A company's members

The Companies Act requires that all companies must keep a register of members in which is entered:

• Names and addresses of the members
• The date on which each person was registered as a member
• The date on which any person ceased to be a member

Where the company has a share capital the register should also include the number and classification of shares held and the amount paid or agreed to be considered as paid on the shares of each member. The register should be available for inspection at the registered office or at a place specified in regulations under section 1136.

Where there are more than 50 members a company must keep an index of the name of members of the company.

The register and index of members' names must be open for inspection to any member without charge or any other person on payment of a prescribed fee.

A company with share capital may keep a branch register of members resident there, if it transacts business in a country or territory which is any part of Her Majesty's dominions outside the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, and a range of more than 20 countries including, Cyprus, Hong Kong, Ireland, Kenya, Malaysia, Malta, Singapore, South Africa and Sri Lanka. In these circumstances a duplicate register must be available for inspection in the UK.