Companies Investigation Branch

The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has powers of investigation where misconduct is suspected and an investigation is considered to be in the public interest.Complaints about companies in England, Scotland and Wales are considered by the Companies Investigation Branch (CIB), which is now part of the Insolvency Service, an executive agency of the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR).

Complaints into the conduct of a company can result in an investigation. Although most investigations are carried out by CIB, some may be dealt with by private sector lawyers, accountants or other specialists.The Companies Investigation Branch cannot investigate companies in Northern Ireland. For information on companies in Northern Ireland contact the Companies Registry Contact Centre on Tel 0845 604 88 88.


Investigations under section 447 of the Companies Act 1985 The most common investigations are carried out under section 447 of the Companies Act 1985. Investigations are confidential and allow suspicions of misconduct to be looked at without risk of harming the business.



Your rights and obligations You will be shown an investigator's identification, which includes a photograph, and their written authorisation to investigate your company and to be granted access to your business premises. You are not entitled to know who made a complaint about your company. Any information requested from you must be produced at a time agreed with the investigator.