Section 46 Removal of directorI1
England, Wales and Scotland
The Regulator may by order remove a director of a community interest company.
If a person has been removed under subsection (1)—
the company may not subsequently appoint him a director of the company, and
any assignment to the person of the office of director of the company is of no effect (even if approved by special resolution of the company).
The Regulator may by order suspend a director of the company pending a decision whether to remove him.
The maximum period for which a director may be suspended under subsection (3) is one year.
If the Regulator suspends a director under subsection (3) the Regulator may give directions in relation to the performance of the director’s functions.
The Regulator may discharge an order made under subsection (1).
The discharge of an order made under subsection (1) does not reinstate the person removed by the order as a director of the company, but on the discharge of the order subsection (2) ceases to apply to the person.
The Regulator must from time to time review any order made under subsection (3) and, if it is appropriate to do so, discharge the order.
Before making an order under subsection (1) or (3) in relation to a director, the Regulator must give at least 14 days' notice to—
the director, and
the company.
Where an order is made in relation to a director under subsection (1) or (3) the director may appeal against the order—
in England and Wales F1or Northern Ireland, to the High Court, or
in Scotland, to the Court of Session.
The Regulator must, before the end of the period of 14 days beginning with the date on which—
an order under subsection (1) is made or discharged,
an order under subsection (3) is made or discharged or expires, or
an order under subsection (1) or (3) is quashed on appeal,
give notification of that event to the registrar of companies in a form approved by the registrar of companies.
Where subsection (11) imposes an obligation to notify the registrar of companies of an event, F2section 167G(1) of the Companies Act 2006 (duty to notify registrar of change in directors) does not apply in respect of the event.
Annotations
Textual amendments
- F1
Words in s. 46(10)(a) inserted (6.4.2007) by The Companies Act 2006 (Commencement No. 2, Consequential Amendments, Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/1093), art. 1(3), Sch. 4 para. 14(a) (with art. 11(1))
- F2
Words in s. 46(12) substituted (18.11.2025) by The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (Consequential, Incidental and Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/1037), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 1(3); S.I. 2025/1118, reg. 2(1)(g)
Commencement
- I1
S. 46 in force at 1.7.2005 by S.I. 2004/3322, art. 2(3), Sch. 3
Notes on Part 2
Modifications
- C1
Pt. 2 modified (1.1.2007 for specified purposes, 20.1.2007 for specified purposes, 6.4.2007 for specified purposes, 1.10.2007 for specified purposes, 1.11.2007 for specified purposes, 15.12.2007 for specified purposes, 6.4.2008 for specified purposes, 1.10.2008 for specified purposes, 1.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1161-1171, 1173, 1174, 1300(2), Sch. 7, Sch. 8; S.I. 2006/3428, art. 2(2)(f)(g), 3(2)(c)(d)(3) (with arts. 6 8(2)); S.I. 2007/1093, art. 2(1)(d)(2)(h) (with art. 6 art. 8(2) art. 4 11(1)); S.I. 2007/2194, arts. 2(3)(k), 3(2)(c), 4(2)(a) (with arts. 4, 6, 7, 8(2), 11(1), 12, Sch. 1 para. 21); S.I. 2007/3495, art. 3(1)(o)-(r), (t)(3)(i)(j), 5(3)(b)(c) (with arts. 7, 12); S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(u) (with arts. 7, 8, Sch. 2 para. 1)
- C2
Pt. 2 extended (Northern Ireland) (1.1.2007 for specified purposes, 20.1.2007 for specified purposes, 6.4.2007 in so far as not already in force) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1284(1), 1300(2); S.I. 2006/3428, arts. 2(2)(h), 3(2)(e), 4(3)(c) (with arts. 6, 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 15) (which transitional provisions in Sch. 1 are revoked (1.10.2009) by S.I. 2008/2860, arts. 1(2), 6(1)(a) (with arts. 5, 8, Sch. 2)); S.I. 2007/1093, art. 2(1)(e) (with arts. 3, 4, 7, 11(1), 12); S.I. 2006/3428, arts. 2(2)(h), 3(2)(e), 4(3)(c) (with arts. 6, 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 15) (which transitional provisions in Sch. 1 are revoked (1.10.2009) by S.I. 2008/2860, arts. 1(2), 6(1)(a) (with arts. 5, 8, Sch. 2)); S.I. 2007/1093, art. 2(1)(e) (with arts. 3, 4, 7 11(1), 12)
- C3
Pt. 2 excluded (20.1.2007 for specified purposes, 6.4.2007 for specified purposes, 1.10.2007 for specified purposes, 6.4.2008 for specified purposes, 1.10.2008 for specified purposes, 1.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1129, 1300(2) (with s. 1133); S.I. 2006/3428, art. 3(2)(b) (with arts. 6, 8(2)); S.I. 2007/1093, art. 2(2)(c) (with arts. 4, 11(1)); S.I. 2007/2194, art. 2(1)(l)(3)(h) (with arts. 7, 12); S.I. 2007/3495, arts. 3(3)(g), 5(3)(a) (with arts. 7, 12); S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(s) (with arts. 7, 8, Sch. 2 para. 1)
- C4
Pt. 2 modified (20.1.2007 for specified purposes, 1.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 583, 1300(2); S.I. 2006/3428, art. 3(3) (with arts. 6, 8(2)); S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(k) (with arts. 7, 8, Sch. 2 paras. 1, 57)
- C5
Pt. 2 restricted (20.1.2007 for specified purposes, 1.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1156(2), 1300(2); S.I. 2006/3428, art. 3(3) (with arts. 6, 8(2)); S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(t) (with arts. 7, 8, Sch. 2 para. 1)
- C6
Pt. 2 power to apply (with modifications) conferred (20.1.2007) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1043(2), 1300(2); S.I. 2006/3428, art. 3(3) (with arts. 6, 8(2))
- C7
Pt. 2 modified (20.1.2007 for specified purposes, 1.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1081(6), 1300(2); S.I. 2006/3428, art. 3(3) (with arts. 6, 8(2)); S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(r) (with arts. 7, 8, Sch. 2 para. 1105) (which transitional provisions in Sch. 2 are substituted (1.10.2009) by S.I. 2009/1802, arts. 1, 18, Sch.)
- C8
Pt. 2 power to apply conferred (20.1.2007) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1042(1), 1300(2); S.I. 2006/3428, art. 3(3) (with arts. 6, 8(2))
- C9
Pt. 2 modified (20.1.2007 for specified purposes, 6.4.2007 for specified purposes, 1.10.2007 for specified purposes, 6.4.2008 for specified purposes, 1.10.2008 for specified purposes, 1.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1125(1), 1300(2) (with s. 1133); S.I. 2006/3428, art. 3(2)(b) (with arts. 6, 8(2)); S.I. 2007/1093, art. 2(2)(c) (with arts. 4 11(1)); S.I. 2007/2194, art. 2(1)(l)(3)(h) (with arts. 7 12); S.I. 2007/3495, arts. 3(3)(g), 5(3)(a) (with arts. 7, 12); S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(s) (with arts. 7, 8, Sch. 2 para. 1)
- C10
Pt. 2 modified (20.1.2007 for specified purposes, 6.4.2007 for specified purposes, 1.10.2007 for specified purposes, 6.4.2008 for specified purposes, 1.10.2008 for specified purposes, 1.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1131, 1300(2) (with s. 1133); S.I. 2006/3428, art. 3(2)(b) (with arts. 6, 8(2)); S.I. 2007/1093, art. 2(2)(c) (with arts. 4 11(1)); S.I. 2007/2194, art. 2(1)(l)(3)(h) (with arts. 7, 12); S.I. 2007/3495, arts. 3(3)(g), 5(3)(a) (with arts. 7, 12); S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(s) (with arts. 7, 8, Sch. 2 para. 1)
- C11
Pt. 2 modified (6.4.2007 for specified purposes, 1.10.2007 for specified purposes, 1.11.2007 for specified purposes, 6.4.2008 for specified purposes, 1.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 546, 1300(2); S.I. 2007/1093, art. 2(2)(a) (with arts. 4 11(1)); S.I. 2007/2194, arts. 2(3)(e), 3(2)(a) (with arts. 7 12); S.I. 2007/3495, art. 3(3)(d) (with arts. 7, 12); S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(k) (with arts. 7, 8, Sch. 2 para. 1)
- C12
Pt. 2 modified (6.4.2007 for specified purposes, 1.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 558, 1300(2) (with s. 559); S.I. 2007/1093, art. 2(2)(b) (with arts. 4, 11(1)); S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(k) (with arts. 7, 8, Sch. 2 para. 1)
- C13
Pt. 2 modified (6.4.2007 for specified purposes, 1.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), s. 1060(3)(4), 1300(2); S.I. 2006/3428, art. 4(3)(a) (with arts. 6 8(2)); S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(r) (with arts. 7, 8, Sch. 2 para. 1)
- C14
Pt. 2 modified (6.4.2007) by The Companies Acts (Unregistered Companies) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/318), regs. 1(2), 4, 5 (with reg. 6)
- C15
Pt. 2 modified (1.10.2007 for specified purposes, 6.4.2008 for specified purposes, 1.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), s. 540(1)(4), 1300(2); S.I. 2007/2194, art. 2(3)(c) (with arts. 7, 12); S.I. 2007/3495, art. 3(3)(b) (with arts. 7, 12); S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(k) (with arts. 7, 8, Sch. 2 para. 1)
- C16
Pt. 2 modified (1.10.2007) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 288(1), 1300(2) (with s. 281(4)); S.I. 2007/2194, art. 2(1)(f) (with arts. 7, 12, Sch. 1 para. 13, Sch. 3 para. 24) (which transitional provisions in Sch. 1 are amended (6.4.2008) by S.I. 2007/3495, art. 10(1)(b) (with S.I. 2008/674, arts. 2(3), 5, Sch. 3 para. 4) and revoked (1.10.2009) by S.I. 2008/2860, art. 6(1)(c)(2) (with art. 8, Sch. 2))
- C17
Pt. 2 modified (1.10.2007 for specified purposes, 1.11.2007 for specified purposes, 1.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1158, 1300(2); S.I. 2007/2194, arts. 2(3)(i), 3(2)(b) (with arts. 7 12 Sch. 1 para. 21) (which transitional provisions in Sch. 1 are revoked (1.10.2009) by S.I. 2008/2860, art. 6(1)(c)(2) (with art. 8, Sch. 2)); S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(u) (with arts. 7, 8, Sch. 2 para. 1)
- C18
Pt. 2 modified (1.10.2007 for specified purposes, 6.4.2008 for specified purposes, 1.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 545, 1300(2); S.I. 2007/2194, art. 2(3)(d) (with arts. 7, 12); S.I. 2007/3495, art. 3(3)(c) (with arts. 7, 12); S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(k) (with arts. 7, 8, Sch. 2 para. 1)
- C19
Pt. 2 modified (1.10.2007 for specified purposes, 6.4.2008 for specified purposes, 1.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 629, 1300(2); S.I. 2007/2194, art. 2(3)(g) (with arts. 7, 12); S.I. 2007/3495, art. 3(3)(f) (with arts. 7, 12); S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(k) (with arts. 7, 8, Sch. 2 para. 1)
- C20
Pt. 2 modified (1.10.2007 for specified purposes, 6.4.2008 for specified purposes, 1.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 548, 1300(2); S.I. 2007/2194, art. 2(3)(f) (with arts. 7, 12); S.I. 2007/3495, art. 3(3)(e) (with arts. 7, 12); S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(k) (with arts. 7, 8, Sch. 2 para. 1)
- C21
Pt. 2 modified (6.4.2008) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 437(3), 1300(2); S.I. 2007/3495, art. 3(1)(d) (with arts. 7 9 12 Sch. 4 para. 6)
- C22
Pt. 2 modified (6.4.2008) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 738, 1300(2); S.I. 2007/3495, art. 3(1)(g) (with arts. 7 12)
- C23
Pt. 2 modified (1.10.2009) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1(1), 547, 724(5), 1044, 1300(2); S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(a) (with arts. 7, 8, Sch. 2 para. 1)
- C24
Pt. 2 modified by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1170A, 1170B (as inserted (1.10.2009) by The Companies Act 2006 (Consequential Amendments, Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/1941), art. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 260(8) (with art. 10))
- C25
Pt. 2 extended (1.10.2009) by The Companies Act 2006 (Consequential Amendments, Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/1941), art. 1(2), Sch. 3 para. 2 (with art. 10)
- C26
Pt. 2 restricted (1.10.2009) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1118, 1300(2); S.I. 2008/2860, art. 3(r) (with arts. 7, 8, Sch. 2 para. 1)
- C27
Pt. 2 applied (with modifications) (1.10.2009) by The Unregistered Companies Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/2436), regs. 1(2), 3-5, Sch. 1 para. 21 (with regs. 7, 9, Sch. 2)
- C28
Pt. 2 extended (12.5.2011) by The Companies Act 2006 (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/1265), art. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 2
- C29
Pt. 2 modified (31.12.2020) by Regulation (EC) No. 2157/2001, Art. AAA1(3) (as inserted by The European Public Limited-Liability Company (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/1298), regs. 1, 97 (with regs. 140-145) (as amended by S.I. 2020/523, regs. 1(2), 5(a)-(f)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1))