Setting up a company in Leicester

Registering a limited company is quick. Getting the ownership, articles and early contracts right is what saves arguments later.

Last updated 27 September 2026. General information about the law in England and Wales, not legal advice on your situation.

Registering a company takes an afternoon. The legal decisions around it take a little longer and matter far more.

The basics

A company needs at least one director, a registered office address in the right part of the UK, articles of association, and a statement of the people with significant control. Companies House has tightened its rules, including identity verification for directors and PSCs and requirements for registered office and email addresses, so check the current requirements.

Where founders get caught out

Shares split 50/50 with no agreement. Fine while things are good, a problem the moment they aren’t. A shareholders’ agreement deals with decisions, leavers and deadlock.

Model articles used without thought. They work for simple companies but don’t deal with share transfers, leavers or different classes of shares.

Intellectual property left with individuals. Code, designs, brands and domain names created before the company existed, or by contractors, may not belong to the company unless they’re assigned. Investors and buyers will check.

Personal guarantees and leases. Landlords and lenders often ask directors to guarantee company obligations personally, which reduces the protection limited liability gives.

Early documents worth having

A shareholders’ agreement, updated articles, service agreements or consultancy agreements for founders, IP assignments, website terms and privacy notice, and your standard terms and conditions. Registering your trade mark early is cheap compared with a dispute over a name later.

Common questions

Do I need a solicitor to set up a company?

Not to register it, which you can do online with Companies House. Advice is useful where there are several founders, investors, or unusual share rights.

Do directors have to verify their identity?

Yes. Under reforms introduced by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, directors and people with significant control must verify their identity with Companies House. Check GOV.UK for the current process.

Sole trader, partnership or company?

It mostly comes down to tax, liability and how you want to bring others in. Speak to an accountant about tax, and a solicitor about ownership and protection.