When setting up a UK company, the first part of the process usually involves selecting and registering a name.
In order for Companies House to accept the suggested name, it must be unique and not similar to one which exists already.
In situations where an exact match or a similar one is currently being used, the entire company registration application would be rejected and the customer would be required to choose another name.
Company Name Searches
In order to avoid the problem of an incorporation application being rejectied, it is useful to carry out a company name search.
Name searches are linked to the Companies House database and will reveal whether the selection is available to be regsitered or is already used by another business.
The definitive company name search is known as Web Check and is provided by Companies House.
It should be borne in mind that even though a search on a particular company name might produce positive results, the company formation may still be unsuccessful on the grounds that the name is deemed to be too similar to an existing one.
Limited at the end of a Company Name
The general rule is that all UK companies must have the word “limited” at the end of their name. It is possible to use the abbreviation “LTD” instead or where a Welsh company formation is proposed, the words cyfyngedig or cyf can be used.
Section 30 of the Companies Act permits the omission of the word limited in certain circumstances. Where a company limited by guarantee is incorporated, it is possible to have it registered just with the intended name and without the suffix attached.
