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Company formation and initial administration templates
Download expert-drafted company formation document templates that are often required for a newly incorporated company.
Company Formation
Setting up a private limited company in England and Wales is a straightforward, fast and inexpensive process. Incorporation can be done online via the UK Government website. The step by step process prompts the information necessary for the registration, including company name, registered office, first directors, share capital and initial shareholder(s).
In this section, there are a number of template documents which are supplementary to the formation of a company and for its initial administration.
In addition, our section Company Administration contains documents for the ongoing administration of a company, covering both regular requirements and one-off situations.
frequentlyasked questions
What documents do I need to form a limited company in the UK?
When you set up a private limited company in England and Wales, you will need:
- a company name
- a registered office address in the UK
- details of at least one director
- share capital information
- details of the initial shareholder(s)
These details are entered into the UK Government’s online incorporation system. You will also need the company’s memorandum of association and articles of association, which can be standard or bespoke.
Can I form a company with just one director?
Yes. A private limited company in England and Wales can be formed with a single director who is also the sole shareholder.
How long does the company formation process take?
If you apply online via the UK Government website, incorporation can usually be completed within 24 hours, often on the same day.
What’s the difference between incorporation and registration?
Incorporation is the legal process of forming a new company and creating it as a separate legal entity. Registration is the act of entering the company’s details on the official register at Companies House. In practice, both happen together when you set up a company.
Do I need a shareholder agreement when setting up a company?
If there is more than one shareholder, a shareholder agreement is strongly recommended. It sets out how the company will be run, the rights and obligations of each shareholder, and how disputes will be resolved. You can learn more on our shareholder agreements page.
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