Reusing a company name after liquidation is possible, but it depends on the type of liquidation and restrictions from The Insolvency Act. If your company was solvent and closed through a Members’ Voluntary Liquidation (MVL), you can usually reuse the name without restriction. Following an insolvent liquidation, such as a Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation (CVL) or compulsory liquidation, it’s still possible to reuse the company name, provided the legal conditions under the Insolvency Act are met.

The reuse of a company name can be a complicated issue. We can provide you with free, confidential advice on this issue and can advise on your unique circumstances.

When can’t you reuse a company name after liquidation?

For the same name to be considered as prohibited, it must have been associated with the insolvent company for at least 12 months prior to liquidation. If you have liquidated a company, you cannot carry out any of the following for five years after the liquidation of said company:

• Act as director of a company with a prohibited name
  You cannot hold a directorship of a company that trades under a name that has been prohibited by Section 216.
• Promoting a prohibited company name
  You cannot be involved in the promotion, formation, or management of a company with a prohibited name.
• Continuing the company name
  You cannot be involved in the carrying on of a business which has a prohibited name.

What are the potential consequences of reusing a prohibited company name?

If you act in contradiction of Section 216 of the Insolvency Act and reuse a company name after liquidation without the required permissions, you could face penalties, including fines, director disqualification, imprisonment and the loss of limited liability.

What are the exceptions that may allow you to reuse a company name?

Certain exceptions can allow a new company to use the same name as a previous company that has been liquidated within the last five years.

• Purchase the business’s trading name
  During the liquidation of an insolvent company, in some circumstances, you have the option of purchasing the entirety or part of the business of the company that is being liquidated under arrangements made by the insolvency practitioner. This purchase can also include the trading name and the right to use it. Notices must be sent to all creditors of the insolvent company within 28 days of the date of acquisition and it must also be published in the London Gazette.
• Apply to court
  You can apply to the courts within seven days of the date of the liquidation of your company to keep its name. You can then use it for up to six weeks or until a court decision is made. However, in this period they may decide to not rule in your favour.
• Name already in use by another company/group of companies
  Some companies are formed in groups and can have the same or a similar name. If one of these companies enters liquidation, an exception can be made to retain the liquidated company’s trading name so as not to affect the related companies. However, relevant criteria must be met:
  • The prohibited name must have been used by a company for the period of at least 12 months prior, ending the day before the liquidation of the insolvent company.
  • During those 12 months, the relevant companies must have traded continuously and not been dormant for any period.

How our services can help you

If your company is facing financial difficulty and you are considering the liquidation of your company, we can help you understand the processes available and the reuse of a company name post-liquidation.

• Close your company down via a Creditors Voluntary Liquidation (CVL)

  A CVL is a liquidation procedure for companies that are insolvent. The process will formally close and liquidate your company, ceasing its trading operations, realising any assets, and removing the threat of creditor legal action. If your company has employees, they can claim for redundancy and other statutory entitlements through the government’s Redundancy Payment Service (RPS). The process is final and irreversible. Once completed, your company’s unsecured debt will be written off and the company is dissolved, allowing you, the director, to move on.

  More on Creditors Voluntary Liquidation

• Close your company down and start again via a pre-pack liquidation

  A pre-pack liquidation is a type of CVL where the sale of your company’s assets is arranged before liquidation, allowing business operations to continue seamlessly under the purchasing company. The company name may be reused, and employees can transfer under TUPE. Contracts and essential agreements can also be included as part of a sale, ensuring minimal disruption to your business operations. This process eliminates the unsecured debts of your previous company, providing a fresh start free from previous unsecured liabilities.

  More on pre-pack liquidation

How to get in touch with us: The next steps

1. Speak with our initial advisers
   Make contact with our team, via phone, filling in a form, or online chat. We will assess your circumstances and, if suitable, arrange a free consultation with a consultant to discuss your company’s situation.
2. Initial assessment
   During the consultation, we will advise if an insolvency procedure is the most appropriate route forward or whether alternative solutions better suit your company’s problems
3. Formally engage with Wilson Field
   If there is an appropriate insolvency solution, we will confirm the necessary steps to start the procedure and will issue you with the relevant documentation for you to formally engage us.

In summary

The reuse of a limited company name after an insolvent liquidation is prohibited under Section 216 of the Insolvency Act. There are exceptions which can be made, but this is dependent on your company’s circumstances. We will be able to advise you on your specific situation and the reuse of a company name.

Case Studies

Oldham Precision

Kelly Burton • Construction & Engineering • Administration

Machining engineers Oldham Precision has been bought out of administration saving all 12 jobs.

The company’s principal activity was the sub-contracting manufacture of large volume batch precision machined components for clients across a wide range of industries including aerospace, paper converting, printing, coatings, electronics and valve construction.

Administrators Kelly Burton and Lisa Hogg from Sheffield business turnaround experts Wilson Field were appointed joint administrators on 17 January after the company suffered cash flow problems.

Originally established in 1982, the company, based at Red Rose Business Park on Shaw Rd in Royton, offered subcontract engineering including CNC milling, grinding and turning.

After advice from Wilson Field, the business was sold to the existing management team as a going concern saving all 12 employees’ jobs.

Kelly Burton, director in the Leeds office at Wilson Field said;

“Following discussions with the director, the business was sold as a going concern, safeguarding all 12 employees’ jobs and offering a better return for the company’s creditors than alternative options.

“The new company will be under the same management offering the same standards of service to its customers.”

Catering Butchers

Kelly Burton • Leisure & Hospitality • Administration

A previously successful, family-owned and managed catering butchers saw its turnover eradicated by the Covid 19 outbreak.

Following a review of all the options with the team at Wilson Field, the directors decided to appoint WF as Administrators.

Kelly Burton, director and insolvency practitioner at Wilson Field added:

“Like many over the pandemic, unfortunately there were some difficulties encountered as the business struggled to keep up its strong sales. However, we are continuing ro release the assets for the benefit of the creditors.”

Due to a lack of funding, the business unfortunately ceased to trade, however, the Administrators have managed to secure the debtor ledger and a sale of the remaining tangible assets, for the benefit of creditors.

Principal Packaging Ltd

Kelly Burton • Service Agency • Administration

Sheffield administrators Wilson Field has helped save all 14 jobs at a Lancashire packaging supplier and manufacturer after it was bought out of administration.

Administrators Kelly Burton and Joanne Wright from business turnaround experts Wilson Field were appointed joint administrators on 17 February after Principal Packaging Ltd suffered cash flow problems.

The company, based at Pit Hey Place in Skelmersdale, was one of the main independent providers of quality packaging for the retail food industry, and major food and dairy suppliers.

Directors Tracy and Richard Sharratt took early advice and the business was sold to new company Surepac Ltd as a going concern saving all 14 employees’ jobs.

Kelly Burton from Wilson Field said:

“Historically, the company offered a holding service to its customers. This meant that it held a significant amount of stock at any one time, which tied up a substantial amount of cash.

“This created cash flow problems and was exacerbated in the early part of 2016 when the amount available on the company’s funding facility was reduced.

“Directors took early advice from Wilson Field with the business sold to Surepac Ltd as a going concern, safeguarding all 14 employees’ jobs. The new company will offer the same service and standards and will operate under the same management team”.

Principal Packaging, started in 2006, served packaging needs for meat, fish, horticulture and poultry sectors throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland and traded successfully in the early years.

It gained a reputation for being one of the most professional, yet affordable, companies in a competitive market with its high-quality paper, plastic or board packaging, custom print services and high customer service levels.

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