How can you tell if you are dealing with a Limited Liability Company?

It can sometimes be tricky to determine the legal form of the company you are dealing with. However, it has a big impact on how you should trade with the company.

Here are the key ways to identify a Limited Liability Company:

1. Company Name: Look for these suffixes:
   • 'Limited' or 'Ltd' for private limited companies
   • 'Public Limited Company' or 'PLC' for public companies
   • Welsh equivalents: 'Cyfyngedig' or 'Cyf' / 'Cwmni Cyfyngedig Cyhoeddus' or 'CCC'
2. Company Number: All limited companies have a unique company number:
   • 8 digits for England and Wales companies
   • SC followed by 6 digits for Scottish companies
   • NI followed by 6 digits for Northern Ireland companies
3. Official Documents: Limited companies must display on letters, emails, and websites:
   • Full company name
   • Company number
   • Registered office address
   • Place of registration
4. VAT Registration: While not exclusive to limited companies, check if they quote a VAT number (format: GB 123 4567 89)
5. Companies House Search: The definitive check:
   • Search by company name or number
   • Verify the company type shown
   • Check the company status is 'Active'
6. Business Communications: Limited companies often state their status in email signatures and on invoices

Be aware that:

• Sole traders and partnerships may use business names that sound corporate
• Some businesses may falsely imply limited company status
• Always verify through Companies House for certainty