Have you applied to voluntarily dissolve your company and subsequently realised that the dissolved company still owns assets, for example cash in a bank account or a property or a right to bring a claim against the company’s bank?
If so, you may be aware that all the assets of the company at the date of its striking off are transferred to the Crown, bona vacantia. “Bona Vacantia” means vacant goods and is the name given to ownerless property, which by law passes to the Crown.
If you would like to recover any such assets you will need to restore the company to the Register of Companies and apply to the Crown’s representative to release such assets back to the company.
We can help you to restore the company, whether to continue trading it or simply to rescue assets.
How To Restore A Company
There are two ways to restore a company, depending on why the company was struck-off:
Administrative Restoration
You can only apply for an administrative restoration if the following conditions apply:
(a) The company was struck-off by the Registrar of Companies where the company:
- Failed to file accounts or an annual return or
- Has been wound up and the liquidator has ceased to act
(b) The application to restore is no more than 6 years from the date of dissolution; and
(c) All documents required to be filed such as accounts and annual returns are duly filed up to date together with any late filing penalties paid
If the above conditions apply, the application to restore can be made using a form available online from Companies House, accompanied with a statement of compliance and a fee of £100.
If any assets of the company have been vested in the Crown bona vacantia, the necessary consent from the Crown representative must also be obtained, which may also incur a fee.
Court Application to Restore
You must use the court procedure to restore the company if the following conditions apply:
- As per condition (a) above for an administrative restoration or (b) if a voluntary application to dissolve the company was made by the directors or (c) if the company has been dissolved following an administration or winding up; and
- The application to restore is no more than 6 years from the date of dissolution, unless the purpose of the restoration is to bring a personal injury claim against the company, in which case there is no time limit for the application.
If the above apply, we can make a court application on behalf of the company to restore it. In addition to the court application, any assets vested in the Crown bona vacantia must be waived by the Crown representative or recovered by way of a vesting order.
There are fees payable in relation to the court application itself, to the Registrar of Companies in respect of the application and to the Crown representative (if applicable).
Which procedure applies to your company?
As to which procedure applies to your company (an administrative restoration or a court application to restore) will depend on:
- The reason why the company was dissolved. If the company was voluntarily struck off by its directors, the company may only be restored by way of a court application and
- The purpose for which the company is to be restored. If the company needs to be restored purely to rescue assets which have transferred bona vacantia, a court application may in certain circumstances be more suitable. This is because a court application may state that the company does not need to continue trading following its restoration and therefore may avoid the expense of filing any outstanding accounts or paying any penalties.
Our Approach to Company Restoration
Our specialist Corporate and Litigation Solicitors have many years’ experience advising in relation to the restoration of companies.
We provide clear legal advice and make sure we explain the whole process to our clients.
We have a wealth of experience in restoring companies to the register, for example, acting for:
- A consultant to restore his consultancy company in order to recover cash left in a bank account after the company had been liquidated and then dissolved.
- Directors of a company who were bringing a mis-selling claim against their bank where the right to bring the claim belonged to the struck-off company.
- A holding company which had failed to properly transfer a property from one of its subsidiary companies which was subsequently struck off and
- A large number of motor trade businesses to pursue VAT claims against HM Revenue & Customs for companies that had been struck off many years previously.
Testimonials
Mr Preston
Chris Moss's advice and support was exceptional. I would highly recommend.
Mr. Maitland, VendiTech
Myerson has been exceptional to work with, combining a high level of professionalism with a pragmatic, commercially minded approach. Communication is always clear, timely, and responsive, which gives us real confidence when navigating complex decisions. Chris, Charlotte and Richard provided invaluable support across multiple areas of our business. Their guidance has been instrumental to our continued success and has played a key role in giving us strong confidence around compliance as we scale and evolve.
Gary Johnson, CDL
The strength that Myerson brings to CDL and its group companies is an intimate understanding of our products and services and how they are utilised in the various sectors of our evolving marketplace. CDL and Myerson have worked together for over 10 years and in that time CDL have been fortunate to attract, court and secure many new contracts including large banking and global organisations.
Tim Webb, RTA Claim Solutions
Myerson have been hugely professional and supportive in providing expert legal advice to the business. For us, their quality of service and expert knowledge of commercial business was equally as important as their undoubted legal capabilities. We hope to be able to continue to work with them over the long term.
Tony Sampson , J2 Retail Ltd
Unphased by the ‘big names’ and frequently head to head with much larger firms, they have always worked effectively on our behalf as both a business and as shareholders, and have represented us extremely well in many complex and difficult situations. Myerson partners and lawyers have an excellent grasp of the commercial realities of our business – something that is equally as important as their undoubted capabilities as lawyers.
David Hibbert, Stax Trade Centres PLC
We were introduced to Myerson back in 1986 with a view to them advising us on our MBO. Myerson have always been there with clear, easily presented counsel as to how to deal with every aspect of business life. We respect their honesty and integrity and have no qualms in recommending them to any up and coming entrepreneurs.
Mr. Roberts, Communications Plus Ltd.
Chris Moss, Melisa Chaplow and Charlotte Peers have been exceptional. Thank you.
Mike Forsyth - Founder and Chairman, Safer Sphere
Myerson Solicitors acted for us in a complicated Management Buy-Out transaction. Akeel, Palma, Simon, Andrew, and the team supported completion in a tight time frame with the utmost professionalism and diligence. They coordinated and cooperated seamlessly with the wider advisors and stakeholders, ensuring full protection and compliance with the transaction. We have worked with Myerson on a number of legal aspects for over 5 years, and would highly recommend their services.
Colin
Supported my business from the outset. Always there when needed. Superb integrity and pricing. Always gets the job done effectively with open dialogue and communication at every point. Yes I highly recommend.
Chambers UK Guide 2026
The Corporate team at Myerson is the perfect size for a balance between expertise and personal service.
Chambers UK Guide 2026
Myerson's Corporate team is attentive, available and technically knowledgeable.
Chambers UK Guide 2026
Myerson's Corporate Team were good to deal with and we worked well together.
Legal 500, 2024
Responsive, always willing to provide some direction, guidance and support, even at short notice, and, due to the familiarity of the business across the team, there are multiple contact points which means there is always somebody to speak to who understands our company and objectives.
Legal 500, 2024
The whole team is responsive and highly approachable, taking time to understand the business and framing legal matters in a manner understandable to the audience – working with a range of people across our business.
Legal 500, 2024
They have always looked at the whole picture and taken time to understand my business, so advice is tailored. No time-wasting and treated like I am their only client.
Legal 500, 2024
Well resourced and able team that expertly and adequately handle whatever we throw at them as our retained commercial lawyers.
Legal 500, 2024
Smaller boutique corporate team who are very responsive, professional and add value to corporate transactions.
Why Work With Our Corporate Lawyers?
- We have been ranked as a Top Tier law firm by the Legal 500 for the last seven years.
- You will receive city-quality corporate law advice at regional prices.
- Price transparency - we provide our clients with an estimate at the outset of any piece of work, with ongoing updates throughout the matter.
- Our Corporate Partner-led service ensures you receive the very best legal advice and commercially minded support.
- We have a large team with corporate finance experience across a diverse variety of business sectors, including financial services. Our team focuses on achieving your objectives and meeting your deadlines, especially in legal matters pertaining to public companies.
- We are a full-service law firm operating from a one-site office, which means our teams communicate effectively and efficiently, and our Corporate Lawyers can draw on support from other specialist lawyers, such as property and employment lawyers.
- Our Corporate Solicitors use technology and AI effectively to ensure that we are working as efficiently as possible and that geographical distance is no bar to us from providing you with excellent client service.
- Our Corporate Team were named “Team of the Year (Cheshire)” at the 2025 North West Rainmaker Awards.
- Myerson was shortlisted for ‘Large Deal of the Year (£50m+)’ at the Yorkshire Rainmakers Awards 2026 for advising AQA on its acquisition of Realise Training Group, highlighting the strength of the firm’s Corporate team in delivering high-value, complex transactions across the UK.
- We were the winners of ‘Corporate Team of the Year 2021’ at the Manchester Legal Awards.
- Take a look at the Myerson Promise for further benefits of working with us here.
Meet Our Company Restoration Specialists
Home-grown or recruited from national, regional or City firms. Our specialists are experts in their fields and respected by their peers.
Contact Our Experts
You can contact our lawyers below if you have any more questions or want more information:
0161 941 4000
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