Corporate Law and Governance Directorate aims to ensure that this legal framework remains up-to-date and meets the needs of business, shareholders, creditors and consumers.

The Directorate is responsible for the development and administration of Company Law (apart from subjects which are the responsibility of Companies House). It keeps under review legislation on companies and partnerships and considers proposals for reform. In general, since the launch of the Company Law Review, the conclusions of this work have fed into the review. In some cases, however, it has been possible to implement particular reforms in advance of the outcome of the main review by means of secondary legislation, or through early primary legislation if a legislative opportunity arises.

The Directorate also represents UK interests in negotiations on development of EC company law, sponsors the accountancy profession, deals with policy on accounting and audit requirements and exercises and advises on a wide range of administrative powers under the Companies Acts 1985 and 1989. For information on the EU regulation on the application of international accounting standards in the EU please click here

For information on the draft modernisation of accounting directives please click here

For information about Implementation of the Fair Value Directive please click here

Companies Investigation Branch of the Directorate is responsible to the Secretary of State for considering complaints about the conduct of companies and carrying out investigations and inspections under the Companies Acts and the Financial Services Act 1986; as well as for possible fraud, insider dealing and offences arising from insolvency and initiating appropriate follow up action and disclosure of information to other regulators.

Detailed information on the work of the Directorate may be obtained from the menu on the left side of the page.

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Last reviewed November 2003