Companies House

Where does UK Data obtain company information?

UK company information is sourced from Companies House, The Registry Trust and the London Gazette. Irish company information is sourced from Companies Registration Office. UK Data Ltd bases the Credit Reports on this public information.

What is Companies House?

Companies House is an executive agency of the UK Government. All limited companies are registered with Companies House and file specific statutory details as required by the Companies Act 1985. The UK has had a system of company registration since 1844. All limited companies including subsidiary, small, and inactive companies, must file annual financial statements which are public records.

England and Wales
The registered office in Cardiff handles companies incorporated in England and Wales. These companies are subject to English law.

Scotland
The Edinburgh office handles companies incorporated in Scotland and are subject to Scots law.

Northern Ireland
All limited companies in Northern Ireland are registered with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment and are subject to Northern Ireland law.

What is the Companies Registry Office?

The Companies Registration Office is the central repository of public statutory information on Irish companies and business names. The CRO operates under the aegis of the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment. All limited companies including subsidiary, small, and inactive companies, must file annual financial statements which are public records.

What is the Registry Trust?

The Registry Trust operates the Registry of judgements, Orders and Fines for England and Wales on behalf of the Department for Constitutional Affairs. This includes County Court Judgements.

Registry Trust website: http://www.trustonline.org.uk/

What is the London Gazette?

This is an official British Government publication in which certain statutory notices are required to be published. In addition to containing information such as official Government announcements, it also lists details of bankruptcy proceedings, dissolutions of partnerships, winding-up orders against companies, notices under Section 652 of the Companies’ Act, Voluntary liquidations, etc.