Part 1: Companies House Reform Identity verification Section 66: Authorisation of corporate service providers
This section inserts sections 1098A to 1098H (authorised corporate service providers) into the Companies Act 2006. These provisions set out the definition of an authorised corporate service provider and how they will interact with the Registrar.
	There is currently no legal requirement for individuals supplying documents to the Registrar to confirm who they are and that they have been authorised to act on behalf of their clients. This section introduces new requirements for those corporate service providers wishing to file documents on behalf of corporate clients with the Registrar to be authorised to do so.
	This section also amends section 1087 to clarify that documents delivered to the Registrar under sections 1098B, 1098D, 1098E and regulations made under section 1098G are not available for public inspection. This ensures that authorised corporate service provider applications remain private between the applicant and the Registrar and that personal data is suitably protected.
	Section 1098A defines an "authorised corporate service provider" and section 1098B provides for who can apply to become one and the information the application must contain. Crucially under s1098B(5), the Registrar must refuse the application if it appears to the Registrar that the application it not a fit and proper person to carry out the functions of an authorised corporate service provider. Section 1098C prescribes the required information about an applicant and section 1098D prescribes who can make an application on behalf of a firm.
	To obtain authorised corporate service provider status, an applicant must (in the case of an individual) have their identity verified and must be a "relevant person" for anti-money laundering purposes. The applicant must also meet any other requirements imposed by regulations made by the Secretary of State. If the application is made by a firm rather than an individual, the application must be delivered to the Registrar on the firm’s behalf by a "relevant officer" and must include a statement by the individual confirming their status as the firm’s relevant officer. Section 1098D sets out who the relevant officer is depending on the type of firm.
	Section 1098E makes it an offence for an authorised corporate service provider without reasonable excuse to fail to update the Registrar of changes to their supervisory authority under the Money Laundering Regulations within 14 days beginning with the date when the change occurred. This is so that they cannot act as an authorised corporate service provider when they do not have a supervisory authority.
	Section 1098F states that a person ceases to be an authorised corporate service provider if they cease to be a relevant person as defined in the Money Laundering Regulations. The Secretary of State may also by regulations made under section 1098F(2) provide other circumstances in which an authorised corporate service provider’s authorisation ceases or is suspended, including conferring a discretion on the Registrar. These regulations can further include provisions about procedure, the period of suspension and the revocation of a suspension and confer.
	Section 1098G confers a power on the Secretary of State to make regulations which impose duties on authorised corporate service providers to provide information to the Registrar in accordance with regulations. These regulations may include requiring information on request, on the occurrence of an event or at regular intervals. Section 1098G(3) states that the circumstances in regulations made under section 1098F(2) to cease or suspend an authorised corporate service provider’s status can include not complying with these information provision duties. Section 1098G(4) states that the information provision regulations made under section 1098G(4) can also create offences in relation to compliance with these regulations and section 1098G(5) sets out the maximum available sentences.
	Section 1098H contains a power for the Secretary of State to make regulations which would enable a person subject to money laundering regimes abroad to become authorised corporate service providers.