Understanding The Process Of Reinstating A Company

By Carl Kelly


There are many instances in which a company can get struck off from the companies register. To begin with, it could be done on a voluntary basis, in which the directors no longer need it and make an application to close it off. They will be required to file all necessary documents. Also, it might be that the company has failed to file annual accounts as is required and within the right time. You can also have a business being struck off because it has been liquidated. In considering reinstating a company, there are various things to consider.

After a firm gets stuck off, any of the assets which it owns are passed to the crown. The only way that one can retrieve such assets is when they make an application to the courts to have the business restored. Such companies will also cease to exist as legal entities. That will mean it cannot trade, sue or be sued, enter into contracts or own assets.

There are various other reasons why one might want to have their company restored. For instance, it could be that the business had title to some asset, for instance money in the bank or some physical property. Such property might be important and thus should be recovered, which will need the business to get restored. Reinstatement could also be required when one is a third party with unresolved claims against dissolution of the company and hence must take action in order to get compensated.

Depending on how the business was struck off, there are two ways of having it reinstated. The two methods are court order restoration and administrative reinstating. Both of the processes are varied as regards the cost, time and complexity. Also, certain processes can only be used in specific circumstances. For instance, in the event that a business was struck off voluntarily, the only way to have it restored is through a court process.

You will need to hire an attorney to oversee the entire procedure. That is more so for court proceedings which are sensitive and complex. It is a procedure that will require that you coordinate with the government legal department and the registrar of companies. In certain instances, creditors, accountants and tax advisers will also have to be hired.

The process will also involve drafting of legal documentation like witness statements and claim forms. Because of the strict nature of reinstating companies, you need an attorney to prepare all the needed documents and have them issued to the correct parties within the required time. That ensures that you do not have to be worried about whether you have done the right thing.

The fees that is charged will depend on the procedure that is used. Most attorneys charged a flat fee, but you can also find other structures. When looking for a suitable attorney, you need to know what the charges will be.

It is also important to understand the aspect of disbursements. It is the fee that is charged by a third party. It includes government legal fees as well as court fees. These fees are collected from third parties and then paid off, on behalf of a client.




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