Companies House Identity Verification Process: The Latest Position

Introduction

The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act ('ECCTA') received Royal Assent on 26 October 2023. The ECCTA has radically changed the nature of the Companies House Register and identity verification impacts every company on the register. Anyone setting up, running, owning or controlling a company in the UK will need to verify their identity. It will also impact those filing on behalf of companies.

If you are involved in advising companies (or have any dealings with Companies House filings), then this interactive online seminar is for you, delivered by Jackie Sheldon, author of A Practical Guide to Identity Verification under the ECCTA 2023.

What You Will Learn

This live and interactive course will cover the following:

• Why identity verification is being introduced
• Timeline including the latest postponements
• ‘Changes to UK company law’ website (and practical other tips to remain up to date and suggestions for updating clients)
• Who will need to verify their identity
• How to verify your own identity including practical advice/tips for current issues (and for firms, considerations and discussion about internal policies)
• Verification when appointing a director or identifying a PSC - a process map (including the timings for PSCs and discussion surrounding correction of errors and other current issues)
• How to become an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (‘ACSP’) including a review of the list of anti-money laundering supervisory bodies, the registration process (and costs)
• Understanding your role as an ACSP (legal requirements and consequences of failure to comply)
• How to use your authorised account as an ACSP
• How ACSPs can meet the verification standards for their clients (and key points to note such as potential additional training, e.g. checking documents are real) together with the latest guidance from regulators
• Summarising who can file documents at Companies House
• Clarification as to key differences between verifying for anti money laundering checks and IDV
• Q&A

Recording of live sessions: Soon after the Learn Live session has taken place you will be able to go back and access the recording - should you wish to revisit the material discussed.