Properly understanding the merits of the director disqualification claim against you at an early stage is a vital part of reaching the best possible solution for you. Key to this is examining and understanding the allegations of misconduct made against the director. Our team has specialised in disqualification claims since 2002 and has successfully helped 100s directors over the years. Let us help you too.
One of the most astute appointments I have ever made
A company director we successfully defended against disqualification
Director disqualification was introduced by the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986. Its aim was to protect the public interest from those directors who abused their position of trust and confidence as the representatives of a limited company.
- being disqualified as a director does not prohibit you from running your own business or running a business in partnership with another (in your own names)
- but it prevents you from acting as a director of a limited company, as a representative of certain incorporated charitable associations (including Industrial & Provident societies and Friendly Societies) or as a partner of a Limited Liability Partnership
Insolvency
Where a company is placed into any form of insolvency proceeding, (comprising a compulsory liquidation, a voluntary liquidation or administration), then a review of the directors’ conduct in the period leading up to insolvency will be examined.
- this may lead to investigations as to whether such directors should be disqualified, with the intention of preventing a repeat of such behaviour;
- equally, where an individual is declared bankrupt then disqualification as a director will be automatic.
Misconduct
Most directors, even where their company is placed into insolvency proceedings, are never disqualified from acting as a director.
- directors most commonly disqualified are those who are found to have been guilty of misconduct in the management of a company or who are not considered sufficiently competent to retain such a position of trust
- misconduct can range from breaches of statutory requirements within the Companies Act legislation or negligence in not paying taxes through to fraud and criminal acts
- misconduct sufficient to merit disqualification does not have to be deliberate in nature – it can comprise negligence or carelessness and many disorganised directors can find themselves disqualified
- the purpose of director disqualification is protection of the public, not prosecution of the guilty
Most common circumstances of disqualification
There is a specific statutory framework which governs when directors (or any individual, regardless of whether they have previously been a director) may be disqualified from acting as a director.
These include:
- company insolvency
- bankruptcy
- public interest winding-up
- criminal proceedings
- persistent breaches of Companies Act 2006
- fraud
At Francis Wilks & Jones we are able to advise on any risk you or your business may face as a result of an order or threat to disqualify you as a director, or alternative assist you when faced with threatened or issued disqualification proceedings which may result in your disqualification as a director.
If there was ever a star rating for law firms, Francis Wilks & Jones would score five stars plus. Professional and pro-active, they were able to understand my problem quickly, provide expert advice, outline a solution and put it into place with a successful outcome. I should have gone to them soone
A client we successfully defended in director disqualification and insolvency related proceedings
