Guidance Note – Voluntary Strike Off & Dissolution

PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THE ECONOMIC CRIME & CORPORATE TRANSPARENCY ACT 2023 IS BEING IMPLEMENTED IN PHASES AND MAY CHANGE THIS TEMPLATE. 

This guidance note provides a broad overview of the key points of the regime for directors and secretaries of SME private companies considering the process of voluntarily striking their company off the register.

As there are inherent costs and burdens in keeping a company on the register, it is often worth considering whether the company should remain on the register at Companies House.

What does this guidance note cover?

• The reasons why a company may be dissolved.
• The alternatives to dissolution.
• The process of dissolution.
• Withdrawing a dissolution application.
• Restoration to the register.
• Third party objections to a dissolution.

What this guidance note does not cover

The guidance does not deal with the tax implications or tax considerations associated with a strike off application and dissolution.

Important legal point

It is a serious offence to apply to strike off a company when a company is ineligible or to provide false or misleading information during the strike off process.

ECCTA 2023 updates reflected in this guidance

This guidance has been updated considering the Economic Crime & Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA). The ECCTA has expanded the circumstances available to Companies House to strike a company off.

• As of 18th March 2025, Companies House may expedite the striking off of a company where the registrar has concluded that the company was formed on a false basis.
• The ECCTA also enables the registrar to strike a company off if it does not maintain an appropriate registered office address.

Government guidance and independent advice

These notes are designed to complement rather than replace the Government’s guidance, which is freely available on GOV.UK.

Companies with complex structures may need to consider seeking independent legal advice.

Guidance Note – Voluntary Strike Off & Dissolution is part of Corporate. Just £38.50 + VAT provides unlimited downloads from Corporate for 1 year.