Pay an invoice 0300 303 2071

A company’s legal representative has the authority to sign documents, enter into contracts and make decisions on behalf of a business. In some cases, they can also be liable for debts and legal issues. A UK company may have different legal representatives for different aspects of the business.

A company director is generally a company’s legal representative for corporate and commercial matters. A company can also appoint others to act on its behalf. This can include a solicitor or barrister to represent it in legal proceedings.

A company can also make internal appointments giving individuals responsibility for legal compliance, such as managing data and observing GDPR rules. It may also appoint a corporate representative to attend and vote at general meetings.

Person handing a ribboned document across a desk, showing what a company legal representative does

In the UK, a company’s main legal representatives are its directors. They will share responsibilities in accordance with the corporate documentation. Their key responsibilities are:

  • Dealing with the management of the company, including entering into contracts, arranging financing and paying bills
  • Ensuring the company is legally compliant, including filing accounts, paying tax and complying with health and safety legislation and data protection rules
  • Acting in the company’s best interests, dealing with matters in good faith and promoting its success

Company directors and company secretaries are appointed by the company, either on its creation or during its existence. A company director must be at least 16 and cannot be disqualified from being a director, either by court order or regulatory body, unless they have authority of the court.

They cannot be an undischarged bankrupt, unless they have the permission of the court, and they cannot be the company’s auditor.

A company’s director can be personally liable for losses if they breach their statutory duties, if fraudulent trading occurs or if they supply personal guarantees.

They are considered to have a sound understanding of the company and will be held to account in the event of issues such as health and safety failures, regulatory enforcement and bribery and corruption.

Company directors are accountable for the actions of the business, including legal compliance, payment of tax and minimising legal risk. It is important to choose someone who is organised and has the expertise to deal with the wide range of obligations a director takes on.

If a business experiences difficulties, the director needs to be able to make the right decisions, protect the company so far as possible and stay legally compliant.

A private company must have at least one director, and a public company must have at least two. When engaged in legal proceedings, it will also need a solicitor or barrister to represent it.

As the legal representative, a company’s director has the authority to make business decisions, decide on strategy, take on loans, engage staff, lease or purchase premises and sign contracts.

Where a company director wishes to delegate authority for a while, for example, if they will be incapacitated or away, they can enter into a business power of attorney. This can give the nominated attorney the authority specified in the power of attorney document, which could be the power to:

  • Access bank accounts to pay suppliers, staff and other bills
  • Manage investments
  • Sign contracts
  • Deal with the day-to-day operation of the business
  • Instruct professionals, such as solicitors and accountants
  • Deal with compliance issues, such as filing of accounts and liaising with HMRC

Woman at a laptop with a blank form, appointing a company’s legal representative

Appointing a new director requires approval by a resolution of the board or an ordinary shareholder resolution, depending on what the company’s articles of association and shareholders’ agreement require.

Form AP01 is then filed with Companies House, notifying them of the appointment. This must be done within 14 days of the date of the appointment.

New directors must provide verification of their identity before their appointment is notified to Companies House. This can be done via Gov.uk’s verifying your identity for Companies House service or through an authorised ID service.

The company’s internal register of directors should also be updated immediately.

Directors should not carry out any action on behalf of the company until their identity is verified, as acting after the deadline without verification is an offence.

In a small to medium-sized business, the directors will usually be those who started the business. As the company grows, the company foundation documents will set out how a new director can be added, for example, by majority vote.

Contact Our Corporate Solicitors

If you need advice, representation, or guidance in respect of your company’s legal representative you can speak to one of our experienced corporate solicitors.

For more information on our services, see our corporate solicitors page.

To speak to one of our experienced corporate solicitors, ring us on 0300 303 2071, email us at info@witansolicitors.co.uk or fill in our contact form and we will talk through your situation with you and discuss how we can assist. We have offices in Birmingham, Northampton, London and Wellingborough.

Last Reviewed: Qarrar Somji, October 2026

Our other news & insights