Welcome to the HeLP libary index, the quick way to access our help pages. Click on the links below to, or use the search box to quickly browse our website for 'keywords'

• apostille

  • This traditional term is internationally recognised as a means of verifying the authenticity of official documents. The most common reason for requiring apostille is that a non-UK bank demands proof of the validity of company documents when a client seeks to open a bank account.

• bank account

  • Duport assists many clients to set up their UK bank account. However, this service is designed for non-UK residents. If you are a resident of the United Kingdom, our services cannot improve on the ease with which you can open a bank account yourself just by visiting your local bank(s).

• company formation - charity

  • charity limited by guarantee has no shares or share capital, but the directors (trustees) commit to a prescribed limit of liability in event failure. each trustee declares commitment trust company form nominal financial commitment, payable winding up order creditors.

• examples for not-for-profit companies

  • The 'objects' (aims) of your organisation must be set out in a few brief statements.

• a fund raising venture

  • This is a typical example of an objects statement for a fund raising venture, not registered as a charity

• a music festival

  • This is a typical example of an objects statement for a music festival.

• housing or residents' association

  • This is a typical example of an objects statement for a housing or residents' association

• a political organaisation

  • This is a typical example of an objects statement for a sport club

• a sports club

  • This is a typical example of an objects statement for a sports club.

• examples for charities

  • The 'objects' (aims) of your organisation must be set out in a few brief statements.

• a counselling service

  • This is a typical example of an objects statement for a counselling service

• a disability support service

  • This is a typical example of an objects statement for a charity in support of people affected by a specific disabling condition.

• an awareness & fundraising campaign

  • This is a typical example of an objects statement for an awareness and fundraising campaign.

• an awareness & fundraising campaign

  • This is a typical example of an objects statement for an awareness and fundraising campaign.

• contents insurance

  • Combined Business Insurance includes standard contents cover, which means, your computer(s), your furniture, your stationery, your software; any improvements you have made to the property; the increased cost of working elsewhere while your premises are unusable; any number of small items that you take for granted until burglary, fire or other hazards deprive you of them.

• public liability insurance

  • Combined Business Insurance includes standard pubilic liability cover, which means, when you or your staff go about your business you make contact with the public and may be subject to potential damage claims.

• employer's liability

  • Combined Business Insurance includes standard employer's liability cover, which means, every employee has the potential right to claim against their employer.

• domain name

  • Everything on the Internet starts with a domain name (yourcompanyname.co.uk or yourcompanyname.com etc) which works like an electronic postbox number. The domain name is stored on a “name server”, which is a computer permanently attached to the internet.

• domain linked web page

  • When you own a domain name you do not automatically have anything visible on the Internet. If you wish to advertise or trade on the web you ideally need a website.

• how long does it take to form a limited company ?

  • We usually communicate electronically with Companies House and form new companies in 1-2 working days.

• can my home address be my registered office address ?

  • Yes this is quite normal with new companies.

• Is there any more to pay for this service ?

  • No you do not need to buy anything else from us.

• what should I do with the documents?

  • When your company has been incorporated we will send you several important documents which you will need.

• must I register for VAT?

  • If your company turnover exceeds the VAT registration threshold (currently £56,000) you must register.

• why should I form a limited company ?

  • To limit the risks to your home and your other assets. There are other reasons for forming a company, but ‘limited liability’ is the most important one.

• how old does a director have to be ?

  • At least 16 years for companies registered in Scotland.

• is there a limit to the number of directors ?

  • No,

• why doesn't this cost more ?

  • Because we believe it's a fair price and we use technology to keep our systems fast and efficient - try us out and tell your friends.

• what if my company does not trade for several months? (dormant companies)

  • You are allowed to form a UK company and keep it "dormant" for months, or even years.
    

• why form a guarantee company?

  • By definition, a company (or charity) limited by guarantee does not make profits. However, it provides the same kind of limited liability protection as for a normal “company limited by shares”.

• what happens about shares?

  • There are no Shares in a company limited by guarantee.

• what is a trustee?

  • The words Trustee and Director are interchangeable in this context.

• what are the liabilities of a trustee?

  • Trustee has the same responsibilities as a Director in a normal “company limited by shares”.

• how many trustees are required?

  • The absolute minimum is two but, bearing in mind the ‘one person one vote’ rule in companies limited by guarantee, it is considered appropriate to work with a minimum of three Trustees.

• can I be a trustee or director of more than one company?

  • Yes. You may be a Director and/or Trustee of a number of companies, including companies limited by shares and/or companies limited by guarantee.

• can I earn money as a trustee or director of a ‘guarantee’ company?

  • No Trustee/Director of a company (or charity) limited by guarantee may be an employee of that company or earn a wage or salary from it.

• how can I register as a charity?

  • Charities are subject to regulation by the Charity Commission, which ensures that no organisation is allowed to operate as a charity unless it abides by the relevant laws and provisions.

• do I have to send reports and accounts to companies House?

  • Yes. Companies limited by guarantee are subject to the same filing rules as other companies. This includes the need to submit an Annual Return and Accounts

• do I need an accountant?

  • Almost certainly, yes. If the amount of money passing through the company is large enough to be taxed (i.e. greater than £10,000 per year) it is usually best to employ the services of an Accountant

• can I be exempted from using the word 'limited' in the company name?

  • In certain circumstances it is possible to obtain exemption for using the word “limited” in the company name when the company is registered as a charity.

• should I protect my company name on the Internet?

  • Yes. This really is important, you need not use our company to do this, if you want to look elsewhere please do so. But take our advice and protect your company name now.

• what is an Internet domain name?

  • If you want people to phone you, then you need a unique number, if you want people to write to you then you need a unique address.

• can I really make money by being on the Internet?

  • Yes, yes, yes. But remember that the Internet is only another sales and marketing channel for most companies.

• what has the Duport experience been of trading the Internet?

  • Duport Associates is one of a new breed of companies that only trade on the Internet.

• why should I use your service?

  • Duport Associates has been through the Internet hoop many times, we understand what your experience is likely to be.

• forms handling

  • Companies House require you to complete a number of forms to appoint officers, allot shares and so on.

• frontpage extensions

  • Microsoft Frontpage is a program for creating websites but, unlike many other web-editing programs, it has a lot of hidden features that demand extra technical support from the web server.

• good standing certificate

  • A 'Good Standing Certificate' is supplied by Companies House to confirm that the company mentioned on the Certificate has filed all necessary documents and forms to meet legal disclosure requirements.

• company formation limited by guarantee

  • A company limited by guarantee does not have shares, but each Trustee (Director) agrees to 'guarantee' the company by committing to a nominal sum for which they would become liable in the event of the company being liquidated. The company must be a not-for-profit organisation. This type of company is used for all kinds of not-for-profit venture.

• incorporation certificate (certified copy

  • An original incorporation certificate is provided in the company formation pack we supply when your new company is formed.

• the companies act 1985 to 1989

  • The Companies Act 1985 to 1989Private Company Limited by Shares Regulations for management of a company limited by shares

• private company limited by shares

  • This is the legal description of the majority of UK limited companies.

• memorandum & articles (extra copies)

  • The Memorandum & Articles of Association are fundamental documents for your company’s constitution and we provide two copies of each in your formation pack.

• first & second board minutes

  • Your new company is required to have a 'constitution' accepted by the 'board of directors'. When you receive your company formation pack we will have completed the registration procedures, but you need to take the next formal steps.

• name change

  • Your company’s details are filed at Companies House under the incorporation number, which never changes once your company has been registered.

• name plate brass

  • Every company is required to display the company name outside the Registered Office.

• ready made companies with special names

  • These companies are already formed your company as a Private UK Company Limited by shares - All you have to do is buy it.

• notarisation

  • British legal documents may not be automatically accepted by every authority – especially in overseas countries. Some authorities may require documents to be apostilled. Others may also require the documents to be notarised.

• employee benefit trusts

  • Money can be added to an offshore trust for the benefit of a company’s employees.

• employment companies

  • An offshore company can be used as an entity in which to employ internationally mobile workers and as a point through which employees of other group companies can be seconded through.

• holding company

  • An offshore company can be used to hold investments and/ or shares in other companies.

• intellectual property rights

  • Franchising and Licensing, an offshore company can franchise or license intellectual property rights in other foreign countries allowing profits to accumulate in the offshore company.

• offshore trust gains

  • A trust can be used in order to defer a UK capital gains tax charge on the sale of an asset.

• offshore trust gains continued

  • Isle of Man Exempt companies are available to non-Manx residents and are excellent vehicles through which international trade can be conducted or for the purpose of holding assets.

• personal services companies

  • This type of company can be used by an individual engaged in the businesses of computer, aviation, film or the entertainment industry.

• real estate

  • An offshore company can be used for holding land and buildings for the purpose of development and or generating rental income or realising capital gains.

• real estate

  • A company can be used for holding UK land and buildings for the purpose of development and or generating rental income or realising capital gains.

• trading company

  • Depending on the jurisdiction and other matters, goods can be purchased centrally by an offshore company, which then sells them at a mark up which can be retained in the company free of tax.

• VAT

  • The Isle of Man operates a VAT system that is applied in an identical manner to that used in the UK. it is administered by Manx Customs & Excise.

• yacht registration

  • An offshore company can smooth the financial waves for yacht owners. This is how it works:

• outlook express tutorial

  • The object of making these changes is to show your "alias" identity to people who you contact by email.

• personal control panel

  • With a Personal Control Panel you gain greater control over your webspace and emails.

• statutory register book

  • Every company is obliged to maintain a Register of Officers, Members and Minutes. The law is not totally specific about the format of the Register but it must contain all the legally required information in a manner that can be inspected by appropriate authorities.

• registered office service

  • Your Registered Office is the legal address of the business (not necessarily its trading address) at which Companies House, the Inland Revenue and legal authorities can serve official documents and assume that they have been received by the Company Directors.

• 'ready made' company names

  • Our 'ready made' companies are pre-formed with names of our choice and you may trade in that name, if you wish. However, if you really want a different name you would be better to have a new company formed in the name you want.

• company seal

  • Your company's Articles of Association include a paragraph, headed, THE SEAL, which sets out the rules for use of the Company Seal. The Seal is a well established method of officially authenticating documents, contracts etc issued in the name of a registered company.

• company secretary service

  • The Company Secretary is one of the two officers that every company must have to fulfil the basic requirements of UK Company Law.

• secure server

  • If you run a ‘shopping cart’ or similar confidential application on your website you need to run it on a server which is installed with stronger security features.

• sensitive words

  • Sensitive words may require approval before they can be used in your Company name. The following list is reasonably comprehensive (common examples highlighted). New words are added from time to time.

• share certificate

  • Share Certificates are important for the individual shareholder rather than the company.

• share transfer form

  • Transfer forms covering the original transfer of the two original shares are provided in your company formation pack. These are a particular type of form that can only be used for a newly formed company.

• site statistics

  • Like any marketing activity, you want to know what effect you are getting from your time and expenditure.

• spam filter

  • One of the scourges of the Internet is the high volume of unsolicited email (popularly known as ‘spam’). It can be a tiresome time-waster and can often be the bearer of computer viruses.

• trade forwarding levels and prices

  • Duport Associates’ Trade Forwarding service is described in detail in our service contract description. For details click here.

• trade forwarding service

  • Duport Associates Limited offers a Trade Forwarding service for solicited non-official mail of a commercial nature.

• translated memorandum & articles

  • Some overseas authorities (and banks) require you to provide a copy of your company’s Memorandum & Articles of Association in their own language.

• email virus checking

  • Viruses are an uncomfortable fact of life on the Internet and many people’s computers receive their infections from emails.

• basic web hosting

  • Duport’s web hosting package provides up to 200mb of webspace, plus ‘Pop3’ email addresses and additional email forwarding.

• written resolution

  • For various reasons you may wish some time to change elements of your company’s constitution. The legal way to formalise such changes is by Written Resolution, with a signed copy formally filed at Companies House.