Business Names

The Business Names Act 1985

The Act allows the Secretary of State control over the name you choose for your business and regulates disclosure of business ownership - in other words what and how you must tell others about the ownership of the business.

The act applies to:

• a company which trades under a name which is not its corporate name;
• a partnership which does not trade under the names of all the partners;
• an individual who trades under a name other than that person's surname, with or without his or her first names or initials.

If the Act applies to you (see above) then you must comply with all the disclosure requirements. You will need to disclose (as appropriate):

• the corporate name;
• the name of each partner, or
• the individual name, and
• in relation to each person named, an address at which documents can be served.

You must display the information in a prominent position so that it can be read easily, in all the places where you carry on your business and where you deal with customers or suppliers - this would include a website if you are an Internet trader.

You will need to show the information clearly on all :

• business letters;
• written orders for the supply of goods or services;
• invoices and receipts and
• written demands for the payment of business debts.

Further guidance on the Act can be found at www.companies-house.gov.uk .

Please Note

This leaflet is not an authoritative interpretation of the law and is intended only for guidance. For further information please contact your local Consumer Protection or Trading Standards office.

Trading Standards Division, 3rd Floor, Wallasey Town Hall, Brighton Street, Wallasey, Wirral CH44 8ED
Telephone: (0151) 691 8020    Fax: (0151) 691 8098
Internet World Wide Web http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/wirral/
Electronic Mail: tradingstandards@wirral.gov.uk