Remedy
Start free

Section 54: Names suggesting connection with government or public authority

Companies Act 2006 · 2006 c. 46View on legislation.gov.uk

Part 5: A company's name — Chapter 1: General requirements

The approval of the Secretary of State is required for a company to be registered under this Act by a name that would be likely to give the impression that the company is connected with—

Her Majesty's Government, any part of the Scottish administration , the Welsh Assembly Government or Her Majesty's Government in Northern Ireland,
a local authority, or
any public authority specified for the purposes of this section by regulations made by the Secretary of State.

For the purposes of this section—

  • "local authority" means—

    (a)a local authority within the meaning of the Local Government Act 1972 (c. 70), the Common Council of the City of London or the Council of the Isles of Scilly,

    (b)a council constituted under section 2 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994 (c. 39), or

    (c)a district council in Northern Ireland;

  • "public authority" includes any person or body having functions of a public nature.

Regulations under this section are subject to affirmative resolution procedure.

About this text

This legislation text comes from legislation.gov.uk. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. These source and reuse terms cover the legislation text, not Remedy's commentary.

Reuse reviewed 21 August 2026 under Open Government Licence v3.0.