Section 793 notice (under the CA 2006) meaning

A section 793 notice is a statutory information request used by UK public companies to find out who really owns or controls their shares. Under the Companies Act 2006, section 793, any public company (listed or unlisted) may require any person it reasonably suspects to be, or within the previous three years to have been, interested in its shares to confirm or deny that interest, provide particulars of the nature and extent of the interest, and supply related information about other persons interested or likely to have knowledge (for example, nominees, custodians or concert parties). In practice, companies use section 793 notices to verify the register of members, trace beneficial ownership, investigate stake‑building, respond to activism, and prepare for or monitor takeover situations. For listed and AIM companies, section 793 operates alongside the FCA’s Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules (DTR 5) on major shareholding notifications and Rule 8 of the UK Takeover Code. Non‑compliance without reasonable excuse can constitute a criminal offence and, where permitted by statute or the company’s articles, may lead to voting and transfer restrictions. Usage and effect are consistent across England & Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. In Ireland, similar powers exist under the Companies Act 2014 for...