Company and LLP strike-off, dissolution and restoration

The registrar will only restore a company or limited liability partnership (LLP) in response to a court order, unless the business is administratively restored. For more information, see the page in this guide on administrative restoration to the register.

Who can apply?

Any of the following may make an application for a company or LLP to be restored to the register:

• any former director, member, creditor or liquidator
• anyone who had a contractual relationship with the business or a potential legal claim against it
• anyone who had an interest in land or property in which the business also had an interest
• any manager or trustee of a pension fund for employees of the business
• any other person who appears to the court to have an interest in the matter

Anyone intending to make an application is advised to get independent legal advice.

Other than in cases of personal injury, you must make the application within six years of the date of dissolution. Applications involving personal injury claims can be made at any time, but the court may not allow the application if the claim would fail because of legal time limits.

Where to apply

If you want to restore a business that was registered in Northern Ireland, you should serve the originating summons on both of the following:

The Registrar of Companies
Companies House
Second Floor
The Linenhall
32-38 Linenhall Street
Belfast
BT2 8BG

Royal Courts of Justice
Chichester Street
Belfast
BT1 3JY

The registrar will also require a copy of the witness statement in support of the application.

Serving documents

You should serve the claim form and supporting evidence on the registrar of companies, as follows.

England and Wales:
Registrar of Companies for England and Wales
Registration Customer Support
Companies House
Crown Way
Cardiff
CF14 3UZ

Scotland:
Registrar of Companies for Scotland
Companies House
4th Floor
Edinburgh Quay 2
139 Fountainbridge
Edinburgh
EH3 9FF

LP - 4 Edinburgh 2 (Legal Post) or
DX ED235 Edinburgh 1

Northern Ireland:
Registrar of Companies for Northern Ireland
Companies House
Second Floor
The Linenhall
32-38 Linenhall Street
Belfast
BT2 8BG

DX 481 N.R. Belfast 1

Documents can be delivered by post (recorded delivery is recommended) or by hand during normal office hours.

As well as the relevant registrar, you should also serve the claim form and supporting evidence on the solicitor dealing with any bona vacantia assets. For contact details, see the page in this guide on involuntary strike-off.