Hi all,

Can anyone suggest where I might be able to get copies of Articles & Memorandum of association documents from.

I searched the net but I'd like to get them from recommended sources rather than 'some website' I find using a search engine.

As always any help much appreciated.

Thanks
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I registered my company with companywizard.co.uk, and they included the memorandum, articles, and everything else. Think maybe I paid about ?0-?0?

Hope this helps

Debs
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Thanks for the reply.

Being the tight a**e that I am, I'm going to do it directly with companies house which costs ?0 but if the other documents I need cost alot I may follow your example and use your linked site.

Thanks again for the reply.
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The thing about getting the mem and arts from a co. formation agent is that they have already been adapted to suit the type of business you intend to set up. Otherwise you will need to get the standard form altered which may cost more.
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If price is a factor use www.companiesmadesimple.com (http://www.companiesmadesimple.com/index.html)
Basic incorp is about ?6 inc VAT. Very simple and easy to use.
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If cost is an issue Diy Accounting provide the memorandum and articles of association for new limited companies by shares and by guarantee as part of the company formation pack for under ?5.
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Hi, I'm new here. I'm an author in the process of setting up a publishing company which to start with I'll be operating as a sole trader. Besides Company House forms 10 and 12 do I also need to submit mem and arts?
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Hiya White Rose

Welcome to the forum ..... if you are going to operate as a Sole Trader, then you DO NOT need to submit the Memorandum and Articles of Association.

CLICK HERE (http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/forms/cwf1.pdf) for a PDF of the HMRC form to register as self employed.

Hope that helps. :)
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Switch media do online company formation (took 3 days I think) for ?2.
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In reply to the OP though, have a look at OYEZ (http://www.oyezformslink.co.uk/company_formation.asp?referrer=google&gclid=CLumi_nm7pQCFQNaFQodO26fqQ) for all your company formation stationery.

That should cover everything you need.

:)
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Hiya White Rose

Welcome to the forum ..... Hope that helps. :)

Oh it does, Fernhurst Accountancy Solutions! Thanks very much. :) I've bookmarked your website as well; you're a star. :)
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Being the tight a**e that I am, I'm going to do it directly with companies house which costs ?0 but if the other documents I need cost alot I may follow your example and use your linked site.

WH Smith DIY Pack, and then alter to suit if neccesary.

Pilfo
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I'm an author in the process of setting up a publishing company which to start with I'll be operating as a sole trader. Besides Company House forms 10 and 12 do I also need to submit mem and arts?

If you start trading as a sole trader then you do need to register your self employment with HMRC but do not need to register with Companies House until you wish to change from being self employed and form a limited company.

When registering as a limited company you need to submit Company House forms 10 and 12 with the Memorandum of Association, signed by the subscribers to the memorandum and also the Articles of Association
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If you start trading as a sole trader then you do need to register your self employment with HMRC but do not need to register with Companies House until you wish to change from being self employed and form a limited company.

When registering as a limited company you need to submit Company House forms 10 and 12 with the Memorandum of Association, signed by the subscribers to the memorandum and also the Articles of Association

OK thanks Terry. I've filled out forms 10 and 12 but I've got another question that may pertain to others in my position. On form 12 I have to delete either [Solicitor engaged in the formation of the company or person named as director or secretary of the company in the statement delivered to the Registrar under section 10 of the Companies Act 2005.]

As I don't need a company secretary (even if I were a limited company, I believe) then should I appoint myself as a director? I thought only limited companies had directors? Is it unethical or contravening restrictions to be a director if you are a sole trader?
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Jude, if you are just registering as Self Employed you don't need to complete form 10 OR 12. You only need to register yourself as a Director if you are forming a Limited Company. :)
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Jude, if you are just registering as Self Employed you don't need to complete form 10 OR 12. You only need to register yourself as a Director if you are forming a Limited Company. :)


Thanks Andy but I want to register the company name at companies house so that no-one else can register themselves as a limited company using that name...
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Oh right, I mis-understood ...... in that case you need to register a Limited Company. If you want to register the company yourself, have a look at the link I posted on page 1 for Company Formation stationery although I am pretty sure that Terry Cartwright also has this stationery available. :)
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Oh right, I mis-understood ...... in that case you need to register a Limited Company. If you want to register the company yourself, have a look at the link I posted on page 1 for Company Formation stationery although I am pretty sure that Terry Cartwright also has this stationery available. :)

OK thanks Andy. So, if I want to reserve the company name with companies house, I have no option but to register as a limited company? The thing is that at this early stage of proceedings I feel it would probably be more financially beneficial to operate as a sole trader...
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You can register the limited company, but not use it and just submit dormant accounts ..... so the name will be yours, but can still operate as a sole trader.

Does that make sense?

:)
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You can register the limited company, but not use it and just submit dormant accounts ..... so the name will be yours, but can still operate as a sole trader.

Does that make sense?

:)

Ah right, brilliant Andy, thanks very much. So now I do need the mem and arts?

Will I be a company director then or just a dormant company director? Or am I getting too hung up on details? I guess I just want to do things the right way, being a complete nOOb at all this.
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Lol, yes you are :). The first step is to get the Limited Company registered, some company formation businesses can do this for circa ?5 - ?0 - so no real cost there. If you decide not to use the Limited Company for now, and just trade as a Sole Trader then you will be required to submit Dormant Accounts for the Limited Company. You will be a Director of the company, whether it's active or dormant.

:)
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Lol, yes you are :). The first step is to get the Limited Company registered, some company formation businesses can do this for circa ?5 - ?0 - so no real cost there. If you decide not to use the Limited Company for now, and just trade as a Sole Trader then you will be required to submit Dormant Accounts for the Limited Company. You will be a Director of the company, whether it's active or dormant.

:)

As long as I can wear a T-shirt saying "I'm a company director" I'll do owt! :)

Seriously though, you and Terry have provided invaluable advice, thanks so much. I'll have a look into acquiring the necessary documents now...
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Jude, that's the general idea of the forum ..... good luck with the book and if I can be of any further help, you have my contact details. I'll also be in touch about the new website in due course.

Now, go and find those documents so you can get your t-shirt ;)
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The thing is that at this early stage of proceedings I feel it would probably be more financially beneficial to operate as a sole trader...

Forming a limited company has lots of additional requirements with regard to directors duties, accounts etc., and the tax advantages don't kick in until your net income is high enough and make the additional administration worth the effort.

If you need to register as a company to protect your personal liability then forming a company may be the right decision, or if you have other reasons such as establishing the company name or gasining mnore credence with clients and suppliers then fine form a company.

However if you are just starting out and these items are of interest but not critical then I would suggest you simply register with HMRC as a sole trader and take the decision to incorporate at a later date, next year or the year after when you do so because it is the right decision at that time.
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If you need to register as a company to protect your personal liability then forming a company may be the right decision, or if you have other reasons such as establishing the company name or gasining mnore credence with clients and suppliers then fine form a company.


Yes on both counts, really, thanks Terry. I feel a lot more confident talking to people who actually know what they're talking about; I really appreciate all the help you guys are giving me. :)

I'll also be in touch about the new website in due course.

Thanks Andy, I'm more than happy to be on your mailing list.

Now, go and find those documents so you can get your t-shirt ;)

Well, I don't know whether it's the done thing but I'm operating on a ridiculously tight budget until the book goes on sale (and starts flying off the shelves ;) ) so I've now found and downloaded two free templates, one for the Memorandium of Association, and one for the Articles of Association, from reusethewheel dot com (I can't post URL links until I've made 15 posts, sorry!)

EDIT: looks like these free templates are for mem and arts for companies limited by shares actually rather than guarantee, but they may be useful for other people so I will leave the reference up.

It all looks very frightening and legalise-ish but I'm now determined to get my teeth into this and not be scared. Hey, if I can write the book I've just written copyrighted under my own name (not a task for the faint-hearted, I assure you!) then nothing should scare me!

EDIT: OK I've printed Table C from the companies house website, and amended it to my own company name. How do I inform companies house that I'm actually trading as a sole trader, or is this irrelevant as it is how the company is operated (ie as a sole trader) which determines the state of dormancy or otherwise of the limited company...
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Terry and Andy: I felt I couldn't keep bending your ears with my questions and I had further queries that were maybe outside of just accounts and finance, so I started a thread on the main forum and offered a free signed copy of my book to the person who could answer all the questions, which MartCactus has done. I am also going to add you both to my database of people to give free signed copies of the book to once it's published, as you were both so helpful to me as a complete nOOb on this huge forum. If you'd prefer not to receive one then just pm me and let me know, although as I said to MartCactus you could always give it away as there is a decorative dedication page in the front matter of the book, - or sell it on ebay! :)
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