Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Related legal acts

Key definition

Company definition

What does Company mean? In legal practice, company describes an incorporated association formed to carry on business or another lawful purpose. Across England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland this ordinarily means a body corporate formed and registered under the Companies Act 2006; in Ireland, under the Companies Act 2014. A company has separate legal personality (Salomon v A Salomon & Co Ltd), can own assets, enter contracts, sue and be sued, and typically provides limited liability for its members. Common forms are the private company limited by shares (Ltd), the public limited company (plc), the company limited by guarantee and the unlimited company....

UK Business Law Guide: Company Formation, Branches, Employment, Immigration, Tax, Competition, Financial Services and Data Protection (2025–2026)

Published by a LexisNexis Commercial expert

Practice notes

Updated in December 2025

Introduction

The UK has long been a preferred destination for global companies setting up their first foothold in Europe. It sustains robust trading relationships with most nations worldwide—situated within Europe, yet well placed between US and Asian time zones. While geographically European, the UK is no longer part of the European Union, and organisations planning UK operations should recognise the growing legal and regulatory divergence from EU Member States.

The UK contains three distinct jurisdictions: England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. In many respects, the same or closely aligned laws apply across these jurisdictions. Nevertheless, there are notable distinctions, particularly regarding local government regulation, property transfers, and judicial frameworks. This guide concentrates on the jurisdiction of England and Wales. Further local guidance will be required if you intend to operate in Scotland or Northern Ireland. There are multiple options for structuring an operation in the UK...

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

Web page updated on 22/05/2026

Popular documents

Using the Judicial College Guidelines to assess general damages in personal injury claims

When evaluating a general damages claim, the practitioner ought initially to refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG)...

Tomlin orders in England and Wales: CPR guidance on drafting, confidentiality, approval, variation, enforcement, limitation, CCA issues, court-specific requirements, sample wording and precedents

This Practice Note This Practice Note reviews mechanisms used in settling litigation. A Tomlin order consists of a consent order paired with a schedule. It operates to stay proceedings on terms that have been agreed. The provisions contained in the schedule may remain confidential. This Practice Note describes the scope of confidentiality attaching to the schedule and sets out how it differs from a standard consent order. Sample wording for a Tomlin order is included, alongside links to precedents, as well as guidance on court approval. It also addresses varying, setting aside and enforcing a Tomlin order, including the considerations the court will take into account when handling applications for each. Further guidance is provided on interpreting and applying the relevant provisions of the CPR; however, some courts and divisions impose very specific requirements for both drafting and approval, and for approaching the schedule and confidentiality issues. Accordingly, you must consider the particular rules and court guide provisions in the forum where your claim is proceeding when drawing up the Tomlin order...

Precedent: Deed of Surrender of Lease with Optional Premium, Settlement and Release, Landlord, Mortgagee and Guarantor Consents, Reimbursement and HM Land Registry Provisions (England and Wales)

Date [ date ] Parties [ name of Landlord ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Landlord) [ name of Tenant ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Tenant) [ [ name of Guarantor ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Guarantor) ] [ [ name of Mortgagee ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Mortgagee) ] Definitions Within this Deed, the terms below shall be interpreted as follows: [ Annual Rent • the annual sum reserved under the Lease; ] [ Insurance Rent • the Tenant’s share of the Landlord’s costs of insuring the Property (as set out in the Lease); ] Lease • the lease of the Property dated [ date ], entered into between (1) [ the Landlord OR [ name ...

Precedent Statutory Declaration: Standard Wording under the Statutory Declarations Act 1835

I, [ name ], of [ address ], solemnly and sincerely state that: [ Matters to be verified, set out in numbered paragraphs ] I make this solemn statement in good conscience, believing it to be true, and pursuant to the provisions of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835. DECLARED at [ details ] this [ day ] day of [ month and year ] Before me ................................................................................ [ signature of the person before whom the declaration is made ] A [ commissioner for oaths OR [ solicitor OR [ insert other qualification ] ] authorised to administer oaths ]...