" for credit card transactions. If you do not feel comfortable transmitting your credit card number and other information on the Internet, we suggest you place an order online, choose "Credit Card via Phone" as the payment method, and then phone in to give us your credit card number over the phone. We will charge your credit card manually. Pre-payment with cashier's check or money order is accepted. We accept wire-transfer from anywhere. After you place your order, details about the wire-transfer process will be e-mailed to you on the second e-mail notification. If you missed that e-mail, please call our toll-free number that is given on the order confirmation.
If you have any questions about the companies or partnerships incorporation then please E-Mail or call us: 0800 081 1510 or +44 (0) 207 637 3881, fax: +44 20 7681 3318.
OVERSEA COMPANIES IN GREAT BRITAIN. INTRODUCTION
Many organisations want to expand into the UK but for many reasons may not want to establish an incorporated entity in the UK. The UK has an open, transparent and business-friendly system to encourage the formation of new businesses. There are more than 2 million registered companies in the UK, with over 330,000 new registrations each year. No permission is required to establish a business presence in the UK, although there are regulations on the use of business names and certain business sectors which may require licences or authorisation (such as finance, defence and oil exploration).
The majority of foreign investors will establish a UK registered company when setting up in the UK. There are four different types of UK registered company:
Private company limited by shares ("Ltd") - the members' liability is limited to the amount unpaid on shares they hold.
Private company limited by guarantee - the members' liability is limited to the amount they have agreed to contribute to the company's assets if it is wound up.
Private unlimited company - there is no limit to the members' liability.
Public company limited by shares ("Plc") - the company's shares are offered for sale to the general public through a stock exchange and the members' liability is limited to the amount unpaid on shares held by them.
The vast majority of foreign businesses are established as a company limited by shares, either as a private limited company or as a public limited company. Most foreign companies set up a private limited company that is a subsidiary of the overseas company. Instead of registering a UK company, foreign businesses can establish a presence in the UK through the following:
A branch
A place of business
A partnership
A limited partnership
A limited liability partnership
A joint venture
A European public limited company (SE)
Instead they may wish to register a branch or place of business as an oversea company. Some companies receive tax breaks and government development grants by continuing to be incorporated in their home country while they attempt to establish a UK operation. The fact that a foreign company is carrying on business in Great Britain does not automatically mean that the company has to register with Companies House.
However, the Companies Act 1985 requires every oversea company which establishes some type of place of business in Great Britain to deliver certain documents to Companies House. To this end, a "place of business" is a premise where there is a physical or visible indication that the company may be contacted there. An oversea company also has to register if it habitually conducts business from a particular location in Great Britain even if there is no physical sign of the company's connection with it.
It has long been a requirement that "oversea companies" establishing a "place of business in Great Britain" have to comply with certain registration requirements at the companies' registry either in England and Wales or in Scotland. Since 1993, there has been a separate set of provisions which apply where an oversea company opens a "branch" in Great Britain (i.e. England and Wales and Scotland).
Establishing a Branch in England from only £150.00! All Inclusive UK Branch Registration Service! Coddan's new service is designed to let you establish a UK branch of your overseas company. By completing our online branch registration form, you can effortlessly initiate the process which will see your new UK branch registered in as little as 3 to 4 weeks. As part of this package, we are offering free advice on the naming of your branch and a free name availability service. Upon formation of your branch, you will receive a laminated copy of the Certificate of Registration.
In order to determine, therefore, which set of regulations apply to a foreign company setting up business in Great Britain, it is now necessary to consider whether the company has opened a branch, or established a place of business. (Note that where a foreign company has created a presence in some way which is neither a branch nor a place of business, no registration requirements will apply).
This section sets out to explain the distinction between a branch and place of business and to provide an outline of the registration and related requirements for all oversea companies that establish such place of business or branch in Great Britain. However, this is only an outline guide, and further legal advice should be sought where necessary.
NB: In March 1998 the Department of Trade and Industry launched a review of the framework of company law with a view to developing a simple, modern and cost effective infrastructure for carrying out business activity. An independent steering group was formed to oversee the management of the review and, following an extensive process of consultation, presented its final report on 26 July 2001.
The proposals cover a whole raft of areas, including company reporting and audit, directors' duties, obligations on small and private companies, and institutional arrangements. One of the recommendations made is for the law on oversea companies to be simplified, in particular replacing the two overlapping regimes with a single set of procedures and updating disclosure requirements. The first White Paper which the government has produced as a result of this process endorses the recommendations with respect to oversea companies, although no date has yet been set for legislation to be passed.
WHAT IS A BRANCH?
A branch is a part of a company that is organised so as to conduct business on behalf of a company as opposed to carrying on business which is merely ancillary or incidental to the company's business as a whole. In other words a person will be able to deal direct with a branch of the foreign company in Great Britain rather than with that company in its country of incorporation. Other types of commercial enterprises (for instance partnerships and unincorporated bodies (cannot register in Great Britain as a branch). You May Use This Link to Apply for a Branch Registration in the UK:Branch Registration Application Form
WHAT IS A PLACE OF BUSINESS?
A place of business is premises where there is a physical or visible indication that the company may be contacted there, or a particular location where the company habitually conducts business from, even if there is no physical sign of the company's connection with it. However, as the business carried on at that place is only ancillary or incidental to the company's business as a whole, it does not amount to a branch.
Such activities might include internal computer processing, warehousing or simply a representative office. Note that where there is no physical location in Great Britain, registration is not required. For example, an independent agent who conducts business on behalf of the company is not a place of business of an oversea company. Neither is an occasional location such as a hotel where a director may conduct business during periodic visits to this country. You May Use This Link to Apply for Establish a Place of Business:Establish a Place of Business in the UK
BACKGROUND
Oversea companies which establish a business in Great Britain without incorporating it as a GB company are currently required to register specified company information at Companies House (e.g. details of the company constitution, directors, addresses etc). These registration requirements are designed to provide protection for third parties in Great Britain who have dealings with the business (and hence with the oversea company). For example, creditors and others are able to access information about the company, including its accounts.
The current law is very complex. There are two systems of registration: one based on the requirements of an EC Directive on oversea companies (the 11th Company Law Directive); and an older pre-existing system that had developed separately in Great Britain. The proposal is to introduce a new single system based on the EC Directive and thus to achieve significant simplification of the registration requirements.
The complexity of the current rules makes compliance more difficult, because there is a risk that oversea companies will be unsure which of the two existing regimes they should follow. Increasing the clarity and accessibility of the rules can therefore help raise compliance. It will also enable Companies House and other Government bodies to publicise more effectively the rules which should be followed.
SCALE AND EFFECT
Many oversea companies seeking opportunities in Great Britain set up a GB company and are covered by UK company law in the normal way. However, sometimes an oversea company may choose to establish a business in Great Britain without forming a new company. There are currently around 7,400 registered oversea companies which have chosen this course.
OPTIONS
Three options have been identified for regulating oversea companies which establish a place of business in Great Britain without incorporating it as a GB company:
Option 1: To introduce a single "branch" registration regime based on the existing concept of "branches" and the registration requirements set out in the 11th Company Law Directive. ("Branch" implies a more significant presence than a mere place of business).
Option 2: To introduce a single "place of business" registration regime based on the existing concept of "place of business" and the registration requirements set out in the 11* Company Law Directive. (A "place of business" means a specified or identifiable place at which the company carries on business which has more than a fleeting character; where there is some visible sign or physical indication that the company has a connection with particular premises. Thus "place of business" encompasses both a branch and a presence less substantial than a branch).
Option 3: To maintain the current dual registration regime: one for "branches" (which implements the 11th Company Law Directive); and one for "places of business" which are not branches. The registration requirements are similar, but not identical under the two regimes, and due to the Directive, slightly more information needs to be provided by those oversea companies subject to the "branch" regime.
BENEFITS OR RISKS OF EACH OPTION
Option 1: Introducing a single regime based on the existing concept of "branches" would simplify the registration system and be compatible with the Directive. A single registration regime would remove the need for oversea companies to face complex questions on initial registration and subsequently as to whether their activities here amount to those of a branch or a place of business.
It would also remove the need for the current complex transitional provisions which enable oversea companies to transfer from one regime to the other. Under this option, only those companies establishing businesses considered to be "branches" would be required to register. This would reduce the scope of oversea companies required to register information at Companies House - thus only the more substantial presence of a "branch" would have to be registered. This would reduce the information available to third parties, including the Inland Revenue.
Option 2: Introducing a single regime based on the existing concept of "place of business" and the registration requirements set out in the Directive would simplify the regime and be compatible with the Directive. The other benefits stated in paragraph 8 apply equally to this option. There is already a major body of British case law on what constitutes an established place of business and it is clear that the concept of established place of business encompasses branches.
This option would therefore simplify the system, without reducing the information which is publicly available, as outlined under Option 1. It would increase slightly the filing requirements for those oversea companies which would currently fall within the "place of business" rather than the "branch" regime.
Option 2: Maintaining the current dual registration regimes would not meet the objective of simplifying the rules. Oversea companies would continue to face complex questions on initial registration and subsequently, and the rules themselves would be more complex. Transitional provisions would also continue to be needed to enable oversea companies to transfer from one regime to the other.
PREFERRED OPTION
Only Option 2 meets the objective of reforming the law in a simple and effective way compatible with EC requirements, whilst preserving the amount of information published at Companies House about oversea companies which have established a place of business here. It is thus the preferred choice.
ASSESSING THE COSTS
The Department sent questionnaires to a number of oversea companies currently registered under the "place of business" regime to try and identify information about the costs and benefits of the proposals. Unfortunately no information could be provided. However, it should be noted that these proposals will largely affect oversea companies which, in future, establish a business in Great Britain.
Oversea companies with a GB branch already registered will be unaffected by the proposals while those currently subject to the "place of business" regime will be required to disclose minor additional information to Companies House. However, for the first time they will be able to file the accounts which their home state requires them to prepare and publish, instead of an additional set of accounts as required at present. For these oversea companies there will therefore be a year on year saving from not having to prepare an additional set of accounts.
BRANCH REGISTRATION, FILING AND DISCLOSURE
Initial Registration: If an oversea company opens a branch in Great Britain then it is required to register its branch with the Registrar of Companies (either the Registrar of Companies for England and Wales, or the Registrar of Companies for Scotland, depending on the location of the branch (the "Registrar")). Within one month of having opened a branch in a part of Great Britain, an oversea company must deliver the following to the Registrar: a completed form BR1 (containing much detail about the company and its officers; a certified copy (of the company's constitutional documents (e.g. bylaws, charter, statute, operating agreement); a copy of the latest set of audited accounts required to be published by parent law; and the current registration fee).
Filing Requirements with Respect to Alterations: Any changes to the original information filed need to be notified to the Registrar within 21 days of such change, on the following forms: Form BR2 - Changes to the constitutional documents of an oversea company. Form BR3 - Changes to the company details, including the head office address, the parent law, the place of registration, and the issued share capital of the company. Form BR4 - Changes of director or secretary or of their particulars. Form BR5 -Change in details of the branch, including address and the nature of the business.
Form BRG - Change of person authorised to accept process of service or to represent the company in the business of the branch, or of their particulars. Form BR7 - Change of branch against which the constitutional documents and accounts of the company
UK Company with Bearer Shares
Register a Branch in the UK
£ 150.00
This package is designed for businesses who wish to form a branch of their foreign company in the UK, and includes:
The examination of your application and documents for compliance with UK law
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