Jordans blazes a trail with UK's first XML company formation

From October 2009, all companies must be formed using a computer language called XML as part of the Companies Act 2006 which will replace the current email system.

And Paul Townsend, Director of Corporate Services at Jordans, which has been forming companies for over 140 years, has warned that the changeover will be immediate.

“For decades, company formation was a purely paper-based process,” he said.

“Then with the advent of email, the process went electronic and in 1998, Jordans was the first in the field to form a company by electronic means.

“More recently, security concerns among some Companies House users means that XML is now being made mandatory, and I am pleased to say that once again, we have been proactive and are the first to successfully use the new technology to form a company.”

Not only will this change affect company formations, but by October 2009 any documents currently filed electronically with Companies House, including annual returns and accounts, will have to be sent using XML. This could mean that companies would be in default if they or their service provider are not set up to use XML and therefore did not file relevant documents on time.  

XML will directly affect any company or organisation using current technology and will mean that they will have to adapt their systems to cope or they will not be able to send documents electronically.

Paul Townsend added: “This kind of proactivity is doubly important in the switch to XML, as the Government has said that the change will take immediate effect, and that there will be no ‘grace’ in terms of being able to continue to use email for a limited period after October 2009.”

ENDS              17th July


For further information please contact Neil Fraser, Sturgess Van Damme on 01275 349011 or email  neil@sturgessvandamme.co.uk