The records a company must keep.
WHAT REGISTERS ARE TYPICALLY REQUIRED
Register of members, showing shareholders and their holdings Register of directors Register of secretaries Register of charges over company assets Register of directors' interests and shareholdings Register of persons with significant control, where applicable
WHY THEY MATTER
They are the company's official record of who owns and controls it.
WHAT THE REGISTER OF MEMBERS ESTABLISHES
Legal ownership of shares.
WHY THAT IS CRITICAL
Ownership disputes turn on it, and it is frequently not maintained.
WHAT TO RECORD FOR EACH MEMBER
Name and address Number and class of shares Date they became a member Date they ceased, where applicable Amount paid
WHAT TO UPDATE
Every transfer, allotment and change, promptly.
WHY PROMPTLY
Reconstructing years of changes later is difficult and disputed.
WHAT TO RECORD FOR DIRECTORS
Name, address, occupation, nationality Date of appointment and resignation Other directorships, where required
WHAT A REGISTER OF CHARGES RECORDS
Security granted over company assets.
WHY IT MATTERS
Unregistered charges may be void against other creditors.
WHERE REGISTERS ARE KEPT
At the registered office, or a permitted alternative location.
WHO MAY INSPECT THEM
Members, and others as provided.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
Who maintains them, and that it actually happens.
WHY
Neglected registers are a standard finding in any transaction.
