Can you reinstate a company that has been dissolved in the UK?

Yes, it is possible to restore a dissolved company in the UK. This is usually done either through the administrative restoration procedure or through a court order restoration. Both apply to different dissolution circumstances.

1. Administrative Restoration

• This is usually the quicker and easier route. It's available if the company was struck off the register by the Registrar of Companies, usually because of failure to file annual accounts or a confirmation statement.
• Only former directors or shareholders can apply, and this must also be within six years from the date of dissolution;
• Key steps are paying any outstanding fees and penalties-which may include some filing fees or other penalties laid on grounds of non-compliance, and also an application through Form RT01 to Companies House.
• The company must also pay all other filing requirements that have become overdue, including accounts. This, once accepted, will see Companies House reinstate the company to its original status, wherein it would be treated as if it had never been struck off.

2. Restoration by Court Order

• This is the approach taken if the company has been struck off by its directors for non-payment or when the administrative method is no longer available, mainly after the six-year limit.
• Any interested party may apply: creditors, shareholders, or directors. The court will need reasons why the company should be restored; such reasons could be financial, legal, or operational, such as accessing any of its previously owned assets.
• The court issues a restoration order, which is forwarded to Companies House together with a completed form and any fee payable, along with filing any overdue documents. Upon this, Companies House will then restore the company officially to the active register.

Both methods serve the purpose of allowing the company to revert back to their earlier status, thereby allowing the company to reinstate their operations, rights to property, and execute obligations. The process can be a lot easier with the help of a professional attorney who will make sure everything required is present to speed up the process of reinstatement.