Part 1: Companies House Reform Company names Section 22: Company names: exceptions based on national security etc
This section adds new section 76E to Part 4 of the Companies Act 2006 which is concerned with company names. The purpose of section 76E is to disapply various prohibitions and restrictions on the use of certain words and expressions in a company’s name provided under Part 5 and related regulations. Such exemptions will only be permitted where the Secretary of State is satisfied there is a case for them on grounds of national security or to prevent or detect serious crime. Serious crime is that which constitutes a criminal offence in the UK (or would do so if committed in the UK) either carrying a prison sentence of three years or more or involving violence, substantial financial gain or the concerted action of a substantial group of people with a common purpose.