UK Limited Company Set-up and Business Incorporation
UK Limited company set-up involves the incorporation of a business. A UK company is separate from both the people who run it (directors and secretary) and the people who own it (shareholders).
The Companies Act defines a limited company as a "separate legal entity" and as such is very different from a sole trader or a partnership where the business and its and owners are seen from a legal standpoint, as one and the same "person".
There are two kinds of UK Company: Limited liability and unlimited companies. Within the former category, there are companies limited by shares, by guarantee and PLC.
UK Company Set-up and Regulation
The set-up and running of UK incorporated businesses generally involves greater administration due to the regulated nature of these organisations through provisions contained within the Companies Act. This is seen by some people setting up a new business as a significant disadvantage of UK limited companies.
Others believe that the lack of regulation inherent in the alternative unincorporated businesses provide little guidance for individuals starting up for the first time. They would say that the company set-up option, although more burdensome than say a sole trader business, has a defined structure, annual calendar and therefore is preferred.
