Corporate and Commercial
Owner Managed Businesses

Charlotte Hamilton
March 2025

As a reminder to those in charge of company administration, the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA) became law in October 2023. It set out a phased timeline for new requirements on businesses to enhance transparency and prevent crime within UK business. In this summary we highlight the upcoming key dates to note.

We have reported on the objectives of ECCTA in this article by Isobel Moran.

From 25 March 2025 – Identity Verification

From 25 March 2025, individuals may voluntarily verify their identity directly with Companies House or via an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). Identity verifications apply to all new and existing company directors and people with significant control. They also apply to members of LLPs.  

Identity verification will become compulsory and so it is advisable to do this as soon as possible to avoid missing the compulsory deadline. If you need any guidance or assistance, please be in touch.

Missing the deadline is an offence. The consequences include financial penalties and may prevent you from being able to make other filings on behalf of existing companies or setting up a new company.

From 27 January 2025 – Suppression of Personal Information

From 27 January 2025, individuals can apply to supress personal information from historical documents such as their home address, date of birth, signatures, and business occupation.

Additional protection will be available to those at risk of harm by protecting their information from public view.

From spring 2026 – Changes to Limited Partnerships

From spring 2026, LPs must: 

  • provide partners’ names, date of birth and usual residential address
  • verify the identity of general partners
  • provide a registered office address in the UK – this must be in the same country the LP is registered in, for example a LP registered in Scotland must have a registered office address in Scotland
  • provide a standard industrial classification (SIC) code
  • file an annual confirmation statement

LPs will need to file their information through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).

There will be new powers to:

  • close and restore LPs
  • apply sanctions
  • protect partners’ information
  • operate a statutory compliance process

These changes for LPs will be implemented following secondary legislation and so we are continuing to monitor these changes.

Please see our initial report on the objectives of ECCTA here. We will continue to provide updates as they come into effect. Now is the time to start taking action to verify the identity of the individuals behind your organisation. If you need any guidance or assistance, please be in touch.