Company Statutory Registers: What Do You Still Need to Keep?

Companies are required by law to maintain certain statutory registers, recording important information about their directors, shareholders and ownership. However, recent changes introduced by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA) have changed and reduced the number of registers companies are required to maintain themselves.

So, what has changed and, importantly, what happens if your company does not keep an up-to-date register of shareholders?

What has changed?

Historically, companies were required to maintain a number of statutory registers, including registers of directors, directors’ residential addresses, secretaries, people with significant control (PSCs) and members (shareholders).

From 18 November 2025, companies are no longer required to maintain their own registers of directors, directors’ residential addresses, secretaries or PSCs. Instead, the relevant information must be provided to Companies House and kept up to date on the public register.

However, the position is different for the register of members. Companies must still maintain their own register of members, which records who owns shares in the company.

Companies who had previously elected to keep their register of members centrally at Companies House are also now required to bring this information back into their own records following the closure of that option on 26 January 2026.

Why is the register of members important?

Under section 113 of the Companies Act 2006, every company must maintain a register of members. This should record details including:

• The names and addresses of the shareholders;
• The date on which each shareholder became a member;
• The date on which they ceased to be a member; and
• If the company has a share capital, the number and class of shares held by each shareholder and the amount paid or agreed to be paid for those shares.

The register is particularly important because it provides the formal record of who the company’s shareholders are. It is also the register which determines who is recognised as a member of the company and is therefore entitled to exercise shareholder rights, including voting and receiving dividends. If your name is not entered onto the register of members, you are not technically a member of the company. If this register is not kept up to date it can lead to numerous problems for the Company and its members.

The register must be kept available for inspection at the company’s registered office or a single alternative inspection location (SAIL).

What happens if a company does not maintain its register?

Failing to maintain an accurate register of members can have both legal and practical consequences.

Under section 113 of the Companies Act 2006, a failure to comply with the requirement to maintain the register is a criminal offence committed by both the company and every officer of the company who is in default. This can result in a fine, with further daily fines for continued non-compliance.

There can also be more significant commercial consequences. For example, if you are looking to sell your company, an inaccurate or incomplete register can create difficulties.

It can also lead to disputes between shareholders, particularly where there is uncertainty about ownership, voting rights or entitlement to dividends.

Correcting an inaccurate register can be a complex process and may even require an application to the court under section 125 of the Companies Act 2006, which can add further significant cost and delay.

What should companies be doing?

Although the recent reforms have reduced the number of statutory registers companies need to maintain, the requirement to keep an accurate register of members remains and it is imperative that companies comply with this requirement.

Companies should review their existing statutory records, ensure that any changes in share ownership have been properly recorded and check that their register is held at the correct location.

If you are unsure whether your company’s statutory registers are up to date, it is worth taking advice to ensure that the necessary records are in place.

Annabel Attwell is a Solicitor in the Company and Commercial Team at Barker Gotelee Solicitors.

Our Company and Commercial Team can advise on company secretarial requirements and help ensure that your company’s statutory records are accurate and compliant.

To speak to a member of the team, please call 01473 611211, or complete our enquiry form below.