HomeFWJ TakeawayDirector disqualification claimsHow to stay a director despite disqualificationThe benefits of seeking court permission to act as a director

It is possible for a director to make an application to remain acting as a director or be involved in the management despite a disqualification order or undertaking. We have a 100% success record in these applications going back to 2002. Our team can help you back in to business.

One of the most astute appointments I have ever made.

A company director we successfully defended against disqualification

Background

A director of a company which has failed or entered into insolvency proceedings often faces the risk that after insolvency s/he could be disqualified from continuing to act as a director for a specified period of years.

This period of disqualification can be between 2 – 15 years and for many people (particularly those above 40 years old) this may effectively end any future possibility of running a successful business.

Clarifying the risk when taking up a new role

It may be that you are disqualified from acting as a director and you choose instead to take employment in a company, or continue your role in an employed capacity.

This latter option is often pursued by directors who may own the new company in whole or part, and indeed when disqualified as a director that individual is not prohibited from holding shares.

  • however it is almost always the case that by acting as an employee, and by being the main or sole shareholder, a director faces the risk of “overstepping” his role and acting in the management of the company or as a shadow or de facto director;
  • instead of running such a risk, a director should consider either applying for permission to act as a director of the company or issue an alternate application for the appropriate declarations by the court as to his/her role.

Irrespective of the route chosen, by seeking permission to act a director under section 17 of the Company Director Disqualification Act 1986, it deals with any future risk that s/he could be found to be acting whilst disqualified with the potential criminal consequences that would then arise.

Reduction in legal costs

Although issuing an application for permission to act as a director does not at first sight appear to be a good formula for saving legal costs, when considering the options available upon receiving notice of threatened disqualification proceedings it provides a more commercial solution to resolving the proposed claim by the Secretary of State.

  • firstly, you may have less exposure to your own solicitor’s legal costs if matters can be tied up quickly by offering a disqualification undertaking; and,
  • if you offer such an undertaking early enough, you will not face any of the Secretary of State’s legal costs incurred in investigating the previous company matters, in drafting their application and evidence and otherwise (which could potentially be a substantial cost saving).

If this can be combined with an application for permission to act as a director notwithstanding the disqualification undertaking offered, then the overall cost saving is likely to be considerable.

Getting the disqualification proceedings finished more quickly

From the commencement of the insolvency proceedings through to disqualification of a director, this period could be as long as 4 years (or more).

  • however, if a commercial approach is taken and a disqualification undertaking offered in combination with an application for leave to act, then matters will be resolved very quickly and the director can get on with their life;
  • this benefit has other values (aside from the legal cost point addressed above) – it enables directors to focus on current priorities (including their business and personal matters) and so the application for leave can be a small cost to pay to reclaim the time to address such matters.

Support from a fellow director

The granting of permission for a director to continue or commence acting in the management and directorship of his/her company will to some degree provide comfort to the director that s/he is not considered to have acted in any fraudulently in respect of the previous business.

But it will require the support of at least one other director in the company for which permission is sought. You cannot be a sole director.


At Francis Wilks & Jones we have considerable experience of making applications for permission to act as a director and pursuant to Section 17 Company Director disqualification Act 1986. Managed correctly a director will obtain leave to act notwithstanding his/her disqualification. Please contact any member of our director services team for help.

FWJ exceeded my expectations by not only avoiding an order for my disqualification as a director but also negotiating a complete withdrawal of the prosecution. This has been such a relief and weight off my mind after many years and I am very grateful to them. I strongly recommend instructing them at the very earliest opportunity. Timely advice, realistic expectations, prioritisation and logical legal presentation were key.

A company director we successfully defended against a director disqualification claim by the Registrar of Companies

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