Guidance

Limited liability partnerships: incorporation and names

Updated 1 May 2024

This guide will be relevant if you want to:

• incorporate a limited liability partnership
• change an existing limited liability partnership’s name

This guide provides information on completing the most commonly used filings relating to this area. The guide is not drafted with unusual or complex transactions in mind. Specialist professional advice may be needed in those circumstances.

Companies House cannot advise you whether an LLP is the best vehicle for your business. Setting up an LLP brings many obligations. It may be worthwhile taking advice from a solicitor or accountant to check whether an LLP is the best way for you to run your business.

This guide sets out the main requirements for incorporating a limited liability partnership (LLP) in the UK - England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. It includes information and advice about:

• how to incorporate an LLP
• the type of LLP you wish to incorporate
• the members
• choosing your LLP name including controls and restrictions
• changing your LLP name
• disclosure of LLP name and other information

1. Incorporating a new LLP

An LLP is a form of legal business entity with limited liability for the members.

The main difference between an LLP and a limited company, is that an LLP has the organisational flexibility of a partnership and is taxed as a partnership. In other respects it is very similar to a private company.

1.1 Who can incorporate an LLP

Two or more persons carrying on lawful business with a view to a profit, can incorporate an LLP by subscribing to its incorporation document and stating that they wish to form the LLP for lawful purposes.

In law, ‘person’ includes individuals and companies or firms. LLPs are not applicable for all activities, for example, non-profit making activities.

1.2 How to incorporate and fees

There are 2 ways to incorporate an LLP.

Digital software filing

Incorporations can be submitted digitally through suitably enabled software however, many incorporation agents and software providers have developed their systems to the point where they are able to offer customers a web-based digital service (this is chargeable).This means that occasional as well as regular customers can apply for incorporation.

Many of the businesses shown on our list of software suppliers provide web-based services and depending on the volume of filings you anticipate making, it may be more practical for you to use their services.

Find more information about software filing and a list of providers.

The standard fee for digital filing is £50 or £78 for the ‘same day’ service (for applications received by 3pm Monday to Friday).

Paper filing

It costs £71 to send a paper application to register (incorporate) a LLP. Make your cheque or postal order payable to Companies House.

It takes longer to process paper documents sent by post.

1.3 Documents required to incorporate an LLP

You can incorporate an LLP yourself, or you can use a company formation agent, accountant or solicitor. You need to complete an “Application to register a limited liability partnership” (form LL IN01) and send this with the fee to Companies House.

You may not be able to have the LLP name that you want, if your proposed name is the ‘same as’ that of another LLP or other body already on the registrar’s index of names. There is an exception to this if an existing LLP or company is in the same group as your LLP, and consents to the use of your proposed LLP name. This is explained more fully in choosing an LLP name.

Further information about choosing an LLP name is in Chapter 3 and we advise you to read that information before deciding a name for your proposed LLP.

1.4 Proposed name

You cannot reserve a proposed name. We cannot guarantee to process applications in strict order of the time or date of their receipt.

Digital documents are usually processed more quickly than paper documents.

1.5 The application to register a limited liability partnership (form LL IN01)

This form requires:

• the LLP’s name
• where the registered office of the LLP is to be situated (i.e. England and Wales, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland)
• the registered office address
• the LLP’s registered email address
• that 2 or more persons have subscribed their name to the incorporation document for carrying on lawful business with a view to a profit
• whether the LLP is to have specified members as designated members or whether all members are to be designated members
• details of each proposed member, including whether that member is to be a designated member
• details of People with Significant Control (PSC), or other legally required statements such as a statement that the LLP doesn’t have any PSC (further guidance)
• a statement of compliance

If your LLP’s name contains a prescribed or sensitive word, you’ll need to confirm you have requested approval from a government department or other body. You must include a copy of this approval with your application.

1.6 Registered office

Every LLP must have an appropriate registered office. An address is an ‘appropriate address’ if, in the ordinary course of events: 

• a document addressed to the company, and delivered there by hand or by post, would be expected to come to the attention of a person acting on behalf of the company
• the delivery of documents there is capable of being recorded by the obtaining of an acknowledgement of delivery

If your LLP is registered in England and Wales, its registered office must be situated in England or Wales.

If your LLP is registered as only being situated in Wales, its registered office cannot be outside of Wales.

If your LLP is registered in Scotland, its registered office must be situated in Scotland.

If your LLP is registered in Northern Ireland, its registered office must be situated in Northern Ireland.

Once your LLP is incorporated it’s important that you tell us whenever this address changes. Your change of address is not effective until we register your notice.

1.7 Registered email address 

You must provide a registered email address when you set up an LLP. This must be an appropriate email address and is an address where LLP communications can be sent by Companies House.  

An email address is an ‘appropriate email address’ if, in the ordinary course of events, emails sent to it by the registrar would be expected to come to the attention of a person acting on behalf of the LLP.

The registered email address will be held privately by Companies House. 

You must notify Companies House if you change your registered email address. It’s important to keep your registered email address up to date.

1.8 Election to keep certain statutory register information at Companies House on incorporation

From 30 June 2016, LLPs are able to elect not to keep any or all of certain statutory registers, but instead send the information that would usually be kept in those registers to the registrar of companies for placing on the public register at Companies House.

This can be done by the proposed members wishing to form the LLP as part of the documents required to be delivered on incorporation to the registrar. This is voluntary, and an LLP can hold its own registers, if it wishes.

The option to make an election only applies to the following registers:

• register of LLP members
• register of LLP people with significant control
• register of LLP members usual residential address

More detailed information on exercising the option and the implications of doing so can be found in our LLP registers guide.

1.9 What happens to applications sent to us

We’ll carry out a number of examination checks. If the application is correctly completed, the proposed name is acceptable and the fee has been paid, we’ll register the LLP and issue a certificate of incorporation.

1.10 Certificate of incorporation

The certificate of incorporation is conclusive evidence that the requirements of the LLP Act 2000 have been complied with and the LLP is duly registered under the act.

The certificate will state:

• the name and registered number of the LLP
• the date of its incorporation
• whether the LLP’s registered office is situated in England and Wales (or in Wales), Scotland or Northern Ireland

The certificate must be signed by the registrar or authenticated by the registrar’s official seal.

2. Members and designated members

2.1 Minimum number of designated members

Every LLP must have at least 2, formally appointed designated members at all times. If there are fewer than 2 designated members then every member is deemed to be a designated member.

Once your LLP is incorporated, it’s important that you notify Companies House whenever any of the members’ details change. More information is covered in our Life of a limited liability partnership guide.

2.2 The difference between a member and a designated member

With the agreement of the other members, a member may become a designated member at any time. Designated members have the same rights and duties towards the LLP as any other member. The LLP agreement and the general law govern these mutual rights and duties.

However, the law also places extra responsibilities on designated members. In particular, designated members are responsible for:

• appointing an auditor (if one is needed)
• signing the accounts on behalf of the members
• delivering the accounts to Companies House
• notifying Companies House of any membership changes or change to the registered office address or name of the LLP
• preparing, signing and delivering the confirmation statement to Companies House
• acting on behalf of the LLP if it is wound up and dissolved

They’re also accountable in law for failing to carry out these legal responsibilities.

2.3 Who can be a member

It’s up to the members to decide who should be appointed to the LLP.

They must not:

• have been disqualified from acting as a company director or member of an LLP (unless the court has given them permission to act for a particular LLP)
• be an un-discharged bankrupt (unless the court has given them permission to act for a particular LLP)

3. Choosing an LLP name

Before choosing a name, you should check that your chosen name is not the ‘same as’ an existing name on the index of company names.

You should also check the Trade Marks Register of the UK Intellectual Property Office, to ensure that the proposed name is not identical or similar to an existing trade mark.

You can also contact the Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys via their website. The registration of an LLP or company name does not mean the name or part of a name might not infringe other laws such as trade mark law.

3.1 Restrictions on LLP names

Although the vast majority of applicants register their chosen name, there are some restrictions that affect a choice of name. Restrictions and controls are set out in:

• part 3 of the Limited Liability Partnerships (Application of Companies Act) Regulations 2009 (2009/1804)
• the Company, Limited Liability Partnership and Business (Names and Trading Disclosures) Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/17)
• the Company, Limited Liability Partnership and Business (Sensitive Words and Expressions) Regulations 2014 (SI 2014/3140)

These include:

• restrictions on the use of words and expressions (including abbreviations) which indicate the type of legal structure, for example ‘limited’, ‘unlimited’, ‘PLC’, ‘limited liability partnership’
• certain words and expressions (including abbreviations) which describe a particular form of legal structure (including Welsh equivalents), can only be used at the end of a name, such as ‘Limited Liability Partnership’
• a name that could suggest a connection with the UK government, a devolved administration, a local authority or a specified public authority
• a name that includes ‘sensitive’ words or expressions included in regulations
• a name that includes words that would constitute an offence
• an offensive name
• a name which is the ‘same as’ an existing name on the index
• the use of certain characters, signs, symbols and punctuation in an LLP name
• a name which is the ‘same as’ an existing name on the index
• a name that includes sensitive words or expressions included in regulations
• a name that includes words that would constitute an offence
• an offensive name
• a name that, in the opinion of the Secretary of State, is intended to facilitate the commission of an offence involving dishonesty or deception (that is, fraud) 
• a name that could suggest a connection with the UK government, a devolved administration, a local authority or a specified public authority. 
• a name that could give the false impression that the company is connected with:  
  • a foreign government or an agency or authority of a foreign government, or  
  • an international organisation whose members include 2 or more countries or territories (or their governments) 
• a name that consists of or includes computer code 
• prohibitions on reusing a name that has been subject to a direction from Companies House or an order from the Company Names Tribunal 
• the use of certain characters, signs, symbols and punctuation in an LLP name

3.2 ‘Same as’ names

If 2 LLP names are so similar they’re likely to confuse the public as to which LLP is which, they’re considered to be ‘same as’. To determine whether a name is the same as another name, the regulations set out the words and expressions that must be disregarded, and the words, expressions, signs and symbols that are to be regarded as the same.

3.3 What’s disregarded

The following are disregarded at the end of the name:

Limited; Unlimited; Public Limited Company; Community Interest Company; Right to Enfranchisement; Right to Manage; European Economic Interest Grouping; Investment Company with Variable Capital; Limited Partnership;

Limited Liability Partnership; Open-Ended Investment Company; Charitable Incorporated Organisation; Industrial and Provident Society; Co-Operative Society; Community Benefit Society.

Cyfyngedig; Anghyfyngedig; Cwmni Cyfyngedig Cyhoeddus; Cwmni Buddiant Cymunedol; Cwmni Buddiant Cymunedol Cyhoeddus Cyfyngedig;Hawl I Ryddfreiniad; Cwmni RTM Cyfyngedig; Cwmni Buddsoddi  Chyfalaf Newidiol; Partneriaeth Cyfyngedig; Partneriaeth Atebolrwydd Cyfyngedig; Cwmni Buddsoddiad Penagored; Sefydliad Elusennol Corfforedig.

LTD; PLC; CIC; RTE; RTM; EEIG; LP; LLP; CIO; CYF; CCC; CBC; Cwmni Buddiant Cymunedol CCC; PC; PAC; SEC.

When preceded by a blank space, a full stop or ‘@’ the following:

& co; & company; and co; and company

biz

co; co uk; co.uk; com; company

eu

GB; Great Britain

net; NI; Northern Ireland

org; org uk; org.uk

UK; United Kingdom

Wales

& cwmni; a’r cwmni; cwmni; cym; Cymru

DU

PF; Prydain Fawr

Y Deyrnas Unedig

1. Any of the above if preceded by and followed by brackets.
2. The punctuation, signs and symbols ‘ ’ ‘ , ( ), [ ], { }, < >, !, « », “, ”, “, ?, . /, ?, \, /.
3. “*”, “=”, “#”, “%” and “+” when used as one of the first 3 characters in a name.
4. ”s” at the end of a name
5. Any characters after the first 60 characters in a name.
6. “the” and “www” at the beginning of a name.

3.4 What characters, words, expressions, signs and symbols are considered ’same as’ each other

Column 1 (permitted characters)	Column 2 (to be treated the same as)
À Á Â Ã Ä Å Ā Ă Ą Ǻ	A
Æ Ǽ	AE
Ç Ć Ĉ Ċ Č	C
Þ Ď Đ	D
È É Ê Ë Ē Ĕ Ė Ę Ě	E
Ĝ Ğ Ġ Ģ	G
Ĥ Ħ	H
Ì Í Î Ï Ĩ Ī Ĭ Į İ	I
Ĵ	J
Ķ	K
Ĺ Ļ Ľ Ŀ Ł	L
Ñ Ń Ņ Ň Ŋ	N
Ò Ó Ô Õ Ö Ø Ō Ŏ Ő Ǿ	O
Œ	OE CE
Ŕ Ŗ Ř	R
Ś Ŝ Ş Š	S
Ţ Ť Ŧ	T
Ù Ú Û Ü Ũ Ū Ŭ Ů Ű Ų	U
Ŵ Ẁ Ẃ Ẅ	W
Ỳ Ý Ŷ Ÿ	Y
Ź Ż Ž	Z

Column 1 (permitted characters, words and expressions)	Column 2 (to be treated the same as)
AND	&
PLUS	+
0, ZERO	O
1	ONE
2, TWO, TO and TOO	TOO
3	THREE
4, FOUR	FOR
5	FIVE
6	SIX
7	SEVEN
8	EIGHT
9	NINE
£	POUND
€	EURO
$	DOLLAR
¥	YEN
%, PER CENT, PERCENT, PER CENTUM	PERCENTUM
@	AT

3.5 Examples of ‘same as’ names

“ŘEAL COFFEE CAFÉ LLP” is the same as the “REAL COFFEE CAFE LLP”.

“PLUM TECHNOLOGY LLP” is the same as “PLUM TECHNOLOGY & COMPANY LLP”.

“STONE COMPANY LLP” is the same as “STONE AND COMPANY (UK) LLP”.

3.6 Exceptions to the ‘same as’ rules

The ‘same as’ rule doesn’t apply if:

• the proposed LLP is intended to be part of the same group as an existing ‘same as’ LLP or company and
• the existing LLP or company consents to the registration of the proposed name
• the application to register includes a letter/statement from the existing LLP or company confirming that it consents to the registration of the proposed LLP name and that it will form part of the same group.

4. Sensitive words and expressions

The sensitive words and expressions set out in The Company, Limited Liability Partnership and Business Names (Sensitive Words and Expressions) Regulations 2014 SI 2009/3140) require approval by the Secretary of State to be used in the name of company or LLP name, or a business name.

The controls exist to ensure a name does not mislead or harm the public. It may not be appropriate to use a certain word if it:

• suggests business pre-eminence, a particular status, or a specific function, for example, names that include “British”, “Institute” or “Tribunal”
• implies a connection with the UK Government, a devolved administration or a local or specified public authority
• Includes a word which represents a regulated activity
• Includes a word whose use could be an offence

Annex A sets out the approval criteria to use a sensitive word or expression included in the regulations. Information intended to support a proposed name, such as a letter or email of non-objection from a specified body, must be included with the ‘application to register an LLP (LLIN01) or to use a business name.

You’ll need approval if you want to use a name which:

• could imply a connection with the UK government, a devolved administration or a local or specified public authority - Annex B includes a list of words and expression that require prior approval and includes details of contact bodies and approval criteria
• is protected or regulated by other legislation - Annex C includes a list of protected words, contact bodies and approval criteria

5. Other restricted words

5.1 False connection with foreign governments 

You will not be able to register an LLP by a name that would be likely to give a false impression that the LLP is connected with: 

• a foreign government or an agency or authority of a foreign government
• an international organisation whose members include 2 or more countries or territories (or their governments) (such as the United Nations or the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) 

5.2 Names for criminal purposes 

You will not be able to register an LLP by a name if, in the opinion of the Secretary of State, the registration of the LLP by that name is intended to facilitate the commission of what would, in the UK, constitute an offence involving dishonesty or deception (fraud). This could include an attempt to target the name of an organisation, financial institution or business for the purpose of carrying out fraudulent activity.

5.3 Names containing computer code 

You will not be able to register an LLP by a name that consists of or includes computer code.

6. Change of LLP name

The restrictions are identical to the ones applying on incorporation. 

If your proposed name is ‘too like’ a name already on the registrar’s index of names and an objection is made, then the Secretary of State may direct your LLP to change its name.

Further information on ‘too like’ and the Secretary of State’s powers to issue a direction.

6.1 How to change an LLP’s name 

In order to change an LLP’s name, you’ll need to send us a ‘Notice of change of name of an LLP’ (form LL NM01). 

Digital software filing 

If your change of name application does not contain any sensitive words, it may be submitted to Companies House using our software filing service.

The standard fee is £20 and £83 for the ‘same day’ service.

Change of name can only be submitted digitally through suitably enabled software, however, many incorporation agents and software providers have developed their systems to the point where they’re able to offer customers a web-based digital service (this is chargeable). This means that occasional, as well as regular customers, can apply for digital change of name. 

It is not yet possible to file a change of name application in Welsh using our digital services.

Paper filing 

Our standard fee is £30. Make your cheque payable to ‘Companies House’ and write the LLP number on the back.

If your application contains any sensitive words, it can only be submitted to Companies House in paper format. 

You must complete a ‘Notice of change of name of an LLP’ (form LL NM01). This should then be signed by a designated member and sent to Companies House, with the fee and any additional information to justify the name. 

If your application is correct, we’ll process the form and issue the LLP with a Certificate of Incorporation on Change of Name. The name of the LLP is not changed until the new certificate is issued.

7. Objections to LLP names

You could be required to change your registered name following a complaint if: 

• the name is similar (also known as ‘too like’) an existing name on the index 
• misleading information to support the use of a sensitive word or expression was provided at the time of registration 
• the name gives so misleading an indication of the company’s activities, it is likely to pose a risk of harm to the public in the UK or elsewhere 
• the name is used for criminal purposes 
• the name has been wrongly registered 
• the name is the same as a name associated with the applicant (complainant) in which he has goodwill, or it is sufficiently similar and is likely to mislead by suggesting a connection between the company and the applicant (opportunistic registration). 

Where Companies House issues a direction to an LLP to changes its name, it must give at least 28 days for the LLP to change its name.

7.1 ‘Too like’ names

A name may be too similar, or ‘too like’ an existing name if it differs from another name on the index by only a few characters, signs symbols or punctuation or if it looks and sounds the same.

When considering a complaint on grounds of ‘too like’ we can’t take account of factors such as alleged trademark infringement, implied association, possible passing off, geographic location or similarity of activities. The Secretary of State must give any direction to change a ‘too like’ name within 12 months of the LLP’s registration by the name in question.

The majority of names are available to register but to avoid the possibility of incurring additional costs such as changing stationary, signage and website. We advise applicants to check the index of company names before proceeding with their application.

You can only make objections on grounds of ‘too like’ after Companies House has registered the LLP. We can only reject ‘same as’ names before registration. 

To avoid the possibility of a ‘too like’ objection, we advise applicants to make a search of the index of names before they apply to form an LLP or change the name of an existing LLP.

7.2 Misleading information

An LLP may be directed to change its name if, within 5 years of registration, it no longer justifies the use of a previously approved sensitive word because:

• misleading information was provided when the name was registered
• it’s no longer fulfilling an undertaking or assurance given to support the name

7.3 Misleading indication of activities

An LLP may be directed to change its name, if it gives so misleading an indication of the nature of the LLP’s activities as to pose a risk of harm to the public in the UK or elsewhere.

There’s no time limit for making a complaint.

7.4 Criminal purposes 

An LLP may be directed to change its name if it appears to the Secretary of State that the name has been used, or is intended to be used, by the LLP to facilitate the commission of an offence involving dishonesty or deception (fraud).

Companies House will consider any objections on a case-by-case basis taking into account any evidence of fraudulent activity.

7.5 Names wrongly registered 

An LLP may be directed to change its name if the name was wrongly registered. For example, an offensive name gets registered, or the relevant approval required for a sensitive word or expression was not provided. Companies House will consider using this power on a case-by-case basis. 

7.6 Power to change a company’s name 

Where an LLP fails to comply with a direction to change its name, the registrar can determine a new name for the LLP. If the registrar determines a new name for an LLP, the registrar must give the LLP notice of the decision and publish that fact on the public register. 

Companies House also has the power to change an LLP’s name if it contains or includes computer code and to remove any reference to the old name.

7.7 Opportunistic registration

Opportunistic registration is the term applied to a company or LLP, which registers a name, which is the same as an existing name in which another person has goodwill; or if a name is so similar the public are unable to distinguish between the company and name in which another person has goodwill.

The Company Names Tribunal (CNT), a part of the Intellectual Property Office considers complaints about opportunistic registration. This provision provides a remedy for parties who believe the registration of a company or LLP name in which they have a goodwill causes them harm. If the CNT upholds a complaint the Company Names Adjudicator may issue an Order requiring the company in question to change its name.

If the LLP fails to voluntarily change its name, the Adjudicator may give Notice to the Registrar of Companies to change the name of the LLP to its LLP number, so that its number becomes its name.

Further information, including application forms and contact information is available on the Company Names Tribunal website.

7.8 Prohibitions on re-registering a name 

Where Companies House has issued a direction to change an LLP’s name, or the Company Names Tribunal has issued an order, the LLP must not subsequently reregister under the same name or one similar to the name required to be changed.

The members of the LLP must also not use the name, or one similar, for any new or existing LLP. The only exception is where Companies House, on behalf of the Secretary of State, grants approval, for example, if a previous ‘too like’ name is now available.

8. Business names

A “business name” is any name under which someone carries on business other than their own. In the case of a company or limited liability partnership, it means a name that is not its registered name. In the case of a sole trader, it means a name other than a surname with or without forenames or initials. In the case of a partnership, it means a name other than the partners’ names.

8.1 Provisions of the Companies Act 2006 which apply to a business name

Business names are not registered under the Companies Act 2006. Some of the rules included in the act which apply are:

• restrictions on the use of certain words in the name and names that could imply a connection with a government department or public body
• restrictions on using a name that would be likely to give the false impression that the business is connected with a foreign government or an agency or authority of a foreign government, or an international organisation whose members include 2 or more countries or territories (or their governments)
• restrictions on using a name that Companies House has directed, or the Companies Names Tribunals has ordered, to be changed
• inappropriate and misleading use of a name ending, for example ‘limited’ at the end of the name - if the LLP is trading there are rules to prevent the use of names that could mislead the public
• rules requiring the names of sole traders and partnerships using a business name to be displayed on stationery and signs at business premises

8.2 Obtaining approval to use a sensitive word in a business name

If your business name includes any of the words and expressions included in Annexes A to C, you must obtain the written views of that body, and send it to Companies House with your letter seeking permission to use the name. If you use such a name without prior approval, you’ll be committing an offence and may be subject to a fine.

You should also ensure your business name does not infringe an existing trade mark.

8.3 Displaying your business name

If you’re a sole trader or partnership that uses a different trading name, you must display your own name (sole trader) or all the partners’ names (partnership) in a prominent position at all your business premises.

8.4 Business stationery

If you use a business name, you must include your own or the partners’ names in legible characters on:

• business letters
• written orders for goods or services to be supplied to the business
• business emails
• invoices and receipts issued in the course of the business
• written demands for payment of debts arising in the course of the business

You must also include an address in the UK to enable business documents to be served on the sole trader or any partner shown on business stationery.

9. Disclosure of LLP name and other specified information (trading disclosures)

Regulations made under the Companies Act 2006 require an LLP to display its name at its registered office and other places of business, on business documents and on websites. The purpose of the regulations is that the legal identity of every LLP should be revealed to anyone who have, or may wish to have, dealings with it.

The requirements are included in The Company, Limited Liability Partnership and Business (Names and Trading Disclosures) Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/17).

9.1 Displaying your LLP name

Every LLP, unless it has been continuously dormant since incorporation, must display a sign with its registered name at:

• its registered office
• any inspection place
• at any location at which it carries on business (unless it is primarily used for living accommodation) or if the LLP’s activities are likely to attract violent objections

It must also include its registered name in all business communications (hard copy and digital).

9.2 LLP name sign

You must display a sign with your LLP name:

• in characters that can be read with the naked eye
• in such a way that visitors to that office, place or location may easily see it at any time
• continuously, but if the location is shared by 6 or more LLPs , each such LLP must either display its registered name for at least 15 continuous seconds at least once in every 3 minutes, or make its registered name available for inspection on a register by any visitor

9.3 LLP name in communications

You must include your LLP’s registered name in all forms of business communications and documents whether in hard copy or digital.

This includes:

• business letters, notices and other official publications
• business emails
• bills of exchange, promissory notes, endorsements and order forms
• cheques purporting to be signed by or on behalf of the LLP
• orders for money, goods or services purporting to be signed by or on behalf of the LLP
• bills of parcels, invoices and other demands for payment, receipts and letters of credit
• all other forms of business correspondence and documentation

9.4 LLP name on websites

Every LLP must disclose its registered name on its websites, and on any part of a website relating to it which it has authorised. You don’t need to include the LLP name on every page, but it must be visible and easily read.

9.5 Exceptions to the requirement to display an LLP’s name

There are 2 exceptions:

1. An insolvent LLP (one which a liquidator, administrator, or administrative receiver has been appointed) is not required to display its registered name at any premises which are also the place of business of those insolvency specialists.
2. If every member of the LLP is one whose residential address cannot be disclosed by the registrar to a credit reference agency, then the LLP does not have to display its registered name at any place at which it carries on business. This exception does not extend to the LLP’s registered office or inspection place for the LLP’s records.

9.6 Additional information you must disclose

On all your business letters, business emails, order forms and websites, you must display:

• the part of the UK in which the LLP is registered (England and Wales, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland)
• the LLP’s registered number
• the address of the LLP’s registered office
• where the LLP name ends with the abbreviation LLP, llp, or the Welsh equivalent, the fact that it is a limited liability partnership or the Welsh equivalents

9.7 Information you must provide on request

If anyone with whom the LLP deals in the course of business makes a written request for:

• the address of its registered office
• the address of any place of inspection
• the type of LLP records kept at the registered office or inspection place

The LLP must provide the information in writing within 5 working days of the receipt of that request.

9.8  Displaying members’ names

If the LLP includes the name of any member on its business letters, other than in the body of the letter or as a signatory to it, it must include all the members’ names. It cannot be selective about which names to include.

However if the LLP has more than 20 members providing it keeps a list of all the members’ names at its principal place of business, and the document states that the list is available for inspection, it need not show the members’ names.

9.9 If the LLP is being wound up

If the LLP is being wound up, is in administration, receivership or a moratorium is in force in respect of its debts then every invoice, order for goods, business letter or order form (in hard copy, digital or any other form) must contain a statement that the LLP is being wound up.

9.10 Overseas LLPs and disclosures requirements that apply

An overseas LLP is a body incorporated or otherwise established outside the United Kingdom whose name under its law of incorporation, or establishment, includes (or when translated into English includes) the words “limited liability partnership” or the abbreviation “LLP” or “llp”.

An overseas LLP carrying on business in the UK must display the LLP’s name and the country in which it is incorporated, or otherwise established, at every location where it carries on business in the United Kingdom.

The overseas LLP must display its LLP name and country of incorporation:

• in characters that can be read with the naked eye
• in such a way that visitors to that office, place or location may easily see it
• so that it can be seen at any time (not only during business hours)
• continuously, but if the location is shared by 6 or more LLPs, each such name and country of incorporation must be displayed for at least 15 continuous seconds at least once in every 3 minutes, or be available for inspection on a register by any visitor

The overseas LLP must also state the LLP’s name and country of incorporation in all forms of business communications and documents, whether in hard copy or digital, including:

• business letters, notices and other official publications
• business emails
• bills of exchange of promissory notes, endorsements and order forms
• cheques purporting to be signed by or on behalf of the overseas LLP
• orders for money, goods or services purporting to be signed by or on behalf of the overseas LLP
• bills or parcels, invoices and other demands for payment, receipts and letters of credit
• applications for licenses to carry on trade or activity
• other forms of business correspondence and documentation
• its websites