Compliance Foundation

As a Companies House-registered ACSP, Coddan can provide permitted identity-verification and filing support within the applicable service scope. Identity requirements, Companies House filings and the ECCTA framework can be considered as part of the company's wider compliance position.

Privacy & Governance

Address and record arrangements can be considered from the outset where appropriate. Depending on the circumstances, this may include a professional registered office, a SAIL arrangement using Forms AD02 and AD03, or an appropriate residential-address suppression route such as SR01 where the statutory requirements are met.

Continuing Administration

After incorporation, the company may require confirmation statements, PSC updates, director changes, board and statutory-record support or other company-secretarial assistance. Coddan can provide relevant services as those requirements arise.

ACSP Identity Verification & Filing Support

Coddan's ACSP status supports permitted identity-verification and Companies House filing activities within the applicable service scope. Required information, verification and statutory decisions remain subject to the relevant Companies House requirements and processes.

Prepare the CLG

Establish the proposed name, jurisdiction, registered office, constitution, directors, members or guarantors, guarantees, activities and applicable PSCs.

Complete Applicable Identity Verification

Proposed individual directors must complete the applicable Companies House identity-verification process, and use the resulting Personal Code in the incorporation filing.

Submit the Incorporation Application

Coddan can prepare and submit the incorporation application electronically. Companies House independently reviews the application and decides whether to register the CLG.

Ready to Start Your CLG Formation?

If you already know that you need a CLG, you can move directly to the formation packages. If you still need to establish the appropriate structure or understand the identity-verification requirements, continue with the guided route above.

Know You Need a CLG? Start With the Right Formation Route.

Choose the level of formation support that makes sense for your organisation today.

You do not need to purchase every possible service at incorporation. If your requirements change later, additional services can be considered when they become relevant.

Your organisation may have a charitable, community, membership, social, educational or other defined purpose. Understanding how that purpose should be reflected in the proposed company structure and objects may be important before incorporation.

Some CLGs are established for particular membership, community, property-management or other organisational purposes. Where the proposed structure has specific characteristics, consider those requirements before selecting the formation route.

International applicants can establish UK companies, but overseas circumstances may affect identity verification, information requirements, company addresses or the practical arrangements needed for incorporation.

The proposed directors, guarantors, membership arrangements and governance model form part of the company's foundations. If these arrangements are unusual or require particular consideration, address them before proceeding with incorporation.

You do not need to identify a specialist category before asking for help. Explain what you are trying to establish, who the organisation is for and any particular circumstances you already know about.

If you have a clear purpose, straightforward governance arrangements and no particular formation issue requiring specialist consideration, you can proceed directly to the four formation packages.

You do not need to arrive knowing every Companies House term or formation procedure. Start with the organisation you are establishing, its purpose and objectives, and the information you already have available.

Coddan can help you understand the practical formation requirements relevant to your circumstances, including the information and documentation needed to establish the company. You can then choose the formation package that provides the level of support you require.

You Know What You Want to Establish.
We Help With the Formation Process.

Start with your organisation

Your organisation's purpose and objectives provide the starting point for the formation process.

Understand what is required

We help you understand the practical information, documentation and formation steps relevant to establishing the CLG.

Choose the appropriate support

Once you understand what is involved, choose the formation package that matches your present requirements.

You provide the information about what you are trying to establish, including the proposed company name, purpose, directors, guarantors or members and other formation details relevant to your circumstances.

The information provided is considered against the proposed formation route so that the appropriate company details, incorporation requirements and practical arrangements can be addressed before submission.

Where relevant, we consider matters such as international applicants, proposed governance arrangements, identity verification, registered office requirements or other circumstances that may affect how the formation should be handled.

The relevant formation information and documentation are prepared within the agreed scope and checked before submission. Where your circumstances require more detailed consideration, additional guidance can be considered before incorporation.

Where incorporation filing is included in the selected package, Coddan submits the relevant formation application and information to Companies House .

Coddan manages the agreed filing process and, where included within the selected service, can assist with relevant Companies House queries or requests for further information concerning the application.

Once the company is incorporated, the relevant incorporation documents and information are provided within the agreed service. The company can then move from formation into its operational and ongoing compliance stage.

Formation is the beginning of the company's lifecycle, not the end of the process. Once incorporated, you can address any additional requirements that apply to your organisation as it begins operating.

Normal formation timeframe

A complete and straightforward CLG formation will normally be processed within 24–48 hours, subject to the information supplied and Companies House processing.

More particular formations

A formation may take longer where additional information, clarification, identity-verification steps, company structure or other considerations need to be addressed before submission.

Companies House processing

Coddan can prepare and submit the formation application promptly, but the final incorporation time depends on Companies House processing and the circumstances of the application.

Your formation information is checked before submission.

Coddan carries out a professional human check of the formation information and forms before submission. The purpose is to identify omissions, inconsistencies or obvious issues that may need attention, and to ensure that the information supplied is suitable for the proposed CLG.

Multiple directors and guarantors

Your formation does not have to be limited to a single director or guarantor. The formation process can accommodate the relevant appointments where the information required for each person is provided.

You can provide your company objects

If you have your own company objects, you can provide them during the formation process. Where appropriate, Coddan can add the supplied objects to the standard Articles used for the CLG formation.

Guidance through identity requirements

Coddan can provide guidance on applicable director and PSC identity-verification requirements, help identify the relevant PSC position for the CLG and assist with Companies House Personal Codes where applicable.

Support can continue after submission

If Companies House raises a question or concern about the formation application, Coddan can assist with the relevant communication and next steps within the scope of the formation service.

Fast does not have to mean rushed.

The value of prompt formation is not simply receiving a certificate quickly. It is being able to move forward efficiently while still giving the formation information, identity requirements and filing process the attention they require.

Focus on establishing the right CLG.

You do not need to work out every Companies House step alone before placing your order. Provide the information about the company you are trying to establish, and Coddan can help with the relevant formation checks and procedural requirements.

Serving clients in the UK since 2005

Coddan has been serving clients in the UK since 2005, developing practical experience in company formation, corporate administration and company support. That experience provides a broader context for the formation decisions involved in establishing a new company.

Companies Limited by Guarantee registered

Our formation experience includes more than 180,000 Companies Limited by Guarantee (CLG) registered through our formation services. This gives Coddan direct experience with the company structure you are considering.

Clients continuing their relationship with Coddan

Approximately 35,000 clients continue to work with Coddan beyond their initial formation. For organisations that later require additional company support, this can provide continuity without making continuing services a requirement of formation.

Long-term client relationships

Some clients have remained with Coddan for more than ten years, using different services as their organisations develop. This reflects the possibility of obtaining further support later without requiring you to purchase services you do not need at formation.

A dedicated formation pathway

Coddan's CLG formation pathway is designed around the practical stages involved in establishing a Company Limited by Guarantee. Where your circumstances require more than straightforward incorporation, you can consider a more appropriate formation route or seek further professional guidance.

Formation in the wider context

Establishing a Company Limited by Guarantee involves more than completing an incorporation form. The proposed purpose, directors, members or guarantors, company objects, governance arrangements and address requirements all form part of the initial picture. Coddan's wider company experience helps place those decisions in context.

Establish the company

Choose the formation route that matches your organisation, proposed Company Limited by Guarantee structure and present requirements.

Deal with changes when they happen

Changes involving directors, guarantors, company details or other statutory information may create further administrative or Companies House requirements. These can be addressed when the relevant change occurs.

Keep the company properly administered

During its life, a Company Limited by Guarantee may have continuing requirements involving statutory records, filings, company information or other practical matters. The requirements will depend on the company's circumstances.

Address a particular requirement

A Company Limited by Guarantee may later require particular consideration because of its purpose, governance, property arrangements or another specific organisational circumstance.

Something has gone wrong?

A missed requirement, Companies House issue or other administrative difficulty may require a different route from ordinary company administration. Start with what has happened before deciding what action is appropriate.

When the company is no longer required

If the Company Limited by Guarantee eventually reaches the point where it is no longer required, an appropriate closure or dissolution route can be considered at that time.

Your CLG Is Still Active

If the company remains on the Companies House register, your requirement may concern a change, filing, statutory administration, compliance, governance or another matter arising during the company's continuing life.

Your CLG Has Been Struck Off or Dissolved

If Companies House has struck off and dissolved the company, restoration may provide a route back to the company's previous legal status. The appropriate route depends on the company's circumstances.

Your CLG Has a Particular Requirement

Property, assets, historical matters, unusual governance arrangements or another specialist circumstance may require a more tailored approach than a routine company service.

An existing CLG requires a lifecycle response — not a new formation package.

If the company already exists, the appropriate service depends on its current status and the outcome you want to achieve. Restoration, ongoing company support and specialist assistance are different routes and should be considered separately.

Your company is already incorporated

If you need help managing an existing CLG, the relevant support may concern company administration, statutory filings, governance, changes to company details or another ongoing requirement.

Your CLG has already been dissolved

Restoration is a separate lifecycle route from forming a new CLG. If a company has been struck off or dissolved, its circumstances should be considered before deciding what to do next.

Start with the situation, not the service name

If you arrived looking for help with an existing company but are unsure which route applies, explain what you are trying to establish, change or resolve. Coddan can help you identify the appropriate next step.

Something about the company changes

Changes to directors, members, company details or other statutory information may create additional filing or administrative requirements during the company's life.

An ongoing requirement needs attention

A CLG continues to have statutory and administrative responsibilities after incorporation. If you need professional assistance with a particular ongoing requirement, that support can be considered when it becomes relevant.

Your organisation develops or changes

Changes to the organisation's activities, membership, officers or governance arrangements may create requirements that are separate from the original incorporation.

A more specific requirement emerges

Your CLG may later require support relating to a particular purpose, structure, governance matter or stage of its lifecycle. The appropriate route can be considered when that need arises.

You do not have to arrange everything at incorporation.

If your immediate objective is to establish the CLG, focus on getting the formation and incorporation requirements right. Other services may become relevant later, but they do not need to be added simply because they might be useful in the future. You can arrange further support when the company's actual circumstances require it.

Your company details may change

Directors, members, registered details and other company information may need to be updated as the CLG develops. Where a statutory filing or administrative action is required, it can be dealt with when the change occurs.

Your organisation may need further support

As the organisation operates, it may need continuing statutory administration, governance or compliance support. These requirements are separate from the initial incorporation decision and can be considered as they arise.

Your CLG may develop particular needs

A CLG may later require support connected with its purpose, membership structure, property arrangements or other particular circumstances. The appropriate specialist route can be considered when that requirement actually arises.

The company may eventually reach its final stage

If the CLG eventually fulfils its purpose and is no longer required, an appropriate closure route may need to be considered. If a company has already been dissolved, restoration is a separate specialist matter.

You do not need to plan the whole company lifecycle today.

Your immediate decision is to establish the CLG correctly and choose the formation support that matches your present requirements. Other company matters can be addressed later as the organisation develops. You can use Coddan for those requirements when you need them, or work with another professional where appropriate.

Establish the company around your organisation.

If the people involved in your proposed CLG are based in the UK, you may be able to proceed directly once the company's purpose, directors, members or guarantors and other formation details have been established. The important step is making sure the structure and information are correct before incorporation.

Establish your UK CLG with the right information.

Overseas applicants may need to consider additional practical matters, including identity verification, Companies House requirements and information relating to the people involved in the company. The requirements that apply can be considered as part of the wider formation process.

Your formation information is reviewed by a person.

Coddan carries out a professional human check of the formation information and forms before submission. If an issue or question arises during the filing process, our support can help you understand what needs to be addressed rather than leaving you to work out the problem alone.

Being overseas does not automatically make formation complicated.

Some international formations require additional attention; others do not. The sensible approach is to establish what you are creating, identify the people and company arrangements involved, and then deal with the requirements that actually apply. You do not need to solve every possible issue before beginning your formation.

Tell us what you are trying to establish.

If you already know that a CLG is the appropriate structure, you can proceed to the formation packages. If your circumstances are more particular, explain what you are trying to establish and ask Coddan about the appropriate route before ordering.

Speak to Coddan

If your question is easier to explain by talking it through, you can contact Coddan by telephone before deciding which formation route to take.

Please contact us during our published telephone opening hours.

Send Us Your Question

Explain what you are trying to establish, what you are unsure about, or what you would like to understand before forming the company. Include relevant information or documents if they help explain your circumstances.

Apply for a Consultation

If your proposed CLG has particular requirements relating to its purpose, governance, membership, property or international circumstances, you can discuss the proposed structure before deciding how to proceed.