Register Business Name

[dulcie12]

I want to setp a small business by myself, simply personal training and nutirtion advice and possibly selling some of my plans on the net. I have decided on a business name but do I need to register it? The name is related to the business and is not my name.

For example... "reform" not "jane smith"

Do I HAVE to register the name?

Holly

[Buenchico]

Assuming that you'll be operating as a sole trader, the simple answer to your question is; "No".

However you should ensure that any 'official' documents, such as invoices, include your own name. (For example: "Dulcie Smith, T/A Life Ahead").

Chris

[Skyline D]

So far as I am aware there's no requirement at all for invoices or anything else to have your own name on them if you are trading under a business name. Have to disagree with Chris on that one.

[Teleph0ne]

You can put what ever you want on your invoices or cards etc you only have to register as self employed and you can choose to give the inland revenue a trading as name or not, it doesn't effect anything. The only time you need to register a trading name etc is if you want a ltd company

[Buenchico]

For Skyline D:
Let's suppose that 'Life Ahead', which is a business run by Dulcie Smith as a sole trader, defaults upon a payment to someone. That person must know who to commence legal proceeding against. ('Life Ahead' can't be sued because it's not a legal entity, in the way that a limited company is. The action must be brought against Dulcie Smith).

For that reason, the law requires that Dulcie Smith must include her name "in legible characters on all business letters, written orders for goods or services to be supplied to the business, invoices and receipts issued in the course of the business and written demands for payment of debts arising in the course of the business".

Business Names Act 1985:
http://www.statutelaw...670913&filesize=44233

Chris

[boxtops]

Is there a requirement to make sure that somebody else isn't trading under the same name? I seem to recall a very large company getting upset because a sole trader was using a very similar trading name.

[Buenchico]

Hi Boxtops:

There's no specific requirement to ensure that another business isn't already trading under the same (or a similar) name. For example, there are probably loads of taxi firms called 'A2B' all over the country. (I'd be prepared to be that there are lots of hairdressers using names like 'A Cut Above' as well).

However 'passing off' goods or services (by making it seem that they're provided by another company) is unlawful. If 'A2B Taxis' is already successfully trading in one town, the firm could take legal action (to prevent their business being stolen by confused customers) if 'A2B Taxis' opens up in the same town.

Chris

[Skyline D]

Stand corrected Chris, shouldn't have doubted you. I knew they needed to name partners on the letterhead but didn't appreciate it applied to invoices as well.