Form RM02 UK: Cease Acting as Receiver or Manager
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Part ofCompanies House Forms UK
When an administrative receiver, receiver, or manager steps away from their role within a company, Companies House needs to be told. Form RM02 is the filing used for that purpose, creating an official record that the appointment has ended. It sits alongside the earlier notification filed when the appointment began, closing the loop on the public register.
This page walks through what the form covers, when each part applies, and the practical points to think about before sending it in. If you are dealing with a cessation right now and want to talk it through with someone who handles these filings regularly, an experienced legal adviser from Law Express is available by phone to discuss what you describe and help you think through your next steps.
What this document is
Form RM02 is the notice used to tell Companies House that someone who was acting as an administrative receiver, a receiver, or a manager has stopped acting in that capacity. The person stepping down is the one who signs and files the notice, and the filing becomes part of the company's public record at Companies House.
The form is split into two parts because the rules changed in April 2013. Part A covers cessations that took effect before 6 April 2013, while Part B covers cessations from that date onward. Only one part is completed, depending on when the appointment actually ended.
Although the document itself is short, getting the detail right matters. The company name and number must match the register exactly, the date of cessation has to be accurate, and the form needs to be signed by the outgoing office-holder. Paper filings should be printed at full size on plain A4.
How to use this document
- Confirm which part of the form applies. Check the exact date the appointment ended. If it was before 6 April 2013, complete Part A. If it was on or after that date, complete Part B. Only one section is filled in, and choosing the wrong part can lead to the filing being rejected by Companies House.
- Gather the company and appointment details. You will need the full registered company name and the company number as they appear on the Companies House register. You also need the full name of the person who was appointed and the capacity in which they acted, whether that was as administrative receiver, receiver, or manager.
- Record the cessation date accurately. The date entered must reflect when the appointment genuinely ended, not the date the form is being completed or filed. This date is what Companies House uses to update the public record, so it should match any internal records, court orders, or correspondence that confirm the end of the appointment.
- Sign the form as the outgoing office-holder. The person ceasing to act is the one who signs the notice. The form should be signed in the correct place and dated. Printing should be full size on plain white A4 paper, with no shrinking or scaling, otherwise the filing can be rejected on presentation grounds.
- Send the completed form to Companies House. Submit the signed form to the appropriate Companies House address for the jurisdiction in which the company is registered. Keep a copy of what you send, along with proof of posting if you use the post, so you have a clear record of when the notice was delivered and what it contained.
Common questions
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Common questions
Q Who is responsible for filing Form RM02?
The person who is ceasing to act files the notice. That means the outgoing administrative receiver, receiver, or manager signs and submits the form themselves. It is not filed by the company or by the secured creditor who originally made the appointment, although in practice the office-holder's firm usually handles the administrative side of lodging it with Companies House.
Q What is the difference between Part A and Part B?
The two parts reflect a change in the rules. Part A is used when the cessation date falls before 6 April 2013, and Part B is used when the cessation date falls on or after 6 April 2013. Only one part should be completed on any given form. The cessation date itself determines which part applies, not when the form is being prepared or filed.
Q What is the difference between an administrative receiver, a receiver, and a manager?
An administrative receiver is typically appointed by a secured creditor under a floating charge to take control of the company's assets. A receiver is appointed to recover assets under a security document, often by a lender such as a bank. A manager may be appointed, often alongside a receiver, to run the business while the company's position is worked out.
Q Is there a fee for filing Form RM02?
Filing arrangements and any associated charges can change, so it is sensible to check the current position on gov.uk or with Companies House directly before sending the form. Whether a fee applies may depend on how the form is submitted and the circumstances of the appointment. The gov.uk page for the form will show the most up to date guidance.
Q Can Form RM02 be filed electronically?
Companies House has been expanding its online filing services, but not every insolvency-related form is available through the standard online service. For RM02, many office-holders still file by post. Check the current Companies House guidance for the form to see whether an electronic route is available for your situation before assuming one way or the other.
Q What happens after the form is filed?
Once Companies House accepts the filing, the public register is updated to show that the person named on the form has ceased to act in the stated capacity. This closes the record of that appointment. If other filings are still outstanding, such as final receipts and payments accounts, those remain separate obligations that also need to be dealt with.
Q What if the form is rejected?
Rejections usually come down to practical issues: the wrong part completed, a missing signature, an incorrect company number, or printing problems. Companies House will normally indicate the reason for rejection, allowing a corrected version to be submitted. Keeping a copy of what was sent makes it easier to identify what needs changing on the resubmission.
If you're dealing with this kind of situation, speak to an experienced legal adviser who can walk you through it — from £89.
Sources
This guide is based on primary UK law and official guidance.
- Guidance · UK GovCompanies House Form RM02 on gov.ukgov.uk
- Guidance · Companies HouseCompanies House filing guidancegov.uk
- LegislationInsolvency Act 1986legislation.gov.uk
Legal helpline
Unsure how to handle an RM02 filing?
Ending an appointment as a receiver or manager is straightforward on paper but easy to get wrong if the dates, parties, or sections are not lined up correctly. An experienced legal adviser can talk you through the filing based on what you describe, so you can move ahead with confidence.
- Plain-English answers to your specific questions about the form
- A clear explanation of which part applies to your cessation date
- Practical perspective on what to check before filing
- Help thinking through your next steps based on what you describe
Legal disclaimer
This article is for general information only. It is a tool to help you find your way — not legal advice, and not a substitute for speaking to a qualified adviser about your situation.