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  1. E-quick package
  2. Economy package
  3. Premier package
  4. Deluxe package
If you are thinking about setting up a business, and need it done quickly and easily with no additional requirements, then this package is the perfect choice.
This package is a cheap and efficient way to begin business, and includes the provision of a registered office address in London for the duration of one year.
This package is a not expensive and efficient way to begin business, and includes the provision of a registered office address in London and a nominee secretary for the duration of one year.
This package is one of the most cost effective and the efficient way to start a UK company, which includes a registered office address in London, a nominee secretary, and a nominee director for the duration of one year.
E-quick*
£32.00
Economy
£82.00
Premier
£207.00
Deluxe
£557.00
Private company limited by shares
No Annual Charges
Private company limited by shares
Annual Fee From: £50.00
Private company limited by shares
Annual Fee From: £175.00
Private company limited by shares
Annual Fee From: £525.00
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Further information

Private Company Limited by Shares:

  • A private company limited by shares in England and Wales must have at least one director, one shareholder, and may have a secretary.

  • You need at least one person to form this type of company. If there is only one director, and that director is a natural person in your company, that director can also act as the secretary.

  • A company must have at least one director who is a natural person. This requirement is met if the office of director is held by a natural person as a corporation sole or otherwise by virtue of an office.

  • You can register a sole director' company, if you are familiar with the secretaries duties and responsibilities, because all of them belongs to a sole director.

  • The directors and secretary of your company can also be shareholders.

  • The Companies Act imposes no restriction on the minimum age of company directors. However Companies House will actively discourage the appointment of anyone under the age of 16 from taking up a company directorship on the grounds that the individuals concerned may not fully understand the legal liabilities that go with the position and for the most part will not have the experience necessary to perform the duties of a company director.

  • Under the Companies Act 2006, there is no restriction on any or all of the members/shareholders being from an overseas country (i.e. outside the United Kingdom in terms of residency, domicile, citizenship, place of incorporation or all or any of those concepts).

  • There is no requirement for the officers of your company to be UK citizens or residents, nor for them to hold valid work permits.

  • Owning, or being an officer of a UK company does not, however, grant you any right to live or work in the UK if you are a foreign national.

  • Your company must have a registered office address within England or Wales; this is the official address of your company and will be on the public record as such.

  • Your company must hold its official company documents at its registered office address: its register of shareholders, and its constitutional documents.

  • So long as you maintain a registered office address in England or Wales, you can conduct your business from any place in the world: you do not have to run your business from your registered office address.

  • Coddan offers company formation, ready-made company registration for UK limited companies. We offer electronic filing enterprises & registering corporation services. In addition to business registrations, we offer trademark registration, shareholder agreements, toll-free numbers, telephone answering, virtual office and company searches for UK limited companies. You are an accountant for whom company establishment is a frequent activity or an individual ordering your first company registrations. Start a company by incorporating or forming a LTD, PLC or LLP at Coddan. Learn about incorporation & how to incorporate your business online: register a business name, company registration, business registration numbers, company house web filing - business name registration check. Whether you start-up online, register London business or form a corporation Scotland, we can help you understand the business start-up process for filing LTD United Kingdom.
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    Incorporate or form an LLC – online: company registrar United Kingdom, limited company formations & corporation registration, electronically LLC online, very easy and informative. In addition to private companies Great Britain, we offer trademark registration, shareholder agreements, 0870 numbers, telephone answering, virtual office and company searches for English companies. Information to help start, grow or manage a small business. If you are starting a business Edinburgh or starting own business Northern Ireland, read our starting business Republic of Ireland guide. Home business and small business training and ideas site to help you start Belfast, grow, and expand a home-based business or search for the work at home job right. An outline of the general steps for incorporation in Great Britain, explaining how to incorporate your business Dublin, from choosing where to incorporate your business. UK ready-made company formation services and company registrations online, our offices keep a stock of ready made companies, and would be happy to supply details on request. We offer offshore ready-made companies in different jurisdictions, readymade offshore companies also called as offshore shelf companies, shelf off-shore companies for sale: starting applying for a business name, business name registration partnership, grants for starting a business and starting a business from home.
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    Open company same-day and offshore setting-up services using our online starting-up service for Limited Liability Company Offshore companies. Start enjoying the tax benefits and personal liability protection that forming a corporation or Limited Liability Company (LLC) provides. Offshore company incorporation, offshore checking and offshore saving accounts, offshore time deposits, offshore mutual funds, offshore money market accounts and offshore asset protection provided by Coddan. Company formations, limited company formations, electronic incorporations, company formation agents, paperless company registrar, electronic companies filing, United Kingdom limited company, setting corporation Ireland, business incorporation Scotland, open company England, London company registration, electronic companies filing, British companies registrars, business consultants, company law, public limited company, plc, international companies, ltd, inc, limited liability, enterprise, organization, organization, tax, taxation, England, firm, partnership, trade, profession, contractors, business, private limited company, limited by shares, ready-made companies, readymade company, aged company, off the shelf company, shelf companies list.
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    Specializes in company registration and secretarial services. Provides list of shelf company, services and cost quotation, business name registration, company house direct, starting a business - sole trader business registration.

    This is actually a pretty good reason to incorporate in Delaware or Nevada. In fact, you could be a foreigner from Lebanon, never setting foot on American soil, form a Delaware corporation and no one would know who you are! However, many states will require the owners and/or officers and/or directors information while operating in that state (as a foreign corp.). Besides, how many small businesses require anonymity? Incorporate, incorporation, incorporating, incorporation services, incorporating services, incorporate Wyoming business online, incorporating Oregon business, New York LLC formation, Louisiana limited liability corporation, Texas articles of incorporation, Florida company incorporation, California non profit corporation, corporate name search offshore, BVI corporate name availability, Seychelles corporate name registration.
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    Learn about incorporation services UK and incorporate London online: starting your own business, business ideas, starting a business on ebay or buying a business with legal requirements for starting a business. Online England company formations, online company London W1 formation, Glasgow formation agent, Liverpool formations agent, Scottish companies house, forming a company Scotland, starting a business Wales, form a limited company Oxford, United Kingdom business registration agents, online Great Britain company registration. E-Business, small business, business structures defined: the limited liability company business structures defined: the limited liability company IRS treatment of the one-member LLC. An LLC with only one member / owner is automatically considered to be a sole proprietorship unless an election is made to be treated as a corporation. Thus, the sole member of an LLC will file (Form 1040), (U.S. Individual Income Tax Return), ideas for starting a business, grants for starting a business, starting a business from home, starting your own business - business ideas, starting a business on ebay, buying a business: legal requirements for starting a business, ideas for starting a business.
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    A business may be conducted by a company as an entity in its own right and comes into existence by incorporation under companies legislation which also regulates the running of the company and sets out the duties of its officers. In recent years trading trusts have been commonly used as the structure for carrying on a business with their main objective of tax minimization. A trust requires a trustee to act on behalf of a trust and it has been preferable to have a company newly incorporated to act as the trustee as it is believed that this limits the liability of the trust to the paid-up capital of the Trustee Company. A trust is formed by a gift or settlement being made to the trustee on behalf of the, as yet unformed, trust. A solicitor draws up a Trust Deed setting out the powers and formalizing the administration of the trust. The trust has beneficiaries rather than shareholders as in a company, who are entitled to distributions of capital and/or income and these distributions, are controlled by the trustee.
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    The distribution made to beneficiaries are subject to income tax as part of their personal income and are liable for provisional tax on these distributions. Citizens and residents of other countries may incorporate in the United Kingdom through the standard incorporation procedures set forth by each state. Provides UK company formations, trademark registration, registered office facilities and company secretary services. Professional company formation, register your company online, we may establish new business at one day. An online guide to starting up and expanding your business.
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    This is one of our most popular packages with worldwide customers, and includes: -

  • EQUICK-4 zvezdy :-****
  • Pomeniat' sro4no. Eto economy4 zvezdy. -

  • ECooonooomyy-4 zvezdy :-****
  • Premier blablabla 4 zvezdy. -

  • premier-4 zvezdy;)
  • Our Deluxe package is a fast and easy option, it is ideal for the UK, EU, and international small to medium businesses who wish to appoint a nominee director and a nominee secretary in order to maintain the anonymity of the real owner, and it includes: -

  • Incorporation of your company from scratch using one of our registered office addresses in London, our nominee director and nominee secretary. We can appoint your own candidate(s) to the role of shareholder(s), or you can appoint a nominee sharholder provided by Coddan;
  • The standard capital on formation is £1.00, this is divided into 1.00 ordinary share valued at £1.00 (a minimum of one share must be issued);
  • The formation of a limited company usually takes as little as four to six hours from the time that your application and payment are received by Coddan;
  • The government fee for incorporation is included in the price of this package;
    • The provision of a registered office address for 12 months is included in the price of this package (our registered office address service is charged annually);
    • The provision of a nominee secretary for 12 months is included in the price of this package (our nominee secretary service is charged annually);
    • The provision of a nominee director for 12 months is also included in the price of this package (our nominee director service is charged annually);

    The following two hard bound copies of corporate documents, will be send by post to you upon formation of your private limited company: -

  • A laminated copy of the certificate of incorporation of your company;
  • A hard bound copy of the memorandum and articles of association;
  • A hard bound copy of the minutes of the first meeting of directors;
  • Share certificates, and your company register;
  • The general power of attorney signed by a nominee director;
  • Pre-signed, undated resignation letter from a nominee director;
  • The agreement for the provision of nominee service and indemnification of nominee.
  • 2 zdezda deluxe. -

  • 2 zdezda deluxe)
  • 3 zdezda deluxe. -

  • 3 zdezda deluxe
  • 4 zdezda deluxe -

  • 4444444
  • This is our most popular package with the UK residents, and includes: -

  • The registration of your company from scratch using your own registered office address, and appoint your own candidates to the roles of director, secretary (if needed), and shareholder;
  • The standard capital on formation is £1.00, this is divided into 1.00 ordinary share valued at £1.00 (a minimum of one share must be issued);
  • The formation of a limited company usually takes as little as four to six hours from the time that your application and payment are received by Coddan;
  • The government fee for incorporation is included in the price of this package;
  • The following documents, which need to be printed and signed, will be e-mailed to you upon formation of your company: -

  • A certificate of incorporation (requires PDF file reader);
  • The memorandum & articles of association (requires PDF file reader);
  • The first meeting of the board of directors (requires PDF file reader);
  • Share certificates and a company register (requires PDF file reader).
  • *If you do not have an a valid address in the UK, which can be used as the registered office address for your company, please check our Economy package. The non-UK address cannot be acceptable as the office address for the UK company.

    This is our most popular package with the UK and EU residents, and includes: -

  • The registration your company from scratch using one of our registered office addresses, and appoint your own candidates to the roles of director, secretary (if needed), and shareholder;
  • The standard capital on formation is £1.00, this is divided into 1.00 ordinary share valued at £1.00 (a minimum of one share must be issued);
  • The formation of a limited company usually takes as little as four to six hours from the time that your application and payment are received by Coddan;
  • The government fee for incorporation is included in the price of this package;
    • The provision of a registered office address for 12 months is also included in the price of this package (our registered office address service is charged annually);

    The following documents, which need to be printed and signed, will be e-mailed to you upon formation of your company: -

  • A certificate of incorporation (requires PDF file reader);
  • The memorandum & articles of association (requires PDF file reader);
  • The first meeting of the board of directors (requires PDF file reader);
  • Share certificates and a company register (requires PDF file reader).
  • This is another one very popular package with worldwide customers, and includes: -

  • The formation of a company limited by guarantee usually takes as little as five to seven working days from the time that your application and payment are received by Coddan;
  • The incorporation your BVI company limited by guarantee from scratch using our registered agent & registered office address, and appoint your own candidate to the role of a members;
  • The government and initiation fees for incorporation are included in the price of this package;
  • The search for a company name availability, confirmation, and reservation;
  • An original certificate of incorporation
  • A hard bound copy of the memorandum & articles of association
  • The preparation and submission of the memorandum and articles of association;
  • A local registered office address and a local registered agent for 12 months are included in the price of this package (our registered agent & office address service are charged annually);
  • The provision of a nominee director for one year is also included in the price of this package (our nominee director service is charged annually);

  • To receive an original of the certificate of incorporation from the Companies Registrar usually takes as little as two to three days from the time of incorporation.
  • The following hard bound copy of corporate documents, will be posted to you upon formation of your company limited by guarantee: -

  • An original certificate of incorporation;
  • A hard bound copy of the memorandum and articles of association;
  • The minutes of the first meeting of the board of directors;
  • A completed register of directors and members;
  • An elegant printed membership certificates;
  • A pliers seal.
  • The general power of attorney signed by a nominee director (additional fee applies);
  • Pre-signed, undated resignation letter from a nominee director;
  • The agreement for the provision of a nominee service and indemnification of nominee.
  • This is our most popular package with international customers, and includes: -

  • The formation of a company limited by guarantee usually takes as little as five to seven working days from the time that your application and payment are received by Coddan;
  • The registration your BVI company limited by guarantee from scratch using our registered agent & registered office address, and appoint our own candidates to the role of a nominee director and a nominee member;
  • The government and initiation fees for incorporation are included in the price of this package;
  • The search for a company name availability, confirmation, and reservation;
  • The preparation and submission of the memorandum and articles of association;
  • A local registered office address and a local registered agent for one year are included in the price of this package (our registered agent & office address service are charged annually);
  • The provision of a nominee director for 12 months is included in the price of this package (our nominee director service is charged annually);
  • A completed register of directors and members
  • The provision of a nominee member for 12 months is also included in the price of this package (our nominee member service is charged annually);

  • To receive an original of the certificate of incorporation from the Companies Registrar usually takes as little as two to three days from the time of incorporation.
  • The following hard bound copy of corporate documents, will be posted to you upon formation of your company limited by guarantee: -

  • An original certificate of incorporation;
  • A hard bound copy of the memorandum and articles of association;
  • The minutes of the first meeting of the board of directors;
  • A completed register of directors and members;
  • An elegant printed membership certificates;
  • A pliers seal.
  • Pre-signed, undated letters of resignation from a nominee director and a nominee member;
  • A general power of attorney signed by a nominee director (additional fee applies);
  • A declaration of trust from a nominee member;
  • An indemnity letter for the power of attorney;
  • A nominee agreement which provides for the indemnification of the nominees.
  • This is another one of our most popular packages for small and medium size businesses, such as those being run by a sole director from home, and for companies owned by overseas residents who still need a local registered office address, but would rather not open a local office in the UK;

    This package is often chosen by such customers, who are looking to minimise a sole director' personal liability (and who are not quite familiar with the UK corporate legislation), because this package includes thye provision of a nominee secretary for 12 months. This package is also includes: -

  • The registration your company from scratch using one of our registered office addresses, and appoint your own candidates to the roles of director, and shareholder;
  • The standard capital on formation is £1.00, this is divided into 1.00 ordinary share valued at £1.00 (a minimum of one share must be issued);
  • The formation of a limited company usually takes as little as four to six hours from the time that your application and payment are received by Coddan;
  • The government fee for incorporation is included in the price of this package;
    • The provision of a registered office address for 12 months is included in the price of this package (our registered office address service is charged annually);
    • The provision of a nominee secretary for 12 months is also included in the price of this package (our nominee secretary service is charged annually);

    The following hard bound copy of the corporate documents, will be send by post to you, upon formation of your private limited company: -

  • A laminated copy of the certificate of incorporation of your company;
  • A hard bound copy of the memorandum and articles of association;
  • A hard bound copy of the minutes of the first meeting of directors;
  • Share certificates, and your company register.
  • This is another one very popular package with worldwide customers, and includes: -

  • The formation of a limited partnership usually takes as little as five to seven working days from the time that your application and payment are received by Coddan;
  • The incorporation your BVI offshore limited partnership from scratch using our registered agent & registered office address, and appoint your own candidate to the role of a general partner;
  • The government and initiation fees for registration are included in the price of this package;
  • The search for a limited partnership name availability, confirmation, and reservation;
  • The preparation and submission of the partnership agreement;
  • A local registered office address and a local registered agent for 12 months are included in the price of this package (our registered agent & office address service are charged annually);
  • The provision of a nominee limited partner for one year is also included in the price of this package (our nominee limited partner service is charged annually);

  • To receive an original of the certificate of incorporation from the Companies Registrar usually takes as little as two to three days from the time of incorporation.
  • The following hard bound copy of corporate documents, will be posted to you upon formation of your offshore company: -

  • An original certificate of incorporation;
  • A hard bound copy of the partnership agreement;
  • The minutes of the first meeting of the board of partners;
  • A completed register of partners;
  • An elegant printed membership certificates;
  • A pliers seal;
  • The general power of attorney signed by a nominee limited partner (additional fee applies);
  • Pre-signed, undated resignation letter from a nominee limited partner;
  • The agreement for the provision of a nominee service and indemnification of nominee.
  • This is our most popular package with international customers, and includes: -

    This is our most popular package with international customers, and includes: -

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    Organization Structures Business, Incorporate Your Business Online, Incorporation Services at Affordable Prices, Learn About Incorporating and How to IncorporateSetting up a Business in United Kingdom, Incorporatin Business, Forming an LLC, Incorporate online in Delaware, Nevada, London, Florida, New YorkCompany UK Formation, Online UK Company Formation Agents, Plus a Wide Range of Ready-Made Companies Available and Vintage CompaniesWhat are the Advantages of Incorporation? You Can Now Form Your UK Limited Company Online Using Our Company Registration AgentHow Do I Get Started With the Registration Process? Company Formation & Registration of Offshore Companies Incorporation ServiceUK Limited Company Formation and Offshore Companies Incorporation Service, We Provide Online New Company Formations and Offshore Readymade CorporationSetting up a Business in United Kingdom, Cheap IBC Incorporation Offshore Anonymous Banking Internet Offshore Bank AccountUK Company Formation, Online Company Registration Agent Offering Same-Day Company Formation, Business BankingServices Include Companies Formation and Administration, Trademark, Intellectual Property, Company Search ServicesAn On-Line Resource to Setting-Up a Private Limited Company Without Hiring a Solicitor or Formation AgenStarting a Business Information, Advice and Information for Starting a New Business in the UK Including UK Business Start-UpHelp in Starting Up a Business Up-to-Date Advice and Strategies, Start Your Own Business and Gain Your Independence!Incorporate a Business in Any State, London, Glasgow, Form an LLC, Conduct a Trademark Search OnlineSmall Business Resources for Starting a Small Business, Small Business Marketing
    Financial Services and Markets Act 2000
    2000 Chapter c.8 - continued

    back to previous text
     
     PART XI
     INFORMATION GATHERING AND INVESTIGATIONS
     
    Powers to gather information
    Authority's power to require information.    165. - (1) The Authority may, by notice in writing given to an authorised person, require him-
     
     
      (a) to provide specified information or information of a specified description; or
     
      (b) to produce specified documents or documents of a specified description.
         (2) The information or documents must be provided or produced-
     
     
      (a) before the end of such reasonable period as may be specified; and
     
      (b) at such place as may be specified.
         (3) An officer who has written authorisation from the Authority to do so may require an authorised person without delay-
     
     
      (a) to provide the officer with specified information or information of a specified description; or
     
      (b) to produce to him specified documents or documents of a specified description.
         (4) This section applies only to information and documents reasonably required in connection with the exercise by the Authority of functions conferred on it by or under this Act.
     
         (5) The Authority may require any information provided under this section to be provided in such form as it may reasonably require.
     
         (6) The Authority may require-
     
     
      (a) any information provided, whether in a document or otherwise, to be verified in such manner, or
     
      (b) any document produced to be authenticated in such manner,
     as it may reasonably require.
     
         (7) The powers conferred by subsections (1) and (3) may also be exercised to impose requirements on-
     
     
      (a) a person who is connected with an authorised person;
     
      (b) an operator, trustee or depositary of a scheme recognised under section 270 or 272 who is not an authorised person;
     
      (c) a recognised investment exchange or recognised clearing house.
         (8) "Authorised person" includes a person who was at any time an authorised person but who has ceased to be an authorised person.
     
         (9) "Officer" means an officer of the Authority and includes a member of the Authority's staff or an agent of the Authority.
     
         (10) "Specified" means-
     
     
      (a) in subsections (1) and (2), specified in the notice; and
     
      (b) in subsection (3), specified in the authorisation.
         (11) For the purposes of this section, a person is connected with an authorised person ("A") if he is or has at any relevant time been-
     
     
      (a) a member of A's group;
     
      (b) a controller of A;
     
      (c) any other member of a partnership of which A is a member; or
     
      (d) in relation to A, a person mentioned in Part I of Schedule 15.
    Reports by skilled persons.    166. - (1) The Authority may, by notice in writing given to a person to whom subsection (2) applies, require him to provide the Authority with a report on any matter about which the Authority has required or could require the provision of information or production of documents under section 165.
     
         (2) This subsection applies to-
     
     
      (a) an authorised person ("A"),
     
      (b) any other member of A's group,
     
      (c) a partnership of which A is a member, or
     
      (d) a person who has at any relevant time been a person falling within paragraph (a), (b) or (c),
     who is, or was at the relevant time, carrying on a business.
     
         (3) The Authority may require the report to be in such form as may be specified in the notice.
     
         (4) The person appointed to make a report required by subsection (1) must be a person-
     
     
      (a) nominated or approved by the Authority; and
     
      (b) appearing to the Authority to have the skills necessary to make a report on the matter concerned.
         (5) It is the duty of any person who is providing (or who at any time has provided) services to a person to whom subsection (2) applies in relation to a matter on which a report is required under subsection (1) to give a person appointed to provide such a report all such assistance as the appointed person may reasonably require.
     
         (6) The obligation imposed by subsection (5) is enforceable, on the application of the Authority, by an injunction or, in Scotland, by an order for specific performance under section 45 of the Court of Session Act 1988.
     
     
    Appointment of investigators
    Appointment of persons to carry out general investigations.    167. - (1) If it appears to the Authority or the Secretary of State ("the investigating authority") that there is good reason for doing so, the investigating authority may appoint one or more competent persons to conduct an investigation on its behalf into-
     
     
      (a) the nature, conduct or state of the business of an authorised person or of an appointed representative;
     
      (b) a particular aspect of that business; or
     
      (c) the ownership or control of an authorised person.
         (2) If a person appointed under subsection (1) thinks it necessary for the purposes of his investigation, he may also investigate the business of a person who is or has at any relevant time been-
     
     
      (a) a member of the group of which the person under investigation ("A") is part; or
     
      (b) a partnership of which A is a member.
         (3) If a person appointed under subsection (1) decides to investigate the business of any person under subsection (2) he must give that person written notice of his decision.
     
         (4) The power conferred by this section may be exercised in relation to a former authorised person (or appointed representative) but only in relation to-
     
     
      (a) business carried on at any time when he was an authorised person (or appointed representative); or
     
      (b) the ownership or control of a former authorised person at any time when he was an authorised person.
         (5) "Business" includes any part of a business even if it does not consist of carrying on regulated activities.
     
    Appointment of persons to carry out investigations in particular cases.    168. - (1) Subsection (3) applies if it appears to an investigating authority that there are circumstances suggesting that-
     
     
      (a) a person may have contravened any regulation made under section 142; or
     
      (b) a person may be guilty of an offence under section 177, 191, 346 or 398(1) or under Schedule 4.
         (2) Subsection (3) also applies if it appears to an investigating authority that there are circumstances suggesting that-
     
     
      (a) an offence under section 24(1) or 397 or under Part V of the Criminal Justice Act 1993 may have been committed;
     
      (b) there may have been a breach of the general prohibition;
     
      (c) there may have been a contravention of section 21 or 238; or
     
      (d) market abuse may have taken place.
         (3) The investigating authority may appoint one or more competent persons to conduct an investigation on its behalf.
     
         (4) Subsection (5) applies if it appears to the Authority that there are circumstances suggesting that-
     
     
      (a) a person may have contravened section 20;
     
      (b) a person may be guilty of an offence under prescribed regulations relating to money laundering;
     
      (c) an authorised person may have contravened a rule made by the Authority;
     
      (d) an individual may not be a fit and proper person to perform functions in relation to a regulated activity carried on by an authorised or exempt person;
     
      (e) an individual may have performed or agreed to perform a function in breach of a prohibition order;
     
      (f) an authorised or exempt person may have failed to comply with section 56(6);
     
      (g) an authorised person may have failed to comply with section 59(1) or (2);
     
      (h) a person in relation to whom the Authority has given its approval under section 59 may not be a fit and proper person to perform the function to which that approval relates; or
     
      (i) a person may be guilty of misconduct for the purposes of section 66.
         (5) The Authority may appoint one or more competent persons to conduct an investigation on its behalf.
     
         (6) "Investigating authority" means the Authority or the Secretary of State.
     
     
    Assistance to overseas regulators
    Investigations etc. in support of overseas regulator.    169. - (1) At the request of an overseas regulator, the Authority may-
     
     
      (a) exercise the power conferred by section 165; or
     
      (b) appoint one or more competent persons to investigate any matter.
         (2) An investigator has the same powers as an investigator appointed under section 168(3) (as a result of subsection (1) of that section).
     
         (3) If the request has been made by a competent authority in pursuance of any Community obligation the Authority must, in deciding whether or not to exercise its investigative power, consider whether its exercise is necessary to comply with any such obligation.
     
         (4) In deciding whether or not to exercise its investigative power, the Authority may take into account in particular-
     
     
      (a) whether in the country or territory of the overseas regulator concerned, corresponding assistance would be given to a United Kingdom regulatory authority;
     
      (b) whether the case concerns the breach of a law, or other requirement, which has no close parallel in the United Kingdom or involves the assertion of a jurisdiction not recognised by the United Kingdom;
     
      (c) the seriousness of the case and its importance to persons in the United Kingdom;
     
      (d) whether it is otherwise appropriate in the public interest to give the assistance sought.
         (5) The Authority may decide that it will not exercise its investigative power unless the overseas regulator undertakes to make such contribution towards the cost of its exercise as the Authority considers appropriate.
     
         (6) Subsections (4) and (5) do not apply if the Authority considers that the exercise of its investigative power is necessary to comply with a Community obligation.
     
         (7) If the Authority has appointed an investigator in response to a request from an overseas regulator, it may direct the investigator to permit a representative of that regulator to attend, and take part in, any interview conducted for the purposes of the investigation.
     
         (8) A direction under subsection (7) is not to be given unless the Authority is satisfied that any information obtained by an overseas regulator as a result of the interview will be subject to safeguards equivalent to those contained in Part XXIII.
     
         (9) The Authority must prepare a statement of its policy with respect to the conduct of interviews in relation to which a direction under subsection (7) has been given.
     
         (10) The statement requires the approval of the Treasury.
     
         (11) If the Treasury approve the statement, the Authority must publish it.
     
         (12) No direction may be given under subsection (7) before the statement has been published.
     
         (13) "Overseas regulator" has the same meaning as in section 195.
     
         (14) "Investigative power" means one of the powers mentioned in subsection (1).
     
         (15) "Investigator" means a person appointed under subsection (1)(b).
     
     
    Conduct of investigations
    Investigations: general.    170. - (1) This section applies if an investigating authority appoints one or more competent persons ("investigators") under section 167 or 168(3) or (5) to conduct an investigation on its behalf.
     
         (2) The investigating authority must give written notice of the appointment of an investigator to the person who is the subject of the investigation ("the person under investigation").
     
         (3) Subsections (2) and (9) do not apply if -
     
     
      (a) the investigator is appointed as a result of section 168(1) or (4) and the investigating authority believes that the notice required by subsection (2) or (9) would be likely to result in the investigation being frustrated; or
     
      (b) the investigator is appointed as a result of subsection (2) of section 168.
         (4) A notice under subsection (2) must-
     
     
      (a) specify the provisions under which, and as a result of which, the investigator was appointed; and
     
      (b) state the reason for his appointment.
         (5) Nothing prevents the investigating authority from appointing a person who is a member of its staff as an investigator.
     
         (6) An investigator must make a report of his investigation to the investigating authority.
     
         (7) The investigating authority may, by a direction to an investigator, control-
     
     
      (a) the scope of the investigation;
     
      (b) the period during which the investigation is to be conducted;
     
      (c) the conduct of the investigation; and
     
      (d) the reporting of the investigation.
         (8) A direction may, in particular-
     
     
      (a) confine the investigation to particular matters;
     
      (b) extend the investigation to additional matters;
     
      (c) require the investigator to discontinue the investigation or to take only such steps as are specified in the direction;
     
      (d) require the investigator to make such interim reports as are so specified.
         (9) If there is a change in the scope or conduct of the investigation and, in the opinion of the investigating authority, the person subject to investigation is likely to be significantly prejudiced by not being made aware of it, that person must be given written notice of the change.
     
         (10) "Investigating authority", in relation to an investigator, means-
     
     
      (a) the Authority, if the Authority appointed him;
     
      (b) the Secretary of State, if the Secretary of State appointed him.
    Powers of persons appointed under section 167.    171. - (1) An investigator may require the person who is the subject of the investigation ("the person under investigation") or any person connected with the person under investigation-
     
     
      (a) to attend before the investigator at a specified time and place and answer questions; or
     
      (b) otherwise to provide such information as the investigator may require.
         (2) An investigator may also require any person to produce at a specified time and place any specified documents or documents of a specified description.
     
         (3) A requirement under subsection (1) or (2) may be imposed only so far as the investigator concerned reasonably considers the question, provision of information or production of the document to be relevant to the purposes of the investigation.
     
         (4) For the purposes of this section and section 172, a person is connected with the person under investigation ("A") if he is or has at any relevant time been-
     
     
      (a) a member of A's group;
     
      (b) a controller of A;
     
      (c) a partnership of which A is a member; or
     
      (d) in relation to A, a person mentioned in Part I or II of Schedule 15.
         (5) "Investigator" means a person conducting an investigation under section 167.
     
         (6) "Specified" means specified in a notice in writing.
     
    Additional power of persons appointed as a result of section 168(1) or (4).    172. - (1) An investigator has the powers conferred by section 171.
     
         (2) An investigator may also require a person who is neither the subject of the investigation ("the person under investigation") nor a person connected with the person under investigation-
     
     
      (a) to attend before the investigator at a specified time and place and answer questions; or
     
      (b) otherwise to provide such information as the investigator may require for the purposes of the investigation.
         (3) A requirement may only be imposed under subsection (2) if the investigator is satisfied that the requirement is necessary or expedient for the purposes of the investigation.
     
         (4) "Investigator" means a person appointed as a result of subsection (1) or (4) of section 168.
     
         (5) "Specified" means specified in a notice in writing.
     
    Powers of persons appointed as a result of section 168(2).    173. - (1) Subsections (2) to (4) apply if an investigator considers that any person ("A") is or may be able to give information which is or may be relevant to the investigation.
     
         (2) The investigator may require A-
     
     
      (a) to attend before him at a specified time and place and answer questions; or
     
      (b) otherwise to provide such information as he may require for the purposes of the investigation.
         (3) The investigator may also require A to produce at a specified time and place any specified documents or documents of a specified description which appear to the investigator to relate to any matter relevant to the investigation.
     
         (4) The investigator may also otherwise require A to give him all assistance in connection with the investigation which A is reasonably able to give.
     
         (5) "Investigator" means a person appointed under subsection (3) of section 168 (as a result of subsection (2) of that section).
     
    Admissibility of statements made to investigators.    174. - (1) A statement made to an investigator by a person in compliance with an information requirement is admissible in evidence in any proceedings, so long as it also complies with any requirements governing the admissibility of evidence in the circumstances in question.
     
         (2) But in criminal proceedings in which that person is charged with an offence to which this subsection applies or in proceedings in relation to action to be taken against that person under section 123-
     
     
      (a) no evidence relating to the statement may be adduced, and
     
      (b) no question relating to it may be asked,
     by or on behalf of the prosecution or (as the case may be) the Authority, unless evidence relating to it is adduced, or a question relating to it is asked, in the proceedings by or on behalf of that person.
     
         (3) Subsection (2) applies to any offence other than one-
     
     
      (a) under section 177(4) or 398;
     
      (b) under section 5 of the Perjury Act 1911 (false statements made otherwise than on oath);
     
      (c) under section 44(2) of the Criminal Law (Consolidation)(Scotland) Act 1995 (false statements made otherwise than on oath); or
     
      (d) under Article 10 of the Perjury (Northern Ireland) Order 1979.
         (4) "Investigator" means a person appointed under section 167 or 168(3) or (5).
     
         (5) "Information requirement" means a requirement imposed by an investigator under section 171, 172, 173 or 175.
     
    Information and documents: supplemental provisions.    175. - (1) If the Authority or an investigator has power under this Part to require a person to produce a document but it appears that the document is in the possession of a third person, that power may be exercised in relation to the third person.
     
         (2) If a document is produced in response to a requirement imposed under this Part, the person to whom it is produced may-
     
     
      (a) take copies or extracts from the document; or
     
      (b) require the person producing the document, or any relevant person, to provide an explanation of the document.
         (3) If a person who is required under this Part to produce a document fails to do so, the Authority or an investigator may require him to state, to the best of his knowledge and belief, where the document is.
     
         (4) A lawyer may be required under this Part to furnish the name and address of his client.
     
         (5) No person may be required under this Part to disclose information or produce a document in respect of which he owes an obligation of confidence by virtue of carrying on the business of banking unless-
     
     
      (a) he is the person under investigation or a member of that person's group;
     
      (b) the person to whom the obligation of confidence is owed is the person under investigation or a member of that person's group;
     
      (c) the person to whom the obligation of confidence is owed consents to the disclosure or production; or
     
      (d) the imposing on him of a requirement with respect to such information or document has been specifically authorised by the investigating authority.
         (6) If a person claims a lien on a document, its production under this Part does not affect the lien.
     
         (7) "Relevant person", in relation to a person who is required to produce a document, means a person who-
     
     
      (a) has been or is or is proposed to be a director or controller of that person;
     
      (b) has been or is an auditor of that person;
     
      (c) has been or is an actuary, accountant or lawyer appointed or instructed by that person; or
     
      (d) has been or is an employee of that person.
         (8) "Investigator" means a person appointed under section 167 or 168(3) or (5).
     
    Entry of premises under warrant.    176. - (1) A justice of the peace may issue a warrant under this section if satisfied on information on oath given by or on behalf of the Secretary of State, the Authority or an investigator that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the first, second or third set of conditions is satisfied.
     
         (2) The first set of conditions is-
     
     
      (a) that a person on whom an information requirement has been imposed has failed (wholly or in part) to comply with it; and
     
      (b) that on the premises specified in the warrant-
     
        (i) there are documents which have been required; or
     
        (ii) there is information which has been required.
         (3) The second set of conditions is-
     
     
      (a) that the premises specified in the warrant are premises of an authorised person or an appointed representative;
     
      (b) that there are on the premises documents or information in relation to which an information requirement could be imposed; and
     
      (c) that if such a requirement were to be imposed-
     
        (i) it would not be complied with; or
     
        (ii) the documents or information to which it related would be removed, tampered with or destroyed.
         (4) The third set of conditions is-
     
     
      (a) that an offence mentioned in section 168 for which the maximum sentence on conviction on indictment is two years or more has been (or is being) committed by any person;
     
      (b) that there are on the premises specified in the warrant documents or information relevant to whether that offence has been (or is being) committed;
     
      (c) that an information requirement could be imposed in relation to those documents or information; and
     
      (d) that if such a requirement were to be imposed-
     
        (i) it would not be complied with; or
     
        (ii) the documents or information to which it related would be removed, tampered with or destroyed.
         (5) A warrant under this section shall authorise a constable-
     
     
      (a) to enter the premises specified in the warrant;
     
      (b) to search the premises and take possession of any documents or information appearing to be documents or information of a kind in respect of which a warrant under this section was issued ("the relevant kind") or to take, in relation to any such documents or information, any other steps which may appear to be necessary for preserving them or preventing interference with them;
     
      (c) to take copies of, or extracts from, any documents or information appearing to be of the relevant kind;
     
      (d) to require any person on the premises to provide an explanation of any document or information appearing to be of the relevant kind or to state where it may be found; and
     
      (e) to use such force as may be reasonably necessary.
         (6) In England and Wales, sections 15(5) to (8) and section 16 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (execution of search warrants and safeguards) apply to warrants issued under this section.
     
         (7) In Northern Ireland, Articles 17(5) to (8) and 18 of the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 apply to warrants issued under this section.
     
         (8) Any document of which possession is taken under this section may be retained-
     
     
      (a) for a period of three months; or
     
      (b) if within that period proceedings to which the document is relevant are commenced against any person for any criminal offence, until the conclusion of those proceedings.
         (9) In the application of this section to Scotland-
     
     
      (a) for the references to a justice of the peace substitute references to a justice of the peace or a sheriff; and
     
      (b) for the references to information on oath substitute references to evidence on oath.
         (10) "Investigator" means a person appointed under section 167 or 168(3) or (5).
     
         (11) "Information requirement" means a requirement imposed-
     
     
      (a) by the Authority under section 165 or 175; or
     
      (b) by an investigator under section 171, 172, 173 or 175.
     
    Offences
    Offences.    177. - (1) If a person other than the investigator ("the defaulter") fails to comply with a requirement imposed on him under this Part the person imposing the requirement may certify that fact in writing to the court.
     
         (2) If the court is satisfied that the defaulter failed without reasonable excuse to comply with the requirement, it may deal with the defaulter (and in the case of a body corporate, any director or officer) as if he were in contempt.
     
         (3) A person who knows or suspects that an investigation is being or is likely to be conducted under this Part is guilty of an offence if-
     
     
      (a) he falsifies, conceals, destroys or otherwise disposes of a document which he knows or suspects is or would be relevant to such an investigation, or
     
      (b) he causes or permits the falsification, concealment, destruction or disposal of such a document,
     unless he shows that he had no intention of concealing facts disclosed by the documents from the investigator.
     
         (4) A person who, in purported compliance with a requirement imposed on him under this Part-
     
     
      (a) provides information which he knows to be false or misleading in a material particular, or
     
      (b) recklessly provides information which is false or misleading in a material particular,
     is guilty of an offence.
     
         (5) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (3) or (4) is liable-
     
     
      (a) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum, or both;
     
      (b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or a fine, or both.
         (6) Any person who intentionally obstructs the exercise of any rights conferred by a warrant under section 176 is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, or both.
     
         (7) "Court" means-
     
     
      (a) the High Court;
     
      (b) in Scotland, the Court of Session.
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