Breaches of the law

Note: For information on investigations into companies that are actively trading, or which have ceased trading without entering into insolvency proceedings using powers under the Companies Acts see our pages on Company Investigations.

There are certain key breaches of the law that we are particularly interested in finding out about. These are:

Breach of company directors disqualification orders/undertakings

• For information on company directors disqualification see our page on The Law.
  
• Search the Companies House Register of Disqualified Directors for the complete register of disqualified directors.
   
• For information on how to complain about a director acting in breach of a disqualification order/undertaking see Complain about breaches of the law.
  

Re-use of prohibited names

• When a company goes into insolvent liquidation any person who was a director of the company in the 12 months before the liquidation is generally restricted from acting as a director of another company with the same or significantly similar name, (which is known as a prohibited name) without the permission of the court. Breach of that restriction may be a criminal offence.
  
• For information on how to complain about a director re-using a prohibited name see Complain about breaches of the law.
  

Breaches of a bankruptcy restrictions orders/undertakings/debt relief restrictions orders/undertakings

• For information on bankruptcy restrictions orders/undertakings or debt relief restrictions orders/undertakings see our pages on Personal insolvency.
  
• For information on restrictions search the Individual Insolvency Register.
  
• For information on how to complain about an individual breaching the terms of a bankruptcy restrictions order/undertaking or debt relief order/undertaking see How to complain about breach of restrictions
  

Undischarged bankrupts illegally acting in the management of a limited company

• It is illegal for an undischarged bankrupt to be concerned (directly or indirectly) in promoting, forming or managing a limited company, or acting as a company director, without the court’s permission, whether formally appointed as a director or not.
  
• For information on how to complain see How to complain about an undischarged bankrupt illegally acting in the management of a limited company. 
  

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