Section 59 InformationI1
England, Wales and Scotland
Regulations may require the registrar of companies—
to notify the Regulator of matters specified in the regulations, and
to provide the Regulator with copies of documents specified in the regulations.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
In section 31(2) of the Data Protection Act 1998 (c. 29) (restricted access to data processed for specified purposes)—
in paragraphs (b), (c) and (d), after “charities” insert “ or community interest companies ”, and
in paragraph (b), after “trustees” insert “ , directors ”.
A public authority may disclose to the Regulator, for any purpose connected with the exercise of the Regulator’s functions, information received by the authority in connection with its functions.
The Regulator may disclose to a public authority any information received by the Regulator in connection with the functions of the Regulator—
for a purpose connected with the exercise of those functions, or
for a purpose connected with the exercise by the authority of its functions.
In deciding whether to disclose information to a public authority in a country or territory outside the United Kingdom the Regulator must have regard to the considerations listed in F2section 243F(2) and (3) of the Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40) F3(relevant considerations relating to overseas disclosures), but as if the reference to information of a kind to which section 237 of that Act applies were to information of the kind the Regulator is considering disclosing.
The powers to disclose information in subsections (4) and (5) are subject to—
any restriction on disclosure imposed by or by virtue of an enactment, and
any express restriction on disclosure subject to which information was supplied.
Information may be disclosed under subsection (4) or (5) subject to a restriction on its further disclosure.
A person who discloses information in contravention of a restriction imposed under subsection (8) is guilty of an offence, but a prosecution may be institutedF4—
in England and Wales, only with the consent of the Regulator or the Director of Public Prosecutions;
in Northern Ireland, only with the consent of the Regulator or the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland.
A person guilty of an offence under subsection (9) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.
“Public authority” means a person or body having functions of a public nature.
Annotations
Textual amendments
- F1
S. 59(2) repealed (30.11.2016) by The Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 2016 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2016 (S.I. 2016/1034), art. 1, Sch. 2 Pt. 1
- F2
Words in s. 59(6) substituted (24.5.2024 for specified purposes, 1.1.2025 in so far as not already in force) by Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (c. 13), ss. 326(6)(a), 339(2)(c); S.I. 2024/1226, regs. 1(2), 2(1)(5)(a) (with Sch. para. 19, 20)
- F3
Words in s. 59(6) substituted (24.5.2024 for specified purposes, 1.1.2025 in so far as not already in force) by Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (c. 13), ss. 326(6)(b), 339(2)(c); S.I. 2024/1226, regs. 1(2), 2(1)(5)(a) (with Sch. para. 19, 20)
- F4
Words in s. 59(9) substituted (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. 23 (with art. 11(1))
Commencement
- I1
S. 59 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))