Guidance

How to complain about a sole trader or director re-using the name of a company that is in liquidation.

Published 18 May 2018

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/complain-about-the-re-use-of-a-company-name/how-to-complain-about-a-director-of-a-company-in-liquidation-re-using-a-company-name

You can complain to the Insolvency Service if a director or sole trader is re-using the name (or a similar name) of a company in compulsory or creditors’ voluntary liquidation.

  • the person you are complaining about must have acted as a director of the company in liquidation, whether formally appointed or not
  • the rule does not apply if the insolvent company is in administration; or has ceased trading or been dissolved without entering liquidation

There are 3 exceptions to the rule

  • the live company has been known by a similar name and has actively traded for 12 months before the liquidation date
  • the business was acquired from an insolvency practitioner and the person has given the required legal notice in the Gazette and to the liquidated company’s creditors
  • the person has obtained permission from the court to use the name

Find out more about the re-use of company names after insolvent liquidation.

Complain to the Insolvency Service or telephone: 0300 678 0017 to ask for a form (24-hour answerphone). Find out about call charges.

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