This is our most popular package with UK residents, and includes:
The registration of your company from scratch using your own registered office address, and appoint your own candidates to the roles of director, secretary (if needed), and shareholder;
The standard capital on formation is £1,000, this is divided into 1,000 ordinary shares valued at £1.00 each (it is not required to have all of the shares issued, but a minimum of one share must be issued);
The formation of a limited company usually takes as little as four to six hours from the time that your application and payment are received by Coddan;
The government fee for incorporation is included in the price of this package;
The following documents, which need to be printed and signed, will be emailed to you upon formation of your company:
A certificate of incorporation (requires PDF file reader);
The memorandum & articles of association (requires MS-Word file reader);
The first meeting of the board of directors (requires MS-Word file reader);
Share certificates and a company register.
Economy Package
Annual Maintenance Fee £50.00
£ 82.00
This is our most popular package with EU residents, and includes:
The registration your company from scratch using one of our registered office addresses, and appoint your own candidates to the roles of director, secretary (if needed), and shareholder;
The standard capital on formation is £1,000, this is divided into 1,000 ordinary shares valued at £1.00 each (it is not required to have all of the shares issued, but a minimum of one share must be issued);
The formation of a limited company usually takes as little as four to six hours from the time that your application and payment are received by Coddan;
The government fee for incorporation is included in the price of this package;
The provision of a registered office address for 12 months is also included in the price of this package (our registered office address service is charged annually);
The following documents, which need to be printed and signed, will be emailed to you upon formation of your company:
A certificate of incorporation (requires PDF file reader);
The memorandum & articles of association (requires MS-Word file reader);
The first meeting of the board of directors (requires MS-Word file reader);
Share certificates and a company register.
Premier Package
Annual Maintenance Fee £99.95
£ 131.95
This is another one very popular package for small and medium size businesses, such as those being run by a sole director from home, and for companies owned by overseas residents who still need a local registered office address but would rather not open local offices;
This package is often chosen by such customers, who are looking to minimise a sole director personal liability (and who are not quite familiar with the new UK corporate legislation), because this package includes a provision of a nominee secretary for 12 months. This package is also includes:
The registration your company from scratch using one of our registered office addresses, and appoint your own candidates to the roles of director, and shareholder;
The standard capital on formation is £1,000, this is divided into 1,000 ordinary shares valued at £1.00 each (it is not required to have all of the shares issued, but a minimum of one share must be issued);
The formation of a limited company usually takes as little as four to six hours from the time that your application and payment are received by Coddan;
The government fee for incorporation is included in the price of this package;
The provision of a registered office address for 12 months is included in the price of this package (our registered office address service is charged annually);
The provision of a nominee secretary for 12 months is also included in the price of this package (our nominee secretary service is charged annually);
The following hard bound copy of corporate documents, will be posted to you upon formation of your company:
A laminated copy of the certificate of incorporation of your company;
A hard bound copy of the memorandum and articles of association;
A hard bound copy of the minutes of the first meeting of directors;
Share certificates, and your company register.
Deluxe Package
Annual Maintenance Fee £379.95
£ 256.95
The Deluxe business start-up package is our most popular package with international customers, and includes:
Incorporation of your company from scratch using one of our registered office addresses, our nominee director and nominee secretary, we will appoint your own candidate(s) to the role of shareholder;
The standard capital on formation is £1,000, this is divided into 1,000 ordinary shares valued at £1.00 each (it is not required to have all of the shares issued, but a minimum of one share must be issued);
The formation of a limited company usually takes as little as four to six hours from the time that your application and payment are received by Coddan;
The government fee for incorporation is included in the price of this package;
The provision of a registered office address for 12 months is included in the price of this package (our registered office address service is charged annually);
The provision of a nominee secretary for 12 months is included in the price of this package (our nominee secretary service is charged annually);
The provision of a nominee director for 12 months is also included in the price of this package (our nominee director service is charged annually);
The following two hard bound copies of corporate documents, will be posted to you upon formation of your company:
A laminated copy of the certificate of incorporation of your company;
A hard bound copy of the memorandum and articles of association;
A hard bound copy of the minutes of the first meeting of directors;
Share certificates, and your company register;
The general power of attorney signed by a nominee director;
Pre-signed, undated resignation letter from a nominee director;
The agreement for the provision of nominee service and indemnification of nominee.
Name Protection
Annual Maintenance Fee £60.00
£ 22.00
This package allows you to register a company name with Companies House and thus prevent this name being used to form a company by anyone else, and includes:
The registration of a non-trading limited company with your choice of name;
The government fee for incorporation is included in the price of this package;
As are the first year's fees for a registered office address, a nominee shareholder, and a nominee director.
Management of the company: Coddan will file the annual return and dormant company accounts on your behalf for an annual fee of £60.00.
If you do not wish to renew the management option at the end of term, the company will be dissolved. If you allow your registration to expire, or do not notify Coddan of your intention to renew your protection period, you will no longer have exclusive rights to this company name.
Business Start-Up: Legal Requirements
A private company limited by shares in England and Wales must have at least one director, one shareholder, and may have a secretary.
You need at least one person to form this type of company. If there is only one director, and that director is a natural person in your company, that director can also act as the secretary.
A company must have at least one director who is a natural person. This requirement is met if the office of director is held by a natural person as a corporation sole or otherwise by virtue of an office.
You can register a sole director' company, if you are familiar with the secretaries duties and responsibilities, because all of them belongs to a sole director.
The directors and secretary of your company can also be shareholders.
The Companies Act imposes no restriction on the minimum age of company directors. However Companies House will actively discourage the appointment of anyone under the age of 16 from taking up a company directorship on the grounds that the individuals concerned may not fully understand the legal liabilities that go with the position and for the most part will not have the experience necessary to perform the duties of a company director.
Under the Companies Act 2006, there is no restriction on any or all of the members/shareholders being from an overseas country (i.e. outside the United Kingdom in terms of residency, domicile, citizenship, place of incorporation or all or any of those concepts).
There is no requirement for the officers of your company to be UK citizens or residents, nor for them to hold valid work permits.
Owning, or being an officer of a UK company does not, however, grant you any right to live or work in the UK if you are a foreign national.
Your company must have a registered office address within England or Wales; this is the official address of your company and will be on the public record as such.
Your company must hold its official company documents at its registered office address: its register of shareholders, and its constitutional documents.
So long as you maintain a registered office address in England or Wales, you can conduct your business from any place in the world: you do not have to run your business from your registered office address.
Other packages:
Simple One Star Company Formation Package
No Annual Charges
£19.99
This package has been created just for UK-residents over the age of 18 years old.
This is the simpliest and fastest process with full electronic documentation to get you started and bank account with Barclays or HSBC.
We will register your limited company from scratch using your own registered office address, and appoint your own candidates to the roles of director, secretary (if needed), and a shareholder. Upon formation, these details will be recorded as the original details of your private company. The government and filing fees are included in the cost of our packages.
It will take just couple of minutes to complete the online incorporation form, then your business entity could be up and running within four-six working hours.
The following documents will be sent directly to you via e-mail immediately following the formation of your limited company:
An electronic certificate of incorporation (requires PDF file reader);
Electronic memorandum & articles of association (requires MS Word file reader);
This package includes a free fast-track business banking account with HSBC or Barclays.
Simple Two Stars Company Formation Package
No Annual Charges
£48.00
This package has been created just for UK-residents over the age of 18 years old.
We will incorporate your company from scratch using your own registered office address, and appoint your own candidates to the roles of director, secretary (if needed), and shareholder. Upon formation, these details will be recorded as the original details of your company. The government and filing fees are included in the cost of our packages.
The following documents will be sent directly to you via e-mail immediately following the formation of your company:
An electronic certificate of incorporation (requires PDF file reader);
An electronic memorandum & articles of association (requires MS Word file reader);
The first meeting of the board of directors (requires MS Word file reader);
The share certificates, and a company register (requires MS Word file reader).
The following documents will be posted to you upon formation of your company:
Printed certificate of incorporation;
The share certificate printed on a special blank;
Two printed hard bound copy of the memorandum and articles of association.
This package includes a free fast-track business bank account with HSBC or Barclays.
All corporate docments will be sent by 1st class post on the next day of a company formation.
Simple Three Stars Company Formation Package
No Annual Charges
£78.00
This package has been created just for UK-residents over the age of 18 years old.
We will incorporate your company from scratch using your own registered office address, and appoint your own candidates to the roles of director, secretary (if needed), and shareholder. Upon formation, these details will be recorded as the original details of your company. The government and filing fees are included in the cost of our packages.
The following documents will be sent directly to you via e-mail immediately following the formation of your company:
An electronic certificate of incorporation (requires PDF file reader);
An electronic memorandum & articles of association (requires MS Word file reader);
The first meeting of the board of directors (requires MS Word file reader);
The share certificate, and a company register.
The following documents will be posted to you upon formation of your company:
Two printed certificate of incorporation;
The share certificate printed on a special blank;
Two printed hard bound copy of the memorandum and articles of association.
The first meeting of the board of directors;
This package includes a free fast-track business bank account with HSBC or Barclays.
All corporate docments will be sent by 1st class post on the next day of a company formation.
Simple Four Stars Company Formation Package
No Annual Charges
£93.99
This package has been created just for UK-residents over the age of 18 years old.
We will incorporate your company from scratch using your own registered office address, and appoint your own candidates to the roles of director, secretary (if needed), and shareholder. Upon formation, these details will be recorded as the original details of your company. The government and filing fees are included in the cost of our packages.
The following documents will be sent directly to you via e-mail immediately following the formation of your company:
An electronic certificate of incorporation (requires PDF file reader);
An electronic memorandum & articles of association (requires MS Word file reader);
The first meeting of the board of directors (requires MS Word file reader);
The share certificate, and a company register.
The following documents will be posted to you upon formation of your company:
Two printed ad laminated certificate of incorporation;
The share certificate printed on a special blank;
Two printed hard bound copy of the memorandum and articles of association.
The first meeting of the board of directors;
A rubber stamp with the details of your company;
This package includes a free fast-track business bank account with HSBC or Barclays.
All corporate docments and a rubber stamp will be sent by 1st class post on the next day of a company formation.
Other packages:
DEAR VISITORS, If you want to become familiar with the description and the contents of UK company incorporation packages, offered by Coddan and to find above, what kind of service is included in this or that English companies registration package, to get an idea about the price of annual renewal of the service, and about the general legal requirements to the company incorporation within foreign countries, please, select the package you need from the list, situated below the banner. The information in the banner will be renewed according to the package you've chosen.
Please note » The prices payable for the items that you order are clearly set out in the web site. There will be no contract of any kind between you and us unless and until we receive payment from you. We act as your agent in the incorporation of companies and electronic filing of Companies House forms. We are not able to guarantee that any such filing will be acceptable to Companies House, nor are there any contractual obligation upon us to do so. If Companies House rejects incorporation or other electronic filing, we will credit your account with a full refund and the contract between us will be made void. Companies House does not offer a cancellation facility for the incorporation of companies or the electronic filing of documents. We will be unable to cancel any such submission on your behalf and will not refund any payment you have made. All prices shown at Coddan Web Site (www.coddan.co.uk) are in Great British pounds.
Live Help » Live Help is a real time "chat" feature which enables you to interact with a customer service representative without a phone call. Get answers to your questions while using our website. Clicking the "Live Help" button will start an on-line session with one of our representatives. Live Help is currently available during normal business hours. Outside of the above opening hours our business center will be closed. When you click on the button you will see an e-mail form that will allow you to send us a mail with your questions. Live Help is absolutely free! There are no hidden fees. We offer the service as a courtesy to our website visitors.
Shareholders Agreement. Some Uses of Shareholders' Agreements:
In a United Kingdom limited liability company it is possible that, in order to obtain some degree of protection of control, the members would wish to bind themselves either to preserve the status quo or to stipulate that should one or more member(s) wish to withdraw from the company, that the other members should have the right to purchase or find purchasers for the shares (i.e. a right of pre-emption of first refusal on the shares), rather than them being sold to an outsider. This particularly important where the voting strength is heavily unbalanced.
Here are some uses of shareholders' agreements: to give to a shareholder rights which would otherwise be unenforceable if inserted in the company's Articles - e.g. personal rights (as opposed to rights as a member), such as a right to be appointed as a professional adviser to the company. To regulate the special relationships between shareholders which have nothing to do with the administration of the company - e.g. if one or more shareholders are investing in the company. To protect minority shareholders' rights - e.g. by giving them a power of veto which they would not otherwise enjoy under Company Law. To preserve confidentiality.
Shareholders' agreements, properly structured and funded, are a critical part of any business with more than one shareholder. A well-thought-out agreement provides an orderly way to transfer shares in the business and helps keep the business running smoothly in the face of future events such as death, disability or retirement of a shareholder. These agreements generally establish a purchaser for the shares of the deceased or existing shareholder, a formula for determining the purchase price of the shares, and a method for funding the purchase. A venture capitalist who does not acquire control with his purchase of company stock will usually require a shareholders' agreement as a condition of funding. Management that sells a controlling interest in its company's common stock normally insists upon a shareholders' agreement to ensure its continued ability to run the company.
Shareholders' agreements can take a variety of forms and can serve a variety of purposes. They are usually in writing and signed by persons who together own at least a majority of the outstanding shares of the company's voting stock. Shareholders' agreements enable a minority shareholder to exercise more control over a company that he would have otherwise. (By voting his minority interest in the company's shares, he would have no control). A venture capitalist, for example, will almost always insist that management agree to vote its shares so that he will be ensured a seat on the company's board of directors. Sometimes an investor will ask for other types of control as well, such as the right to veto certain important financial decisions made by the directors.
Shareholders' agreements often contain other provisions affecting management and its relationship with its investors. These provisions commonly contain limitations on the manager's ability to sell his shares to outsiders and provide for the disposition of his shares in the event of his death or termination of employment. Shareholders' agreements are also commonly used for estate planning purposes. Management should consider shareholders' agreements carefully. They should have a limited term and, in most cases, should terminate in the event of a public offering of the company's stock or sale of the company.
Contrast with the Articles of Association:
The Articles of Association of a company are the rules governing its internal management and administration. The Articles are governed by Company Law and are binding on all the members of the company. A shareholders' agreement is an agreement between the members of a private limited company which is governed by the normal law of contract. Some matters covered in a shareholders' agreement may equally be incorporated in the Articles of Association - pre-emption rights, for example. However, bearing in mind that the Articles of Association are open to public inspection, it may be more appropriate in some circumstances to deal with matters in a shareholders' agreement for reasons of confidentiality.
Care must be taken in drafting to ensure that the true effect of the provision of a shareholders' agreement is not to alter or amend the Articles of Association. A shareholders' agreement which does so must be registered at Companies House in the same way as a resolution to amend or alter the Articles, thus forfeiting the advantage of confidentiality.
It is common for the company itself to be a party to a shareholders' agreement both to ensure that it is bound by obligations which might otherwise have appeared in the Articles of Association and to oblige the directors indirectly to give effect to the obligations in it.
Some Advantages of Shareholders' Agreements:
Here are some uses of shareholders' agreements: confidentiality - provided a shareholders' agreement is drawn carefully so as not to alter or amend the Articles of Association there is NO NEED to file it at Companies House. Can be altered by simple agreement rather than using the formalities of meetings required by companies' legislation. Can be terminated by simple agreement.
Some Drawbacks:
There may be complications when a member who is signatory to a shareholders' agreement transfers shares: the new member MUST agree to be bound by the shareholders' agreement and the old member released from it - this can be easily overlooked. Shareholders' agreements can become unwieldy if the number of shareholders increases substantially.
Matters Commonly Included in Shareholders' Agreements:
Provisions covering initial funding and further financing of the company. Warranties and indemnities from existing shareholders to a new shareholder/investor. The appointment of auditors and bankers. Provisions governing the application of funds invested - perhaps by reference to an agreed business plan. Provisions governing any personal guarantees given by a shareholder to third parties dealing with the company. Dividend policies. Rights of first refusal in the event of a shareholder wishing to transfer his or her shares (pre-emption rights). Compulsory transfer or option arrangements. Covenants not to compete with the company nor to solicit its customers, suppliers, officers or employees. Undertakings of confidentiality. Provisions for protection of minority shareholders (e.g. rights of veto). Mechanisms for dealing with deadlock (for a 50/50 joint venture company).
This is not an exhaustive list. Shareholders' agreements range from the extremely simple to the extremely complicated, covering situations such as participation by shareholders in partnership or joint venture companies and investment by venture capitalists. Most venture capitalists will have their own preferred forms of shareholders' agreement and Articles of Association depending on the terms and structure of their investment.
Shareholders Agreement - From £ 35.00:
A shareholders agreement sets out the relationship of the parties to the agreement, their share of the company, how the business will be run and what happens if difficulties arise.
The document outlines the structure of the company, how it will be financed, who is on the board, what you can and cannot do with shares, what happens to the profits, protection of minority shareholders, what happens to the company if there is stalemate, how the venture can be terminated and what the business and shareholders are allowed to do.
Our Shareholders Agreement can be used where two or more parties wish to carry on business together as a limited company and wish to regulate the relationship between shareholders and determine actions in the event of deadlock. It is suitable for a group of shareholders working together who wish to arrange for particular management decisions (relating to the structure of the company) to be taken unanimously and allows each shareholder to appoint one director. You can insert the names and details of the parties involved, and the wizard will format the document accordingly.
General Advantages Of Limited Liability Companies:
1. Liability is, in the vast majority of cases, strictly limited to the investments made by the shareholders.
2. Company Officers are not personally liable for their actions unless, in most instances, there is a clear and serious breach of their fiduciary duty.
3. Ironically, despite the limited liability, such entities often benefit from 'greater prestige' than their sole proprietorship or partnership counterparts. The reason is probably because such an enterprise normally requires more planning and thus is deemed more credible.
4. They often benefit from significant tax advantages. In fact, many countries around the world give exclusive tax incentives to this type of entity.
5. The rights of shareholders are normally clearly defined and protected. Promotes good record keeping.
6. Corporate taxes only become payable after the end of the financial year. This means that money that would otherwise be taxed on a monthly or quarterly basis is available to earn further money before the final payment of tax.
7. You must appoint a minimum of 1 Director.
8. Directors can be corporate bodies or private individuals.
9. A Director can be of any nationality.
10. All companies must appoint a company Secretary. A Secretary can be of any nationality.
The registration of your company from scratch using your own registered office address, and appoint your own candidates to the roles of director, secretary (if needed), and shareholder;
Helpful Resources
