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Unlimited company meaning

What does Unlimited company mean?
In practice, an unlimited company is a registered company whose members (for example, shareholders) have unlimited liability for the company’s debts, so they may have to contribute without limit—usually on a winding up—if the company cannot meet its obligations. The concept is statutory: under the Companies Act 2006 (UK) a company that is neither limited by shares nor by guarantee is an unlimited company; in Ireland, the Companies Act 2014 provides comparable types, including the private unlimited company (ULC) and public unlimited company forms. Key features include separate legal personality in all UK and Irish jurisdictions: creditors generally claim against the company, but on insolvency members’ exposure is uncapped (UK: Insolvency Act 1986, s.74). In the UK an unlimited company must be a private company; in Ireland both private and public variants exist. Usage across England & Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland is broadly consistent. Unlimited companies are sometimes chosen for administrative flexibility and, in some cases, lighter public filing of accounts at Companies House or the CRO, subject to statutory conditions and growing exceptions. The principal disadvantage is members’ unlimited personal liability, which remains the key risk of this structure.
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View the related Checklists about Unlimited company

CHECKLISTS
PSC register entries: registrable and non-registrable persons and entities—UK Companies Act 2006 checklist

Individuals or entities that may be entered onto a PSC register: registrable individuals holding significant control registrable relevant legal entities subject to their own disclosure requirements: all UK companies limited by shares or by guarantee (including community interest companies (CICs)) and dormant companies UK unlimited companies UK limited liability partnerships (LLPs) unregistered companies subject to the Unregistered Companies Regulations 2009 (including some Royal Chartered bodies, such as City of London Livery Companies, Guilds and other societies and professional bodies) UK Societas...

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CHECKLISTS
UK PSC regime compliance checklist for companies, LLPs and eligible Scottish partnerships under Companies Act 2006 (as amended by ECCTA 2023): identifying PSCs/RLEs, notifying Companies House, enforcement and protection

This note provides a checklist of the principal questions to ask, and the actions to take, to meet the requirements of Part 21A of the Companies Act 2006 (CA 2006) covering people with significant control (the PSC regime). It focuses on keeping a register of PSCs and other registrable relevant legal entities (RLEs) (the PSC register)... The requirement to report PSC information The PSC regime covers UK incorporated companies limited by shares or guarantee (including community interest companies), limited liability partnerships (LLPs), unlimited companies, unregistered companies and UK Societas. Owing to the Scottish Partnerships (Register of People with Significant Control) Regulations 2017, SI 2017/694, it also applies to eligible Scottish partnerships (Scottish limited partnerships and Scottish qualifying general partnerships). These bodies must update their own registers within 14 days and amend the central record at Companies House within a further 14 days; eligible Scottish partnerships are not required to keep a PSC register but must deliver PSC details to Companies House within 14 days. For more detail, see...

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CHECKLISTS
Re-registering an unlimited company as a private limited company (shares or guarantee): step-by-step UK Companies Act 2006 checklist and Companies House forms

This checklist provides a concise guide to the actions required and the documents to assemble for an unlimited company to re-register as a private limited company under Part 7 of the Companies Act 2006 (CA 2006). Preliminary considerations Step Notes/Resources Tick box when step complete or matter considered Are the company and its directors fully informed of the additional restrictions and obligations that apply to private limited companies when compared with unlimited companies? If not, ensure they understand: the need to file accounts; members’ status will shift from unlimited liability to liability limited to the amount paid for their shares (or to the amount set out in the statement of guarantee, if the company is to be limited by guarantee); the company will be subject to share capital maintenance rules that did not previously apply to it as an unlimited company. Re-registration of an unlimited company as limited CA 2006, s 448 CA 2006, ss...

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NEWS
Irish High Court imposes five-year director restrictions for failing to prioritise separate company interests; key lessons on group structures, documentation, record-keeping and managing multiple directorships

In Downtul Ltd [In Liquidation] v Companies Act [2025] IEHC 358, the Irish High Court imposed restrictions for a period of five years on two directors, after determining that they did not act prudently or have proper regard to the interests of Downtul Limited (the Company) as a distinct entity within a complex corporate arrangement. The decision underlines the intricate nature of directors’ obligations in group scenarios and the need to prioritise the interests of each separate company. As a result of the restriction order, the two individuals—each currently sitting on the boards of more than 100 Irish companies—are barred from acting as company directors for five years unless the relevant company has a nominal share capital of at least €100,000 (or €500,000 where the entity is a public limited company or an unlimited company). Background The individuals were directors of the Company, which leased a commercial premises later occupied and run as a Starbucks café by another company, Atercin. They also served as directors of Atercin...

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NEWS
UK competition law update (3 October 2024): CMA IEO on Topps Tiles/CTD assets; SAU to report DESNZ ICC schemes and Cromarty Firth subsidy; CAT stays Allergan hydrocortisone damages claim

Mergers The CMA imposed an IEO regarding Topps Tiles Plc’s completed acquisition of certain assets from Tildist Realisations Limited (formerly CTD Tiles Limited)—see case page. NOTE—For all current CMA merger cases, see UK mergers—ongoing cases tracker. Subsidy control The Subsidy Advice Unit accepted a referral from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on proposed Industrial Carbon Capture and Waste ICC business model schemes—see case page. The Subsidy Advice Unit accepted a referral from the same department on a proposed subsidy for Cromarty Firth Port Authority—see case page. NOTE—For all referrals under the Subsidy Control Act 2022, see UK subsidy control—cases tracker. Private actions On 2 October 2024, the CAT issued an order in The Scottish Ministers and The Scottish Health Boards v Accord‑UK Limited (formerly Actavis UK Limited) & Others, a damages claim against Allergan Unlimited Company stemming from the CMA’s July 2021 infringement decision on 10mg and 20mg immediate‑release...

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NEWS
EU competition law daily round-up: FSR phase II on ADNOC/Covestro; merger clearances and deadline extension; MAN Trucks State aid investigation; CJEU and General Court updates (28 July 2025)

Foreign Subsidies Regulation ADNOC/Covestro referred to phase II under the FSR Under Regulation 2022/2560 on foreign subsidies distorting the internal market (the Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR)), the Commission has referred to Phase II its in-depth review of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company’s (ADNOC) proposed acquisition of Covestro (FS.100156). ADNOC is Abu Dhabi’s State‑owned national oil company. Covestro, formerly Bayer MaterialScience, is a German chemical producer and manufacturer focused on high‑performance polymers and components for such polymers. At phase I, the Commission expressed concerns that ADNOC and Covestro may have received foreign subsidies distorting the EU internal market, including: (i) an unlimited guarantee from the United Arab Emirates; and (ii) a committed capital injection by ADNOC into Covestro...

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View the related Practice Notes about Unlimited company

PRACTICE NOTES
UK PSC regime after ECCTA 2023: abolition of company PSC registers and new Companies House filing and updating duties

A well-maintained register of people with significant control (PSC) should make publicly available who ultimately owns and controls companies and other entities. The PSC framework applies to UK-incorporated companies limited by shares or by guarantee (including unlimited companies, unregistered companies, community interest companies and dormant companies), limited liability partnerships (LLPs), and eligible Scottish partnerships, namely Scottish limited partnerships and Scottish qualifying general partnerships (ESPs). For clarity, this guide chiefly refers to companies. For information on the regime’s scope, including how a company might most effectively obtain relevant beneficial ownership details, see Practice Note: PSC register—the people with significant control regime. Corporate transparency reform—changes to the PSC regime The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA 2023) received Royal Assent on 26 October 2023 and is being introduced in phases across multiple commencement dates. Many provisions will only commence once detailed secondary legislation and guidance are in place, while others require the rollout of new technical processes and tools before they can operate. ...

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PRACTICE NOTES
UK Company Incorporation under the Companies Act 2006: formation, naming, PSCs, officers, articles, share capital, filings, public/guarantee requirements and initial post-incorporation steps

This Practice Note looks at the principal considerations and steps when establishing a company limited by shares or by guarantee. What is a company? A company is a business vehicle that exists as a separate legal entity, distinct from its members. It is owned by its members and run by its directors. It is governed by the Companies Act 2006 (CA 2006). Companies are widely used; more than 5 million are on the UK public register maintained by Companies House. Under the CA 2006, the following company types are available: Public or private companies limited by shares — see Practice Notes: Private companies limited by shares and Public companies limited by shares Private companies limited by guarantee (primarily used by charities and other not-for-profit organisations — see Practice Note: Companies limited by guarantee) Unlimited companies (comparatively uncommon — see Practice Note: Unlimited companies) For details on other business vehicles, see Practice Note: Forms of business vehicle — fundamentals....

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PRACTICE NOTES
Converting to an LLP: pensions implications, TUPE, section 75 debts, scheme transfers, consultation and life assurance for transfers from partnerships or companies

A Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) An LLP is a statutory business vehicle created under the Limited Liability Partnership Act 2000 (LLPA 2000). From 6 April 2001, LLPs have been capable of being formed in England and Wales. Notable features of an LLP are: It is a corporate body and separate legal entity, with a legal personality independent of its members. It has unrestricted capacity. Its members benefit from limited liability, whereas partners in a general partnership have unlimited liability (although, for tax purposes, an LLP is treated as a general partnership). Members may determine their own arrangements, via an LLP members’ agreement, including: obligations to contribute to the LLP allocation of management responsibilities profit distribution mechanisms the appointment and removal of LLP members members’ duties to provide for their retirements An LLP is also distinct from a limited partnership constituted under the Limited Partnership Act 1907....

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View the related Precedents about Unlimited company

PRECEDENTS
Board minutes approving re-registration of an unlimited company as a private limited company under the Companies Act 2006 (RR06 application; special resolution; articles and name changes)

Company number: [ insert number ] [ insert company name ] Minutes of a meeting of the board of directors (the Meeting) of [ insert full name of company ] (the Company) Held at: [ insert place of meeting ] Held on: [ insert day, month and year of meeting ] at [ insert time of meeting ] [ am OR pm ] Present: [ Insert names of the director(s) physically present ] [ Insert names of any directors present by telephone as permitted by the Company’s articles of association ] (by telephone) [ Insert names of any directors present by other means permitted by the Company’s articles of association ] (by [ insert other means ]) In attendance: [ Insert name of anyone in attendance who does not count towards the quorum for the Meeting (eg the company secretary, any legal advisers) ] Apologies: [ Insert names...

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PRECEDENTS
Precedent board minutes approving re-registration of a private limited company as an unlimited company, including unanimous member assent and RR05 filing (Companies Act 2006, UK)

Company number: [ insert number ] [ insert company name ] Limited Record of a meeting of the board of directors (the Meeting) of [ insert full name of company ] (the Company) Duly Convened at [ insert place of meeting ] On [ insert day, month and year of meeting ] at [ insert time of meeting ] [ am OR pm ] Attending: [ Insert names of the director(s) physically present ] [ [ Insert names of any directors joining by telephone as allowed by the Company’s articles of association ] (by telephone) ] [ [ Insert names of any directors joining by other means allowed by the Company’s articles of association ] (by [ insert other means ] ] Also in attendance: [ [ Insert name of any person attending who does not count towards the quorum for the Meeting (eg the company secretary, any legal advisers) ] ] Apologies received: [ [...

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PRECEDENTS
Board minutes template: PLC to private unlimited re-registration (Companies Act 2006): unanimous member assent, articles/name changes, RR07 application

Company number: [ insert number ] Minutes of a meeting of the board of directors (the Meeting) of [ insert full name of company ] (the Company) Held at [ insert place of meeting ] on [ insert day, month and year of meeting ] at [ insert time of meeting ] [ am OR pm ]. Present [ Insert names of the director(s) physically present ] [ Insert names of any directors present by telephone as permitted by the Company’s articles of association ] (by telephone) [ Insert names of any directors present by other means permitted by the Company’s articles of association ] (by [ insert other means ]) In attendance [ Insert names of anyone in attendance, who does not count towards the quorum for the Meeting (eg the company secretary, any legal advisers) (if any) ] Apologies [ Insert names of any directors who are unable...

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View the related UK Parliament Acts about Unlimited company

UK PARLIAMENT ACTS
3 Limited and unlimited companies

(1)     A company is a “limited company” if the liability of its members is limited by its constitution.It may be limited by shares or limited by guarantee.(2)     If their liability is limited to the amount, if any, unpaid on the shares held by them, the company is “limited by shares”.(3)     If their liability is limited to such amount as the members undertake to contribute to the assets of the company in the event of its being wound up, the company is “limited by guarantee”.(4)     If there is no limit on the liability