Annex C: Other regulated words and expressions
Updated 4 March 2024
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/limited-liability-partnership-incorporation-and-names/annex-c-other-regulated-words-and-expressions
The use of any of these words and expressions in a LLP or business name could be a criminal offence. The list is not exhaustive and applicants should carry out their own checks to ensure their proposed name is lawful.
1. Anzac
The “Anzac” (Restriction on Trade Use of Word) Act 1916 makes it an offence to use this word or anything similar in connection with any trade, business or profession.
2. Architect
To use this word in your proposed LLP or business name, please provide an email or letter confirming you are authorised to use this title from the Architects Registration Board (ARB).
Architects Registration Board
8 Weymouth Street
London
W1W 5BU
Names that include ‘naval architect’, ‘landscape architect’ or ‘golf-course architect’ are not restricted.
3. Bachelor of medicine
This title is protected by The Medical Act 1983. To support your application to use this expression in a LLP or business name, please provide a copy of your practising certificate or evidence of your inclusion on the list of Registered Medical Practitioners.
4. Building Society
Building Societies are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Prudential Regulation Authority. This expression cannot be used in a LLP or business name.
For further information, please contact the FCA.
Sensitive Business Names Team
Financial Conduct Authority
25 North Colonnade Canary Wharf
London
E14 5HS
5. Chemist / Dispensing chemist / Dispensing druggist / Druggist / Pharmaceutical / Pharmaceutical chemist / Pharmaceutical druggist / Pharmaceutist / Pharmacist / Pharmacy
These titles are protected by the Medicines Act 1968. To use any of them in a proposed LLP or business name, please provide an email or letter of authorisation from your professional body.
England, Wales and Scotland
The General Pharmaceutical Council
25 Canada Square
London
E14 5LQ
Northern Ireland
The Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland
73 University Street
Belfast
BT7 1HL
6. Chiropractic / Chiropractor / Chiropractic practitioner / Chiropractioner / Chiropractic physician
These titles are protected by The Chiropractors Act 1994. To use any of them in your proposed LLP or business name, please provide an email or letter of authorisation from the General Chiropractic Council.
The Chief Executive
General Chiropractic Council
44 Wicklow Street
London
WC1X 9HL
7. Citius / Altius / Fortius
This expression, its plurals, translations and anything similar, is protected by The Olympic Symbol etc. (Protection) Act 1995. Its use in a LLP or business name could commit an offence. If you decide to proceed with your application, please seek the views of the British Olympic Association and include a copy of their response.
British Olympic Association
60 Charlotte Street
London
WIT 2NU
8. Commonhold Association
This expression can only be used in the name of a limited by guarantee LLP registered as a Commonhold Association in accordance with the Commonhold Regulations 2004 (SI No.1829) as amended by The Commonhold (Amendment) Regulations 2009 (SI No. 2363).
9. Contact lens / Contact lenses
If your proposed LLP or business intends to fit contact lenses, please provide evidence that you are a registered medical practitioner, optometrist or dispensing optician authorised to carry out this activity.
If your proposed LLP or business intends to manufacture or supply contact lenses (but will not fit lenses) please confirm this with your application.
10. Credit Union
Credit unions are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA). To use this expression in a LLP or business name, please provide an email or letter of non-objection from the relevant body.
England, Wales and Scotland
Financial Conduct Authority
25 The North Colonnade
Canary Wharf
London
E14 5HS
Northern Ireland
registry.info@economy-ni.gov.uk
Department for the Economy
Adelaide House
39-49 Adelaide Street
Belfast
BT2 8FD
11. Dispensing optician / Enrolled optician / Ophthalmic optician / Optician / Optometrist / Registered optician
These titles are protected by The Opticians Act 1989. To use any of them in your proposed LLP or business name, please provide an email or letter of authorisation from the General Optical Council.
The Registrar
General Optical Council
10 Old Bailey
London
EC4M 7NG
12. Doctor of medicine
This title is protected by The Medical Act 1983. To support your application to use this expression in a LLP or business name, please provide a copy of your practising certificate or evidence of your inclusion on the List of Registered Medical Practitioners.
13. Faster, higher, stronger
This expression, its plurals, translations and anything similar is protected by The Olympic Symbol etc. (Protection) Act 1995. Its use in a LLP or business name could commit an offence. If you decide to proceed with your application, please seek the views of the BOA and include a copy of their response.
British Olympic Association
60 Charlotte Street
London
W1T 2NU
14. General practitioner
This title is protected by The Medical Act 1983. To support your application to use this expression in your proposed LLP or business name, please provide a copy of your practising certificate or evidence of your inclusion on the List of Registered Medical Practitioners.
15. Geneva Cross
The Geneva Convention Act 1957 makes it an offence to use this expression in a LLP or business.
16. Health Care professions and protected titles
To use any of the protected titles set out below in your proposed LLP or business name, please provide an email or letter confirming you are authorised to use the relevant title from the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Registration Department
Health and Care Professions Council
Park House
184 Kennington Park Road
London
SE11 4BU
| Profession | Protected title |
|---|---|
| Art therapist | Arts psychotherapist, art therapist, drama therapist, music therapist |
| Biomedical scientist | Biomedical scientist |
| Chiropodist/podiatrist | Chiropodist, podiatrist |
| Clinical scientist | Clinical scientist |
| Dietitian | Dietitian, dietician |
| Hearing aid dispenser | Hearing aid dispenser |
| Occupational therapist | Occupational therapist |
| Operating department practitioner | Operating department practitioner |
| Orthoptist | Orthoptist |
| Paramedic | Paramedic |
| Physiotherapist | Physiotherapist, physical therapist, |
| Practitioner psychologist | Practitioner psychologist, registered psychologist, clinical psychologist, counselling psychologist, educational psychologist, forensic psychologist, health psychologist |
| Occupational psychologist | Occupational psychologist |
| Sport and exercise psychologist | Sport and exercise psychologist |
| Prosthetist/orthotist | Prosthetist, orthotist |
| Radiographer | Radiographer, diagnostic radiographer, therapeutic radiographer |
| Social worker (in England) | Social worker |
| Speech and language therapist | Speech and language therapist, speech therapist |
17. Olympic / Olympian / Olympiad / Paralympic / Paralympian / Paralympiad
The Olympic Symbol etc. (Protection) Act 1995 protects these words including their plurals, translations and anything similar. Their use in a LLP or business name could commit an offence. If you decide to proceed with your application, please seek the views of the BOA and include a copy of their response.
British Olympic Association
60 Charlotte Street
London
W1T 2NU
18. Ordnance survey
To use this expression in your proposed LLP or business, please provide an email or letter of non-objection from Ordnance Survey.
Ordnance Survey
Explorer House
Adanac Drive
Southampton
SO16 0AS
19. Physician
This tile is protected by The Medical Act 1983. To support your application to use this word in your proposed LLP or business name, please provide a copy of your practising certificate or evidence of your inclusion on the list of Registered Medical Practitioners.
20. Red Crescent / Red Cross / Red Lion and Sun
The Geneva Convention Act 1957 makes it an offence to use these expressions in a LLP or business name.
21. Social worker
To use this title in your proposed LLP or business name, please provide an email or letter of non-objection from the relevant body:
England
Registration Department
Health and Care Professions Council
Park House
84 Kennington Park Road
London
SE11 4BU
Wales
Social Care Wales
South Gate House
Wood Street
Cardiff
CF10 1EW
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland Social Care Council
19-25 Great Victoria Street
Belfast
BT2 7AQ
Scotland
The Scottish Social Services Council
Compass House
11 Riverside Drive
Dundee
DD1 4NY
22. Solicitor
England and Wales
If you are an existing firm i.e. a sole proprietor or partnership regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) please include a copy of your business letterhead, which includes the statement ‘regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority’.
If you are a new firm i.e. you do not already carry on business as a firm of solicitors, please include an email or letter from the SRA confirming that you are authorised to use this title.
The Solicitors Regulation Authority
Operations
The Cube
199 Wharfside Street
Birmingham
B1 1RN
Northern Ireland
To use this word in your proposed LLP or business name, please provide an email or letter from the relevant body, confirming you are authorised to use this title.
The Law Society of Northern Ireland
96 Victoria Street
Belfast
BT1 3GN
Scotland
To use this word in your proposed LLP or business name, please provide an email or letter from the relevant body confirming you are authorised to use this title.
The Law Society of Scotland
Atria One
144 Morrison Street
Edinburgh
EH3 8EX
23. Spirit in motion
This expression, its plurals, translations and anything similar, is protected by The Olympic Symbol etc. (Protection) Act 1995. Its use in a LLP or business name could commit an offence. If you decide to proceed with your application, please seek the views of the British Olympic Association and include a copy of their response.
British Olympic Association
60 Charlotte Street
London
W1T 2NU
24. Surgeon
This title is protected by The Medical Act 1983. To support your application to use this expression in a LLP or business name, please provide a copy of your practising certificate or evidence of your inclusion on the list of Registered Medical Practitioners.
25. Vet / Veterinary / Veterinary surgeon / Veterinary practitioner
These titles are protected by The Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966. To use any of them in your proposed LLP or business name, please provide an email or letter of authorisation from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
62-64 Horseferry Rd
London
SW1P 2AF