What is (or was) The Authorised Share Capital?

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limited companyThe authorised share capital was abolished as part of the Companies Act 2006. However that’s not stopped us from being asked what this was. So here you go:

Before the Companies Act 2006 a limited company could be formed without allocating all of its shares. So a company could be formed with an authorised share capital of ten shares worth £1 each but with an issued share capital of one share worth £1, meaning that only one of the ten shares were issued to a shareholder, therefore leaving another nine shares available to be allocated. The authorised share capital detailed all of the shares in the company, both allocated and non-allocated.

Now when forming a company you simply choose how many shares to allot to each shareholder with nothing leftover. If you wish to add more shares post company formation you can file the “SH01: Return of allotment of shares” form.

This post was brought to you by Mathew Aitken at Companies Made Simple – The Simplest Company Formation Service

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