Month-long pause in Companies House strike-off process

Companies House is to pause voluntary and compulsory strike-off processes for one month to tackle a backlog

Voluntary and compulsory strike off processes have been put on hold for one month from 21 January until 21 February.

Companies House said it is following the government’s Covid-secure guidance and has reduced the number of staff in its offices. This has led to delays in processing correspondence, documents and forms.

The pause in strike-off processes will enable it to get on top of the workload.

Companies House say it will continue to publish first Gazette notices for voluntary strike-off applications to minimise the impact on those who have applied to close their company, but will not be publishing the second Gazette notice and striking companies off during this period.

For companies on the compulsory strike-off path, Companies House will not be publishing first and second Gazette notices.

Companies House said that pausing its strike-off processes will provide companies with more time to update their records and help them avoid being struck off the register.

It will also protect creditors and other interested parties who might have had difficulties in receiving notices or registering an objection, or whose objections have not yet been processed.

Companies House will continue to remind customers about their filing responsibilities during this period.

Digital services are available as normal, and companies are encouraged to file online if possible.

Companies House says it will conduct a review before the end of the one month period, and provide updates on gov.uk and social media channels.