Do not ignore a public notice because the company is still trading. The legal register and the day-to-day business can move out of sync.
Find out why the company is in default
Recent Registry strike-off exercises have included companies that failed to file required annual returns or other documents.
Review the company’s filing history, annual returns, beneficial ownership and outstanding notices.
Read the specific public notice
Strike-off processes can be initiated under different provisions and at different stages. Confirm whether the company is listed for intended removal or has already been removed.
Save the publication date and company identifier.
Bring the company records together
Collect certificates, prior annual returns, beneficial-ownership filings, director and secretary records and the registered-office information.
That makes it easier to identify which filings or changes are missing.
Get the right advice for the stage you are in
A company that is merely late is in a different position from one already removed from the register. Restoration or court/legal steps may apply depending on the circumstances.
Use an attorney or other qualified adviser when the legal status or restoration route requires it.
Prevent the same problem after the company is regularized
Create a compliance calendar around the incorporation anniversary and all change-filing deadlines.
Assign responsibility for annual returns, beneficial ownership and post-incorporation notices instead of leaving them until a bank or tender asks for current records.
Questions people ask
Can late annual returns contribute to strike-off risk?
Yes. The Registry has published removal exercises involving companies in default for failure to file annual returns.
Is intended removal the same as already being struck off?
No. Check the specific publication and stage of the process.
What should I do first?
Review the company’s status and missing filings, then obtain the professional help appropriate to the stage of the case.
References
Current official pages related to this guide.