Registry Data - No delays or shutdowns have been reported at the local registry however we are still monitoring the situation daily for any changes. It is still likely there will be less publications now and in the near future posted to the local registry due to some companies closing. However Companies House is largely based on e-fillings therefore not expecting large reductions in volumes. From the 25 March 2020, UK businesses will be able to apply for a 3-month extension for filing their accounts. This grace of an additional 3 months to file is to help companies avoid penalties as they deal with the impact of COVID-19.
Update 15/09/2020 - From 27 June 2020, more companies will now be eligible for an extension to their accounts filing deadline. Companies House will now extend a company’s filing deadline if it falls any time from 27 June 2020 to 5 April 2021 (including these dates). If a company has already been granted an extension due to COVID-19 they are not permitted to apply for an additional extension.
Adverse Data – Courts are slowing down and less hearings are being carried out due to the situation.
CCJ Data - The Registry Trust has provided an update that they have received notification from the County Court Money Claims Centre (CCMCC), advising that they have implemented a rota for their staff to work a week, then have a week off. This ensures staff can distance themselves from each other within the office. This has significantly reduced their resource, which will impact the number of judgments they are able to process in the short term. The Money Claims Contact Centre also have significant reduced staff resource. Many Judgments are now lodged online however they are expecting a reduction in judgments in the coming weeks due to these staff shortages as well as the number of claimants lodging the judgments.
Update 09/06/2020 - The Registry Trust are continuing to see a diminished but steady supply of data from courts in England and Wales, which is likely to continue in the short-term. They are still predicting a significant uplift in judgment numbers shortly after forbearance comes to an end.
The Scottish Court Service have now started to send through decrees again, in keeping with their phased return to normal working.
Useful Links:
Scottish Courts & Tribunals - Sheriff Courts Business Update 01/06/20
Coronavirus guidance for Companies House customers, employees and suppliers.
COVID-19: guidance for employees, employers and businesses.
County Court Money Claims Centre document processing times
Companies House filing extension