REGISTERING AS A COMPANY

I offer a specialist consultancy service to the not-for-profit, charitable and social enterprise sectors in England , Scotland and Wales. This involves designing a tailor-made company for each client group and taking them through the process of getting this company properly registered with the minimum of work and hassle. The service includes:

.  researching and drafting unique articles of association (in plain English), with notes;
.  preparation of forms and instructions necessary for registration;
.  managing the submission of documents to Companies House;
.  advice and guidance throughout.

All types of company can be catered for: limited by guarantee, limited by shares, public limited companies.

I can design company structures that are suitable for charities, community organisations, co-operatives, community businesses, trading subsidiaries, social firms, development trusts, and so on.

Details of standard packages appear further down this page. Use the "Contact" button to make an initial approach. If you're not sure just what sort of company you want, I'll help you decide. All initial enquiries are of course confidential and free of charge.

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REGISTERING AS A CHARITY

At present, an organisation cannot be "just" a registered charity: it must first structure itself as an association, a trust, or a company limited by guarantee. This organisation, once established in the normal way, applies to be entered on to the Central Register of Charities (or the Scottish Charity Register), which effectively confers charitable status.

I can take an organisation right through this process, which will commonly involve:

.  drafting and annotating a governing document;;
.  overseeing its adoption or registration (depending on the legal status of the organisation);
.  preparing and submitting an application to the Charity Commission (OSCR in Scotland),
.  negotiation, advice and guidance.

If an organisation has already been in existence from some time and now wishes to register as a charity, I can organise the necessary amendments to its governing document and undertake the application to the Charity Commission or OSCR.

An existing charity that is incorporating as a company limited by guarantee must register again with the Commission in its new legal form. I can manage both the incorporation and charity re-registration as a standard package - see further down this page.

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REGISTERING AS A COMMUNITY INTEREST COMPANY (CIC)

The CIC is a type of limited company intended particularly for social enterprises that need to be able to trade freely and reward their participants fairly, while demonstrating a long-term commitment to social benefit and a regulated asset-lock. Click here for more information about CICs.

The procedure for establishing a CIC is the same as that for creating any sort of company, but the articles of association have to be drafted quite differently, and special documentation has to be prepared for the CIC Regulator in addition to that required by Companies House.

Most CICs are registered using the Regulator's own model articles, downloaded straight from their website. I tailor the articles of a CIC individually to the needs of the client group.

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STANDARD CONSULTANCY PACKAGES & CHARGES

These are the most common tasks I am asked to undertake, with a guide to my charges. If you need something else, please get in touch.

REGISTERING AS A COMPANY

I can design a unique company (limited by guarantee or by shares), tailored to your specifications, and manage the process of gettnig it registered at Companies House. Includes:

• drafting company constitution, tailored to the group’s needs
• preparation of all statutory forms and instructions
• managing the submission of documents to Companies House
• statutory registration fee
• guidance on running new company

Standard charge: £495, all inclusive.

REGISTERING AS A CHARITY

I can get your organisation (new or existing) entered on to the Central Register of Charities (in England & Wales) or the Scottish Charity Register – so long as it qualifies for registration. Includes:

• advising on eligibility for charitable status, including any complicating factors
• researching, preparing and submitting an application to the Charity Commission (OSCR in Scotland)
• assisting with the submission of the required trustee declaration
• subsequent negotiations with the Commission/OSCR

Guideline charge: usually between £300 and £750, depending on nature of application.

 

INCORPORATING AN EXISTING CHARITY

 I can lead you through the process of registering your existing charity (unincorporated) as a company limited by guarantee. This service includes all the elements described above under "Registering as a Company", with the addition of preparing and submitting an application for re-registration to the Charity Commission (in England and Wales) or OSCR (in Scotland).

Standard charge: £775, all inclusive.

 

REGISTERING AS A COMMUNITY INTEREST COMPANY (CIC)

  

Most CICs that are registered use the CIC Regulator's standard model with few or no amendments. I can design a unique community interest company, or CIC (limited by guarantee or by shares), tailored to your precise specifications, and ensure it gets registered by both Companies House and the CIC Regulator. Includes:

• drafting CIC constitution, tailored to the group’s needs
• preparation of all statutory forms and instructions
• managing the submission of documents to Companies House and the CIC Regulator
• statutory registration fees
• guidance on running new company

Standard charges:

CIC limited by guarantee - £585, all inclusive.

CIC limited by shares - £635, all inclusive

 

NOTES ON CHARGES:

Occasionally the standard charges may be varied (upwards or downward) in particular circumstances and by agreement.