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directors & secretaries guide
Directors and Secretaries Guide

The Company Secretary. Fact Sheet

Company Directors - Appointment

General Power of Attorney

The Company Authority

Responsibilities & Liabilities of Directors

Private Company - Board of Directors

The Company Directors. Fact Sheet

Company Chairman Guide

Company Secretary Guide

Company Records & Files

Limited Company Resolutions

Nominee Director Service

Nominee Shareholder or Trustee Service

Nominee Secretary Service

Registered Office Service

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We Accept
  
 Nominee Secretary Service for Public Records for one year:
 
 Nominee Secretaries do not usually have an active role or function in the actual business of the company.
 The Company Secretary can authenticate documents or proceedings of the company and the signature of the Secretary on a written resolution is evidence of the proceedings.
 
 Coddan will act as Nominee Company Secretary for limited companies on an annual basis.
 This service is primarily designed to help people keep non-trading companies fully compliant with the law.
 It does not perform any secretarial duties, and does not become involved with operations of the company in any way.
 If signatures or verification documents are required extra charges will apply.
 Preparation and submission of the Annual Returns (payable fee additional).
E-Quick Plan
£ 49.95Renewal fees from £49.95
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All our companies are general trading companies which include Certificate of Incorporation & Memorandum and Articles of Association.
Fast 6-8 hours incorporation service which enables you to appoint director & secretary details straight away. This procedure applies to all or packs with the payment of all government fees. This pack is sent directly to you by e-mail.
Our incorporation form allows you to add more services than a form ad!

THE FOLLOWING UPGRADES CAN BE ADDED TO THE ABOVE PACKAGE:

1. Company Pliers Seals - £20.00.
2. Domain name registration for 2 years with 12 months web hosting - £14.00.
3. Registered Office service for 12 months - £75.00.
4. Company Secretary service for 12 months - £75.00.
5. Certificate of Good Standing - £70.00.

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E-Mail Contact info@uk-company-formation-agents.co.uk

DEAR VISITORS, If you want to become familiar with the description and the contents of company formation packages, offered by Coddan and to find above, what kind of service is included in this or that companies creation package, to get an idea about the price of annual renewal of the service, and about the general legal requirements to the company incorporation within foreign countries, please, select the package you need from the list, situated below the banner. The information in the banner will be renewed according to the package you've chosen. The basic document package we provide will not differ significantly from that available at a major corporate law office.

Form a company online in minutes at lawyer-free prices. Coddan was developed by expert attorneys with experience at the most prestigious law firms in the country. We've helped over 50,000 satisfied customers, and our know-how allows us to prepare legal documents quickly and efficiently. Our documents contain advanced provisions that are not found in simple "do-it-yourself" kits or manuals. Coddan lets you take care of common legal procedures without ever leaving your home or office. We're open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our research area contains plenty of helpful guidance. Simply answer an easy-to-understand questionnaire, and Coddan takes care of the rest - no need to download, no need to print. You will receive the completed legal documents printed on quality acid-free paper.

Did you know that 70% of those who try to complete their own legal documents make mistakes? With Coddan, you can rest assured, knowing that your documents are treated with the utmost care and attention. Before you submit your order, Coddan will review the answers you provide on the questionnaire for consistency, completeness, spelling and grammar. Furthermore, our customer service specialists are available to answer your questions by phone or e-mail. Call us toll-free at (0) 800.081.1510 or (0) 870.080.2320.

With Coddan's lawyer-free service, you can save up to 100% off the rates an attorney would charge for the same procedure. In addition, our fees are "per project", not "per hour," so you will know exactly what the total price will be.

The information you provide to us is held in absolute privacy. We pledge NEVER to sell your name or personal information to any third party. In addition, we go the extra mile to make sure that our servers and connections incorporate the latest encryption and security devices.

We strive to be the best legal documentation service on the web. If you are not satisfied with our services for any reason, please contact us immediately and we will either correct the situation or provide a refund, your choice.

Please note » The prices payable for the items that you order are clearly set out in the web site. There will be no contract of any kind between you and us unless and until we receive payment from you. We act as your agent in the incorporation of companies and electronic filing of Companies House forms. We are not able to guarantee that any such filing will be acceptable to Companies House, nor are there any contractual obligation upon us to do so. If Companies House rejects incorporation or other electronic filing, we will credit your account with a full refund and the contract between us will be made void. Companies House does not offer a cancellation facility for the incorporation of companies or the electronic filing of documents. We will be unable to cancel any such submission on your behalf and will not refund any payment you have made. All prices shown at Coddan Web Site (www.uk-company-formation-agents.co.uk) are in Great British pounds.

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 absolutely free! There are no hidden fees. We offer the service as a courtesy to our website visitors.

UK Limited Company Formations. Incorporate a Limited Company in the UK. Online UK Private Company Formation Nominee Secretary Service - £75.00. Who is a Nominee Secretary?

Every company must have a company secretary (Companies Act 1985 section 283) who will perform a variety of tasks crucial to the smooth running of the company, which includes ensuring that the company's statutory obligations are complied with. Coddan will act as your company secretary or as a joint company secretary to ensure you are compliant with the Companies Act. As a rule, the corporate secretary does not have any involvement in the day to day operation of the business and does not become a signatory to any bank accounts.

Our professional company secretary services to your company. It includes: acting as corporate secretary of your company. Assisting and advising on establishment of new companies. Organizing and witnessing required meeting of directors and shareholders alongside preparation of minutes. Preparing and filing Annual Returns. Alternation of director or secretary. Transfer of shares. Changing company name. Changing of company registered address. Share allotment. Applying for deregistration of limited company.

We can help ensure that incorporations are effected with the correct corporate structure, both as to type of company (public or private, share capital or guarantee, etc.) and with appropriate provisions in the company's Memorandum and Articles of Association. Ongoing support and advice is then available on board and shareholder meetings, appointment and retirement of directors, share issues and transfers, and all other technical or procedural matters. Once the company is registered, we can provide a company secretary service to ensure that the company complies with its obligations for filing returns and maintaining an accurate register. The company secretary is one of the two officers that every company must have to fulfil the basic requirements of UK Company Law. Even if the director conducts day-to-day business entirely alone it is a requirement that another person takes on the role of secretary. Coddan performs this role for clients who do not have a suitable person willing to accept the role or for non-UK residents who require a signatory within the United Kingdom.

Coddan undertakes to countersign approved documents under the director's instructions. We will not become involved in the affairs of the company but will act as signatory to documents only as required. Coddan relies on the director providing correct, up-to-date information to maintain the Register of officers, addresses, beneficiaries, business classification and other matters affecting the constitution of the company. We will complete and file the Annual Return on behalf of the company if the contract is current at the due date.

The secretary is the chief administrator for the company. He or she normally takes charge of ensuring that any documents, which need to be sent to Companies House, are sent on time. The secretary can also be a director, and therefore have the same responsibilities as the other directors. If the secretary isn't a director, he or she is still is an officer of the company and is responsible for it's actions (with the exception of the companies accounts, which are the personal responsibility of the directors). The role of company secretary may most appropriately be the responsibility of an administrative director, finance director, chief accountant or the like. Only in larger quoted companies will the job of company secretary normally be the full extent of a full-time employee's duties.

Keeping up with Companies House requirements is now more complicated and time-consuming than ever for company directors. Our professional and experienced staffs can provide nominee company secretarial services to your company. In the case of smaller companies, it may be simpler to appoint an outside adviser such as a Coddan to act as your company secretary and deal with your statutory requirements. When you decide to perform the company secretarial function internally and appoint an employee or director as company secretary, rather than appointing an outside adviser or service company to fulfil the role, the job of company secretary will usually include management of administrative matters, including possibly the accounting function, and liaising with other external professional advisers.

Why have a nominee secretary? Situations often arise where clients wish to appoint an independent third party as their company secretary. The reasons for this vary but the following are typical examples: appointment of a professional organisation in the role of company secretary can ensure that the company has access to accurate and up to date information concerning matters of company law. An independent company secretary can provide advice and support for the directors and leave them free to concentrate on operating the business side of the company. Appearance to potential suppliers or customers and the public in general. "One man" companies can benefit from the service where the director does not wish to involve family members or friends.
UK Limited Company Formations. Incorporate a Limited Company in the UK. Online UK Private Company Formation IMPORTANT NOTE:

Coddan can provide a nominee company secretary for your private limited company or for your limited liability partnership. The nominee company secretary service is ideal for sole directors unable to find someone to take on this role. It means you can still operate a limited company as sole director and shareholder whilst benefiting from the excellent support of a professional company. Our annual fee includes the cost of processing the company's Annual Return each year. Our one off fee is all-inclusive for the 12-month period with no hidden charges.

If you wish to keep your name off the Public Records, so that it is easy to discern that you are involved with a company, then this is the service for you. The nominee will sign all corporate documents, except those that are not lawful or that bring personal liability to the nominee. There is a yearly charge for the nominee service. By appointing our corporate nominee director you can remain anonymous from your company, as no personal details will be recorded at Companies House. This service has been designed to allow our clients to retain their privacy for legitimate reasons in a world where your personal information can easily be obtained by anyone that knows where to look. This service is not to be used for any illegal purposes. If you are seeking anonymity for illegal reasons, please go somewhere else to incorporate.

You will still control the company as an authorised representative (by General Power of Attorney) but it will not be possible to search Companies House records to identify you. This General Power of Attorney gives the Attorney authority to take decisions and actions on behalf of the company. These include buying or selling property or shares, signing cheques etc. This General Power of Attorney allows the Attorney to open, operate and close any bank or building society account in the company's name, and a Power of Attorney that allows the Attorney to sign cheques on behalf of the company.

Nominee Secretary. Description of Service

Annual Cost

Nominee Secretary for 12 months to include -
  • Arranging appointment of our nominee. Coddan will act as your company secretary or as a joint company secretary to ensure you are compliant with the Companies Act
  • Assessment of company's filing status at time of appointment to ensure everything is in order at Companies House
  • Filing the Company's Annual Return for no additional charge
  • Business advice throughout the year when possible
  • No hidden charges!
£75.00

Nominee Director. Description of Service

Annual Cost

Nominee Director for 12 months to include -
  • Agreement for the provision of nominee Service and Indemnification of Nominees
  • Pre-signed undated Resignation Letter
  • General Power of Attorney
  • Beneficial Owner Declaration (this document will need to be signed and returned to us)
  • Indemnity Letter for General Power of Attorney (this document will need to be signed and returned to us)
  • Indemnity Letter to the Nominees (this document will need to be signed and returned to us)
  • Who is a Nominee Director?
  • A nominee director is someone who in fact is renting his or her name to you. Our nominee director service is used to ensure the highest degree of privacy and confidentiality
£125.00

Nominee Shareholder. Description of Service

Annual Cost

Nominee Shareholder for 12 months to include -
  • Arranging appointment of our nominee. Coddan will act as your company shareholder
  • Upon taking on the duties of Nominee Shareholder, we would hold your shares on trust in the form of a Nominee Shareholders Agreement
  • Agreement would serve the purpose of ensuring that your identity as Beneficial Owner(s) is only known to us and not put on public record at the Company's Registry
  • An original Share Transfer Form signed by us, but undated, will be issued to you, so that you can have the security of being able to transfer the shares at any time
£100.00
UK Limited Company Formations. Incorporate a Limited Company in the UK. Online UK Private Company Formation How to Be a Company Secretary?

1. Section 283(1) of the Act says every company must have a secretary. Section 283(2) states that a sole director cannot also be the secretary.
2. The company secretary of a private limited company needs no formal qualifications.
3. The company secretary usually undertakes the following duties: Maintaining the statutory registers.
4. Ensuring that statutory forms are filed promptly.
5. Providing members and auditors with notice of meetings.
6. Sending the Registrar copies of resolutions and agreements.
7. Supplying a copy of the accounts to every member of the company, every debenture holder and every person who is entitled to receive notice of general meetings - also copies demanded by anyone under section 239 of the Act.
8. Keeping, or arranging for the keeping, of minutes of directors' meetings and general meetings.
9. Ensuring that people entitled to do so, can inspect company records.
10. Custody and use of the company seal.
The directors of public and private limited companies are legally required to appoint a company secretary. The company secretary acts as the company's chief administrative officer and is responsible for a broad range of corporate governance duties answerable to Companies House. The position must not be taken lightly for obvious reasons; any default by the company can lead to civil charges being brought against the directors and the company secretary. Equally, any breach of trust or duty by the company secretary can be severely penalised by Companies House - particularly in relation to the company's assets where the penalties can be very severe indeed. Companies House is especially strict concerning the timing of filing of company accounts and will impose standard fines automatically if deadlines are not met. Don't let these penalties deter you though; if you abide by the rules set out very clearly by Companies House, with the correct attitude you should have little cause for concern.

List of standard duties: administration of personnel matters; employment legislation compliance; accounting & finance duties. Insurance & intellectual property rights (patents, trade marks etc.). Obviously duties will vary from company to company but the secretary will always have ostensible authority to bind the company in contracts relating to the company's administration just like a director.
UK Limited Company Formations. Incorporate a Limited Company in the UK. Online UK Private Company Formation Breakdown of Roles and Responsibilities

Compliance With Internal Regulations And Legislation: Checking that the company complies with: Memorandum & Articles of Association and that these are up to date. The Companies Act 1985 companies & other legislation.

Maintenance Of Records: Keeping the company's statutory books and records, including registers of: mortgages & charges, directors and secretary, director's interests (copies of director's service contracts & disposable incomes), members, debenture holders.

Administration Of Board & General Meetings: Procedural compliance & administration in: preparing and sending out notices taking minutes and keeping the minute books.

Filing Forms etc. At Companies House: This must be done in the time limits given. Of particular importance is the filing of company accounts and returns, together with notices of changes to registers, etc.

Collation Of Duties And Compliance With Legislation: Ensuring that the company's accounting records are: maintained in accordance with company legislation; prepared in time; in the form required by company law & accounting standards; copies of accounts are distributed to the appropriate persons within the correct time constraints.

Shareholder Communications: Issuing: circulars, dividends, documentation concerning shares generally (e.g. share transfers), and notices of meetings.

Access To Records: Ensuring that eligible persons can review company records & that the company is compliant with the Data Protection Act.

Legal Advice: Advising directors on their legal responsibilities and updating them on developments in the law concerning the running of companies.

Share Administration: Managing and supervising: the register of members; share transfer matters generally; requests for information from shareholders; issue of share and debenture certificates; the notice of allotments and restructuring to Companies House; employee share schemes/options.

Information Link: Maintaining communication links between: directors and non-executive directors, shareholders and the board, employees and the board, media/press and the company.

Running The Registered Office: Administering the registered office: dealing with correspondence, receipt and care of official documents, making documents required by law available for inspection by third parties.

Security Of Documentation: Managing the security of: company seal, Certificate of Incorporation, certificate(s) on change of name, Memorandum & Articles of Association, director's service contracts, share certificates and stock transfer forms and other documents of title.

Inevitably, the nature of the role assumed by an individual acting as the company secretary and the extent to which the directors can safely delegate day-to-day compliance will depend on that person's experience, aptitude, time and commitment.

Above and beyond assisting the directors in keeping the company in line with company law, it is commonly an increasingly important aspect of the company secretarial role in a responsible company to manage the company's and the directors' compliance with the law and corporate ethics generally. You should consider conducting an audit of those areas of the company's business where compliance with law is a requirement, whether arising out of the company's activities, its products or services e.g. financial services, health and safety at work, environmental, employment, tax and VAT legislation as well as those other areas of the law of specific application to your industry sector.

Monitoring compliance should be allocated to a specific person or persons, commonly the company secretary. The person(s) appointed should develop a reliable monitoring system to ensure dates are met, registrations completed and information disseminated as appropriate. The company secretary has no authority, as a matter of internal company practice, to act independently of the directors without their specific approval and his authority to represent the company or incur liabilities on its behalf is also limited.
UK Limited Company Formations. Incorporate a Limited Company in the UK. Online UK Private Company Formation Ensuring that Statutory Forms are Filed Promptly

You cannot simply send a letter to notify the Registrar that you wish to change the situation of the company's registered office or that changes have occurred among directors or secretaries or their particulars. You should normally use forms 287 and 288a, b or c as appropriate. You may also use the annual return Form 363s in some circumstances if the return is due at the convenient time. Changes of directors' and secretaries' details must be notified within 14 days. There are many other forms that need to be delivered to the Registrar.

Providing members and auditors with notice of meetings. You must give them 21 days written notice of an annual general meeting. You must give them 14 days written notice of a meeting, which is neither an annual general meeting nor a meeting to pass a special resolution. If you are the secretary of an unlimited company, the written notice required is 7 days.

Sending the Registrar copies of resolutions and agreements. You must send him copies of every resolution or agreement to which section 380 applies, for example special and extraordinary resolutions, within 15 days of them being passed.

Supplying a copy of the accounts to every member of the company, every debenture holder and every person who is entitled to receive notice of general meetings - also copies demanded by anyone under section 239 of the Act. You must send accounts at least 21 days before a meeting at which they are to be laid - see section 238 of the Act.
UK Limited Company Formations. Incorporate a Limited Company in the UK. Online UK Private Company Formation Keeping, or Arranging for the Keeping, of Minutes of Directors' Meetings and General Meetings

Ensuring that people entitled to do so, can inspect company records. For example, members of the company and members of the public are entitled to a copy of the company's register of members, and members of the company are entitled to inspect the minutes of its general meetings and to have copies of these minutes.

Custody and use of the company seal. Companies no longer need to have a company seal but if they do, the secretary is usually responsible for its custody and use. As the secretary is an officer of the company under section 744 of the Act, they may be criminally liable for defaults committed by the company. For example failure to file - in the time allowed - any change in the details of the company's directors and secretary, and the company's annual return. The secretary may also have to make out a statement of the company's affairs if an administrative receiver or a provisional liquidator is appointed, or if a winding-up order is made. (Sections 47 (Section 66 for Scotland) and 131 of the Insolvency Act 1986.)

Failure to carry out some of duties can result in the company being charged a considerable amount of money or even in the directors being prosecuted. To help you avoid this we provide a company secretarial service to ensure that these important statutory requirements are fulfilled, leaving the day-to-day running of the company to the directors. As your company secretary, we will prepare other documents in respect of changes to the company structure as and when they occur. Such matters will include allotment of shares, transfer of shares and appointments and resignations of officers.

You will be relieved of these administrative and compliance burdens, giving you more time to concentrate on the business of managing your company. Keep us informed of any changes and we will do the rest. If you do so, our service will ensure you avoid the consequences of non-compliance i.e. penalties, prosecution or your company being struck off the register. We will ensure your company is in the best possible administrative shape should you want to sell, obtain credit or attract investors.

Do you only have one person involved in your company? Coddan can act as your company secretary and you need not involve anyone else in the company as this satisfies the legal requirement of for two company officers. There is a legal requirement to have the registers available for public and/or shareholders inspection. We provide a service to keep the registers at our offices and by arrangement will keep them updated to meet all the legal requirements. The address where the registers are kept is recorded at Companies House.


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