1. Confirm the legal identity
Check the exact registered name and company number. Trading names can differ, but the company number identifies the legal entity.
2. Review company status
Confirm whether the company is active and look for insolvency, liquidation, strike-off or dissolution information.
3. Examine the registered address
Consider whether the address is consistent with the business and whether many unrelated companies use the same location.
4. Review directors and officers
Look at current and previous appointments, tenure and connections to other companies.
5. Understand significant control
Review persons with significant control and distinguish ownership or control from day-to-day directorship.
6. Read the filing history
Look for overdue filings, repeated changes, accounts, charges and events that may deserve explanation.
7. Consider connected entities
Companies, officers and addresses should be assessed together rather than as isolated records.