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Form CC05 UK: Change Company Constitution by Enactment

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Part ofCompanies House Forms UK

Written by Brad Askew Solicitor (non-practising)
Brad is on the roll of solicitors of England & Wales but does not hold a practising certificate and does not provide legal advice.
Updated June 2026 · England & Wales
When the constitution of a UK company is altered by an enactment, meaning a change brought about by legislation rather than a shareholder resolution or court order, Companies House needs to be told. Form CC05 is the filing used to notify the registrar that a statutory change has taken effect, and it sits alongside a copy of the relevant enactment or a written statement describing what has changed. Getting this right matters because the public register should always reflect the current governing rules of your company. This page walks through what CC05 is for, when it applies, how the filing fits together, and the practical points that tend to trip people up. It is written for directors, company secretaries, and advisers who want a clear picture before they file.

What this document is

Form CC05 is the Companies House filing used to report a change to a company's constitution where that change has been brought about by an enactment, such as an Act of Parliament or a piece of secondary legislation. It is not the form to use when shareholders pass a special resolution to amend the articles, nor is it for changes ordered by a court, which have their own separate filings.

The company's constitution includes its articles of association and any resolutions or agreements that affect those articles. If legislation alters how your company's governing rules operate, that change must be recorded on the public register so third parties, lenders, investors, and the public can see the current position.

Alongside the form, you normally file a copy of the enactment itself or a written statement setting out the changes made, so Companies House can update the record accurately. The form is short, but the documents that sit behind it need care.

How to use this document

  1. Confirm the change is by enactment. Before picking CC05, check that the change to your constitution genuinely comes from legislation rather than a resolution of members, a court order, or a provision within the articles themselves. Choosing the wrong form causes rejection and delays, so it is worth being clear about the legal trigger before filing anything with Companies House.
  2. Prepare the supporting document. You will need either a copy of the enactment that caused the change or a written statement describing the alteration to the constitution. The statement should be clear, accurate, and sufficient for a reader to understand how the company's governing rules have been affected. Keep a signed copy for your own records alongside the filing.
  3. Complete the CC05 form. Fill in the company name, company number, and the details required to identify the change. Make sure the company details match exactly what is on the public register, because mismatches are a common reason for paperwork being returned. The form should be signed by a director, secretary, or other authorised person.
  4. Submit to Companies House. File the completed CC05 along with the supporting document by post to the relevant Companies House address. Check the current gov.uk guidance for the correct filing address and any fee that may apply, since these details can change. Keep proof of postage and a copy of everything submitted.
  5. Check the register is updated. Once Companies House has processed the filing, the updated constitution position should be visible on the public register. Review the company record to confirm the change has been recorded correctly. If anything looks wrong, contact Companies House promptly so corrections can be made before the inaccurate position causes difficulties.

Common questions

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Common questions

Q When do I use CC05 rather than another form?
CC05 is specifically for constitutional changes that happen because of an enactment, such as legislation altering how your company's rules operate. If the change comes from a members' special resolution, you would typically file the resolution and a copy of the amended articles instead. Court-ordered changes use a different filing route. Checking the legal source of the change first avoids filing the wrong form.
Q What counts as a company's constitution?
A company's constitution includes its articles of association, any resolutions or agreements affecting the articles, and certain other documents specified by the Companies Act 2006. The articles are usually the central document, setting out how decisions are made, how shares work, and the powers of directors. When legislation changes any part of this framework, Companies House needs to know.
Q Do I need to send the actual legislation with the form?
You generally need to file either a copy of the enactment that caused the change or a written statement describing the alteration. The purpose is to give Companies House and anyone inspecting the register enough information to understand what has changed. A clear written statement is often the simpler option, provided it accurately captures the effect of the legislation.
Q Is there a fee for filing CC05?
Filing fees at Companies House can change, and some constitutional filings attract a charge while others do not. Before you post the form, check the current fee position on gov.uk so you can include the correct payment if one is required. Sending the wrong amount, or no payment when one is due, is a common cause of filings being returned.
Q How long does Companies House take to process CC05?
Paper filings generally take longer than online submissions, and CC05 is a paper form. Processing times vary depending on workload at Companies House, so it is worth allowing several working days at least. You can check whether the change has been recorded by looking at the company record on the public register once some time has passed.
Q What happens if the filing is rejected?
Companies House may reject a filing if the form is incomplete, signed by the wrong person, missing the supporting document, or if the company details do not match the register. If that happens, the registrar normally explains the reason so you can correct the issue and resubmit. The constitutional change still needs to be reported, so rejected filings should be fixed promptly.
Q Does the change take effect when I file CC05?
No. A constitutional change brought about by an enactment takes effect when the legislation itself takes effect, not when Companies House receives the form. The filing is about updating the public record so it reflects the current legal position. That said, keeping the register accurate matters for third parties dealing with the company.
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.

Brad Askew, Solicitor (non-practising)

Written & reviewed by

Brad Askew Solicitor (non-practising)

Brad is on the roll of solicitors of England & Wales but does not hold a practising certificate and does not provide legal advice. LegalDocuments.co.uk is not a law firm and does not provide regulated legal advice.

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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.