Annex C: Words and expressions protected under other legislation
Updated 15 July 2024
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/incorporation-and-names/annex-c-other-regulated-words-and-expressions--2
The use of any of these words and expressions in a company 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
As specified in the “Anzac” (Restriction on Trade Use of Word) Act, it is an offence to use this word or anything similar in connection with any trade, business or profession.
2. Apothecary
This title is protected by The Medical Act 1983. To support your application to use this expression in a company or business name, please provide evidence of your inclusion on the GMC Medical register.
3. Architect
The use of Architect in a company, LLP or business name is restricted under section 20 of The Architects Act 1997.
You can only use this title if you are a construction and build architect registered with the Architects Registration Board. Please provide a letter or email of non-objection from the ARB.
professionalstandards@arb.org.uk
Architects Registration Board
8 Weymouth Street
London
W1W 5BU
There is no restriction on the use of ‘naval architect’, ‘golf course architect’ or ‘landscape architect’. It’s an offence to use ‘architect’ in any other circumstances. You can find more information on the ARB website.
4. Bachelor of medicine
This title is protected by The Medical Act 1983. To support your application to use this expression in a company or business name, please provide evidence of your inclusion on the GMC Medical register.
5. Building Society
This title is protected under the Building Societies Act 1986 and cannot be used in a company or business name.
For further information, please contact the FCA.
Financial Conduct Authority
12 Endeavour Square
London
E20 1JN
6. Chemist
This title is protected by the Medicines Act 1968. To use it in your proposed 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
7. Chiropractic / Chiropractor / Chiropractic practitioner / Chiropractioner / Chiropractic physician
These titles are protected by The Chiropractors Act 1994. To use any of them in your proposed name, please provide an email or letter of authorisation from the General Chiropractic Council.
The Chief Executive
General Chiropractic Council
Park House
186 Kennington Park Road
London
SE11 4BT
8. 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 company 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
101 New Cavendish Street
London
W1W 6XH
9. Commonhold Association
This expression can only be used in the name of a limited by guarantee company registered in accordance with The Commonhold (Amendment) Regulations 2009 (SI No. 2363).
10. Community Benefit Society
This expression can only be used in the name of a society registered under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 or the Credit Unions and Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act (Northern Ireland) 2016. Please contact the Financial Conduct Authority for further information.
Financial Conduct Authority
12 Endeavour Square
London
E20 1JN
11. Credit Union
Credit unions are registered by the Financial Conduct. This title can only be used in the name of a Credit Union registered under the Credit Unions Act 1979 or the Credit Unions and Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act (Northern Ireland) 2016.
For further information, please contact the FCA.
Financial Conduct Authority
25 The North Colonnade
Canary Wharf
London
E14 5HS
12. Dental Practitioner / Dental Surgeon / Dentist
These titles are protected by the Dental Act 1984. To use any of them in your proposed name, please provide an email or letter of authorisation from the General Dental Council.
Email: businessnames@gdc-uk.org
General Dental Council
Registration Development
37 Wimpole Street
London
W1G 8DQ
13. Dispensing chemist / Dispensing druggist
These titles are protected by the Medicines Act 1968. To use any of them in a proposed company 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
14. Dispensing optician
This title is protected by The Opticians Act 1989. To use any of them in your proposed company 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
15. Doctor of medicine
This title is protected by The Medical Act 1983. To support your application, please provide evidence of your inclusion on the GMC Medical register.
16. Druggist
These titles are protected by the Medicines Act 1968. To use any of them in a proposed company 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
17. Enrolled optician
These titles are protected by The Opticians Act 1989. To use any of them in your proposed company 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
18. 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 company 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
101 New Cavendish Street
London
W1W 6XH
19. General practitioner
This title is protected by The Medical Act 1983. To support your application , please provide evidence of your inclusion on the GMC Medical register.
20. Geneva Cross
The Geneva Convention Act 1957 makes it an offence to use this expression in a company or business name.
21. Health Care professions protected titles
To use any of the protected titles set out below in your proposed company 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.
Registration Department
Health and Care Professions Council
Park House
184-186 Kennington Park Road
London
SE11 4BU
| Protected title | Protected title |
|---|---|
| Arts psychotherapist | Occupational psychologist |
| Arts therapist | Occupational therapist |
| Biomedical scientist | Operating department practitioner |
| Chiropodist | Orthoptist |
| Clinical psychologist | Orthotist |
| Clinical scientist | Paramedic |
| Counselling psychologist | Physical therapist |
| Diagnostic radiographer | Physiotherapist |
| Dietician | Podiatrist |
| Dietitian | Practitioner psychologist |
| Drama therapist | Prosthetist |
| Educational psychologist | Radiographer |
| Forensic psychologist | Registered psychologist |
| Health psychologist | Speech and language therapist |
| Hearing aid dispenser | Speech therapist |
| Language therapist | Sport and exercise psychologist |
| Music therapist | Therapeutic radiographer |
22. Industrial and Provident Society
Industrial and Provident Societies (now known as Registered Societies) are registered by the Financial Conduct Authority.
This title can only be used in the name of a society registered under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 or the Credit Unions and Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act (Northern Ireland) 2016. For further information, please contact the FCA.
Financial Conduct Authority
12 Endeavour Square
London
E20 1JN
23. Licentiate in medicine and surgery
This title is protected by The Medical Act 1983. To support your application , please provide evidence of your inclusion on the GMC Medical register.
24. Olympic / Olympian / Olympiad
The Olympic Symbol etc. (Protection) Act 1995 protects these words including their plurals, translations and anything similar. Their use in a company 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
101 New Cavendish Street
London
W1W 6XH
25. Ophthalmologist
To use this title in your proposed name, please provide an email or letter of authorisation from The Royal College of Ophthalmologists.
The Royal College of Ophthalmologists
18 Stephenson Way
London
NW1 2HD
26. Optician / Ophthalmic optician / Optometrist
These titles are protected by The Opticians Act 1989. To use any of them in your proposed company 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
27. Paralympic / Paralympian / Paralympiad
The Olympic Symbol etc. (Protection) Act 1995 protects these words including their plurals, translations and anything similar. Their use in a company 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
101 New Cavendish Street
London
W1W 6XH
28. Pharmaceutical chemist / Pharmaceutical druggist / Pharmaceutist / Pharmacist
These titles are protected by the Medicines Act 1968. To use any of them in a proposed company 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
29. Physician
This tile is protected by The Medical Act 1983. To support your application , please provide evidence of your inclusion on the GMC Medical register.
30. Red Crescent / Red Cross / Red Lion and Sun
The Geneva Convention Act 1957 makes it an offence to use these expressions in a company or business name.
31. Registered optician
These titles are protected by The Opticians Act 1989. To use any of them in your proposed company 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
32. Registered Society
This expression can only be used in the name of a society registered under the Cooperative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 or the Credit Unions and Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act (Northern Ireland) 2016. For further information, please contact the Financial Conduct Authority.
Financial Conduct Authority
12 Endeavour Square
London
E20 1JN
33. Social worker
To use the protected title ‘Social worker’ in your proposed name please provide a letter or email of non-objection from the body shown below.
England
enquiries@socialworkengland.org.uk
Social Work England
1 North Bank
Blonk Street
Sheffield
S3 8JY
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland Social Care Council
7th Floor Millennium House
25 Great Victoria Street
Belfast
BT2 7AQ
Scotland
The Scottish Social Services Council
Compass House
11 Riverside Drive
Dundee
DD1 4NY
Wales
Social Care Wales
South Gate House
Wood Street
Cardiff
CF10 1EW
34. 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 company 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 company 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
35. 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 company 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
101 New Cavendish Street
London
WIW 6XH
36. Surgeon
This title is protected by The Medical Act 1983. To support your application to use this expression in a company or business name, please provide evidence of your inclusion on the GMC Medical register.
37. Vet / Veterinary / Veterinary surgeon / Veterinary practitioner
These titles are protected by The Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966. To use any of them in your proposed company or business name, please provide an email or letter of authorisation from The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
62-64 Horseferry Rd
London
SW1P 2AF