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Records of a dissolved company.
When a company is dissolved, its property passes to the Crown. That’s known as bona vacantia.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Every case depends on its own facts and documents.
Who owns what
- Property and other assets owned by a company when it’s dissolved automatically pass to the Crown, or to the Duchy of Lancaster or Duchy of Cornwall if the registered office was in those areas. Intellectual property can be included.
- Former directors don’t keep authority to sell or license the company’s assets after dissolution. Having the old drives doesn’t change that.
- The Crown doesn’t have to deal with an asset in any particular way. Its approval is never automatic.
- In Scotland, ownerless property is dealt with by the King’s and Lord Treasurer’s Remembrancer (KLTR).
Possible routes
- Restoring the company. In some cases a former director or shareholder can apply to have the company restored, administratively within six years or through the courts. A restored company is treated as if it had never been dissolved.
- Dealing with the Crown’s representative. In some cases the relevant body may consider an asset. Ask them directly.
- Before dissolution. By far the easiest time to decide is before the company is struck off. See before a company is dissolved: a digital records checklist.
Preserving what’s left
Don’t wipe or sell devices that may hold company records while restoration or the Crown’s position is being looked at. Being able to see the records doesn’t give anyone the right to deal with them.
Official sources
- GOV.UK: Bona vacantia, dissolved companies (BVC1)
- GOV.UK: Bona Vacantia
- GOV.UK: Restore your dissolved company
- KLTR: Bona vacantia (Scotland)
- GOV.UK: Strike off your company
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