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Fixed assets meaning

What does Fixed assets mean?
In legal and transactional practice, fixed assets are the long-term resources of a company—such as land and buildings, plant and machinery, office equipment, vehicles and certain intangibles—held for continuing use in the business to generate profits, rather than for resale. The term is descriptive and used across company law, finance and insolvency. In statutory accounts, the Companies Act 2006 (UK) and Companies Act 2014 (Ireland) balance sheet formats refer to fixed assets, typically analysed as intangible assets, tangible assets and investments. Under UK and Irish GAAP (FRS 102) and IFRS, the parallel concept is non-current assets or property, plant and equipment, with recognition based on expected use over more than one period, initial measurement at cost, and subsequent depreciation or amortisation (and possible impairment). Key legal significance includes the capital/revenue distinction, the ability to grant fixed charges or legal mortgages, covenants in finance documents, and warranties, disclosures and consents on asset disposals. Accounting treatment can affect distributable profits and solvency statements. Usage and accounting treatment are broadly consistent across England & Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland; differences mainly reflect the chosen accounting framework (FRS 102 or IFRS) and sector-specific rules.
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View the related Checklists about Fixed assets

CHECKLISTS
Taking security over IP in the UK: lender checklist on mortgages and charges, ownership, validity, valuation, associated rights, and registration at Companies House and IP registries

Consider the nature of the IP right From a lender’s standpoint, use this checklist to pinpoint key points when taking IP as security and the steps to implement it... Identify the IP right and applicable law; patents, trade marks, registered designs and copyright can be mortgaged or charged... Select security: a legal mortgage (assignment plus redemption and exclusive licence‑back) offers stronger control than a fixed charge; for charges, restrict disposals and hold an executed undated assignment in escrow (verify foreign recognition)... Confirm ownership, term, existing security, licences and third‑party interests; demand warranties and title evidence, especially for unregistered rights... Assess validity and maintenance: search prior rights, check renewals and genuine use, monitor infringement, review litigation; obtain professional opinions where needed... Value the right and routes on default (licensing or sale); add complementary assets if required... Cover associated rights and materials: unregistered marks/goodwill (only with the business), unregistered designs, database right, know‑how/confidential information, domain names, and software/source code with escrow... Register...

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View the related News about Fixed assets

NEWS
Mansion House Accord: WPI Economics and PLSA warn against mandating UK pension fund allocations, citing investment freedom, limited domestic assets and bubble risks

On 16 May 2025, WPI Economics noted that pension funds already hold £280bn in UK assets and cautioned that rigid rules setting fixed allocations might have unintended consequences. The caution followed the government’s unveiling of the Mansion House Accord, under which 17 pension schemes signalled plans to open up for pension savers access to potentially higher net returns from private markets within diversified portfolios, while also increasing investment in the UK. They argued that prescriptive fixed-allocation mandates risk backfiring in practice...

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NEWS
UK pensions policy: UKSIF urges less political direction, structural reforms and higher auto-enrolment to mobilise green growth and address gender gap during government's two-stage review

The UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association (UKSIF) On 10 April 2025, the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association (UKSIF) urged ministers to avoid drastic steps, including compelling UK pension schemes to earmark a fixed share of assets under management for UK-based investments and other domestic holdings. The group also argued that the nation’s £3trn pension pot could more effectively foster economic expansion by investing in the green economy across the country. Representing a broad spectrum of financial services providers, UKSIF said the government should use the next stage of its pensions review to assess how Europe’s largest pensions market can be harnessed to deliver sustainable, long-term growth over time for Britain...

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NEWS
Avanti: High Court clarifies control threshold for fixed charges under English law; rejects total-prohibition requirement, upholds fixed security over satellite assets; HMRC priority and completion-structure implications

Re Avanti Communications Ltd [2023] EWHC 940 (Ch) This marks the first substantial judgment on the divide between fixed and floating charges since the House of Lords’ landmark ruling in Re Spectrum Plus [2005] UKHL 41, which reclassified an apparent fixed charge over book debts as floating because the chargor could freely deploy the charged assets and the security holder therefore lacked the requisite control to constitute a fixed charge. The designation of security as ‘fixed’ or ‘floating’ under English law now carries even greater weight given HMRC (the UK tax authority) ranks as a preferential creditor for certain taxes in insolvency—ie those taxes sit behind fixed charge realisations but ahead of floating charge realisations. That characterisation had a decisive effect on the order of payments in Avanti’s administration: as the charge was properly treated as fixed, the secured creditors recovered in full; had it instead been treated as floating, part of the proceeds would have been payable to HMRC (as preferential creditor) and to unsecured creditors up to...

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View the related Practice Notes about Fixed assets

PRACTICE NOTES
UK money market funds: regime essentials, authorisation, UCITS/AIFM interactions, investment and liquidity rules, CNAV/LVNAV/VNAV, and post‑Brexit reform proposals including TMPR and the Overseas Funds Regime

This Practice Note examines core aspects of the UK framework for money market funds (MMFs) that stems from Regulation (EU) 2017/1131 (the EU MMF Regulation). It also looks at suggested changes to the framework, with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), HM Treasury and the Bank of England (BoE) working jointly to bolster its resilience and align it with post‑Brexit regulatory objectives. For background on the EU MMF Regulation, see Practice Note: EU MMF Regulation—essentials. What is an MMF? Money market funds (MMFs) are investment funds that invest in short‑term debt instruments and so play a significant role in the short‑term financing of the economy. In particular, MMFs are open‑ended, liquid investment funds that invest in fixed income through short‑term debt, for example money market instruments issued by banks, governments or companies (including treasury bills, commercial paper and certificates of deposit) which pay interest. They therefore form an important connection between demand for, and the supply of, short‑term debt. Further information on the eligible assets of an MMF is...

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PRACTICE NOTES
UK corporate tax considerations for pre-sale group reorganisations: asset/share transfers, losses, degrouping, stamp taxes and VAT

Before disposing of a business or trade When planning a disposal, a corporate seller must choose the most suitable deal structure. Commercial drivers should lead, yet securing a tax-efficient outcome will inevitably be a key concern. The initial choice is whether to transfer: the business and its underlying assets (a business sale), or the shares in a subsidiary that holds the business and assets (a share sale) Broadly, sellers tend to prefer a share sale: it offers a straightforward exit and, where the substantial shareholdings exemption (SSE) applies, any gain is exempt from tax. An asset deal is more likely to crystallise tax charges and leaves any pre-completion tax liabilities with the seller. This Practice Note does not address individual sellers or business asset disposal relief (BADR). For more on BADR, see Practice Note: CGT—business asset disposal relief (formerly entrepreneurs' relief)...

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PRACTICE NOTES
Share disposals: UK tax grouping consequences, reliefs, degrouping charges and anti-avoidance across corporation tax, capital gains, loan relationships, derivatives, intangibles, stamp taxes/STC, SDLT/LBTT/LTT and VAT

FORTHCOMING CHANGE relating to the modernisation of stamp taxes on shares framework: In 2027, stamp duty and SDRT are set to give way to a unified, self-assessed levy on securities—the securities transfer charge (STC)—to be paid and reported through a new digital portal. In broad terms, the STC’s design will align with the proposals for that tax set out in the 2023 consultation. Finance Bill 2026 (FB 2026) creates a power, commencing on Royal Assent, for secondary legislation that will enable taxpayers to pilot the digital service by self-assessing their stamp taxes on securities obligations and submitting transactions electronically via the service. This will allow reporting and payment to be handled online as part of the modernisation of stamp taxes on shares. For detailed coverage of the modernisation of stamp taxes on securities, see: News Analyses: Budget 2025—Tax analysis—Stamp and transfer taxes Tax update spring 2025—Stamp taxes on shares modernisation Tax update spring 2025—Tax analysis—Stamp and transfer taxes TAMD 2023—Stamp taxes on...

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View the related Precedents about Fixed assets

PRECEDENTS
Deed of all-monies legal charge over freehold/leasehold property with assignment of insurance policies and receiver powers (England and Wales)

Definitions This Deed, between Lender and Borrower, defines key expressions used. Costs: all expenses on a full indemnity basis, including legal and professional fees. Event of Default: events in clauses 4.1.1–4.1.9. Financial Indebtedness: borrowing, bonds, finance leases, receivables financing, counter‑indemnities, and related guarantees. Insurance Policy: any current or future insurance benefiting the Borrower regarding the Real Property. Interest Rate: the stated annual rate or a closely comparable replacement if required. Legislation: UK laws and subordinate instruments, as amended, including approved codes of practice. Real Property: the assets in Schedule 1 together with buildings, fixtures and fixed plant. Receiver: any receiver (including a receiver and/or manager) appointed under this Deed or by law. Secured Obligations: all present and future liabilities to the Lender, including Costs and interest. Security Interest: any mortgage, charge, pledge, lien or similar arrangement conferring security. Security Period, VAT, Working Day: from today until full discharge; value added tax; any day except Saturday, Sunday...

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PRECEDENTS
All-assets debenture (England and Wales): single company chargor, bilateral—fixed and floating charges securing all monies, with real property mortgage, share charge, assignments and optional blocked account.

This Deed is dated [ insert date ] 20[ insert year ] Parties [ Insert name of Chargor ], a company registered in England and Wales (number [ insert company number ]) whose registered office is at [ insert address ] (the Chargor); and [ insert name of Lender ] of [ insert address ] (the Lender). Recitals The Lender makes facilities available to the Chargor under various finance arrangements. The availability of those facilities is conditional upon the Chargor entering into this Deed in favour of the Lender...

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PRECEDENTS
Joint election letter to HMRC under CTA 2009 s 792: reallocating intangible fixed assets degrouping charge to another group company

[ Letterhead ] [ Addressed to HMRC Officer ] [ Date ] We jointly make an election under section 792 of the Corporation Tax Act 2009 (CTA 2009) that [ the whole OR [ insert a specific amount, a percentage or a fraction ] ] of the chargeable realisation gain arising on the deemed realisation and reacquisition of the intangible assets is to be regarded as attributable to [ full company name ] (Company B) rather than [ full company name ] (Company A)...

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View the related Q&As about Fixed assets

Q&As
IR 2016 r 18.20: Liquidator fees—resubmit: creditors or court?

Remuneration principles Rule 18.16 of the Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 (IR 2016), SI 2016/1024, sets out the governing principles on remuneration. It confirms an office-holder’s entitlement to remuneration (IR 2016, SI 2016/1024, r 18.16(1)). Under IR 2016, SI 2016/1024, r 18.16(2), remuneration must be determined on one or more of the following bases: a percentage of the value of property or assets realised and/or distributed; time properly expended; or a fixed amount; or a combination of those bases. Where an office-holder proposes to take all or part of the remuneration on a basis described in IR 2016, SI 2016/1024, r 18.16(2), the office-holder must, before deciding which of those bases are to be fixed, deliver to creditors a fees’ estimate, together with details of the expenses the office-holder considers will be, or are likely to be, incurred (IR 2016, SI 2016/1024, r 18.16(4))...

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