Temporary Changes to Companies House Filing Requirements

A Companies House publication has been released explaining how filing requirements will change as a result of the UK government’s coronavirus (Covid-19) support measures.  The document has been produced to provide guidance on how the measures introduced by the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act and The Companies etc. (Filing Requirements) (Temporary Modifications) Regulations 2020 will affect filings.

The measures introduced by the regulations are intended to relieve the burden on businesses during the outbreak and allow them to focus all their efforts on continuing to operate.  They are available to read in full on the government website.

This guidance outlines how the measures will affect public companies, private companies, limited liability partnerships (LLPs), Societas Europaeas (SEs), overseas companies and European Economic Interest Groupings (EEIGs) (“relevant entities”) when those entities have to file documents or notices with Companies House.

Accounts

From 27 June 2020, more companies will get an extension to their accounts filing deadline. Companies that have not had an extension or shortened their accounting reference period will see their filing deadline extended if it falls any time from 27 June 2020 to 5 April 2021 (including these dates).

PLCs and SEs will have their filing deadlines extended from 6 to 9 months,  private companies and LLPs from 9 to 12 months, and overseas companies who are required to prepare and disclose accounts under parent law will see an extension of 3 to 6 months.

Confirmation statement

Companies and other types of business registered at Companies House will get more time to file their confirmation statement.

The current 14 day deadline (from the end of the review period) will be extended to 42 days. It will apply to:

• companies
• LLPs
• Scottish limited partnerships (SLPs)
• Scottish qualifying partnerships (SQPs)
• SEs

This extension is automatic – there is no need to apply for more time.

The extension applies to the time allowed to file your confirmation statement at the end of your review period (the period that your confirmation statement covers). However, it does not alter the review period, so the confirmation date on your confirmation statement should not be changed.

Event-driven filings

There will be more time to file details of certain company events. In particular, this includes any changes you’re required to file to update your company’s record before you file your confirmation statement.

The period allowed to deliver details of the event will increase to 42 days. A full breakdown of Events, with reference to the Companies Act 2006 can be found in the government guidance.

Mortgage charges

The period allowed to deliver the particulars of a charge to Companies House will increase by 10 days. Currently, a person with an interest in the charge has 21 days to deliver their documentation to Companies House.

For charges created on or after 6 June 2020, the period to deliver the particulars of a charge will automatically increase to 31 days. This 31 day-period will start the day after the date the charge was created.

This additional 10-day period will apply to charges for:

• companies
• LLPs
• SEs
• EEIGs

This additional 10-day period will also apply to the alteration of floating charges in Scotland.

Exceptions

It is worth noting that Public companies and SEs whose original filing deadline fell before 30 June 2020 received an extension to their accounts filing deadline under the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 and will receive no further extension under the regulations.

Should you require any assistance or advice regarding your companies Filing requirements, please do not hesitate to contact Briars at info@briarsgroup.com