Make changes to your private limited company
Constitution and articles of association
You’ll need agreement from your shareholders before changing your company’s articles of association - the rules about how your company is run.
This can include changes to your company’s ‘objects’ - what your company does as a business.
When you must change your constitution
You can change your constitution whenever your shareholders agree to the change in a ‘resolution’.
You must also change your constitution if:
- a change in the law means your constitution would be illegal
- ordered to by the courts or a regulating authority (for example the Charity Commission) tells you to change it
Sending your changes
You must include a copy of both the resolution you passed and the new articles of association when you make any changes to your company’s constitution.
Depending on why you’re making the change you may also need to fill in one of the following:
- a statement of company objects if your company is changing the objects in its articles
- change of constitution by enactment if your change is because of a change in the law
- change of constitution by order of court or other authority if your change has been ordered
Send the copy of the resolution, the copy of your new articles and completed form (if any) to Companies House.
If a special enactment makes the change, you must include a copy of the enactment.
Deadline
You must send:
- a copy of the resolution within 15 days of it being agreed
- a copy of the amended articles of association within 15 days of them taking effect
- any forms (if needed) within 15 days of the changes