Get Your Business Back and Restored By Xact+ Accountants
There are two primary methods to restore a dissolved company:
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Administrative Restoration: Applicable if the company was struck off by the Registrar of Companies within the last six years and was trading at the time of dissolution. This process is initiated by a former director or shareholder without the need for a court order.
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Court Restoration: Required if the company doesn’t meet the criteria for administrative restoration, such as voluntary dissolution by directors. This process involves applying to the court to have the company reinstated.
Upon restoration, the company is deemed to have continued in existence as if it had not been dissolved or struck off. This means it can resume business activities, recover assets, and is subject to all obligations as before dissolution. It’s essential to update company records, inform relevant authorities, and ensure compliance with any outstanding regulatory requirements.
Company restoration is the legal process of reinstating a company that has been dissolved or struck off the Companies House register. Once restored, the company is treated as if it had never been dissolved, allowing it to resume operations, reclaim assets, or address outstanding legal matters.
To apply for administrative restoration:
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Eligibility: Ensure you were a director or shareholder at the time of dissolution, the company was dissolved by the Registrar within the last six years, and it was trading at the time of dissolution.
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Application: Submit Form RT01 to Companies House, along with a £468 restoration fee.
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Compliance: Provide any outstanding documents, such as annual accounts or confirmation statements, and settle any penalties or fees owed.
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Consent: If the company had assets at the time of dissolution, obtain a waiver letter from the relevant Crown representative (Bona Vacantia division).
Once Companies House processes the application and confirms compliance, the company will be restored to the register.
Common reasons for restoring a company include recovering assets that became bona vacantia (ownerless property) upon dissolution, resolving outstanding legal issues, resuming business operations, or correcting an unintended dissolution due to administrative oversights, such as failing to file necessary documents.
The duration varies depending on the method:
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Administrative Restoration: Typically takes around 3 to 4 weeks, provided all necessary documents are submitted promptly.
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Court Restoration: Can take between 8 to 12 weeks, depending on court schedules and the complexity of the case.