Running a UK Economic Interest Grouping (UKEIG) comes with a range of administrative responsibilities, and staying on top of your filing obligations is essential to maintaining good legal standing. Despite being a flexible and collaborative structure, a UKEIG must still comply with specific reporting and disclosure rules, especially with Companies House.
Filing mistakes can lead to fines, legal complications, or even involuntary removal from the register. In this post, we look at the five most common filing errors made by UKEIGs and how to avoid them.
1. Missing the Annual Return Deadline
Unlike limited companies, UKEIGs are not required to file statutory accounts, but they must submit an annual return each year to Companies House. This return confirms key details about the grouping, including:
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The registered address
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The list of members and managers
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Whether the UKEIG is still active
Failing to file the annual return on time can lead to warnings, penalties, or even a notice of strike-off. Unfortunately, because UKEIGs are less common than companies, these deadlines can sometimes be overlooked.
How to avoid it:
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Set up calendar reminders at least a month before your anniversary date
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Assign filing responsibility clearly to a named manager or secretary
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Use Companies House email alerts to track your filing deadlines
2. Incorrect or Outdated Member Records
Whenever a member joins or leaves the UKEIG, you must file the appropriate form to keep the official public record up to date. This includes:
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Form EE MP01 – Appointment of a new member
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Form EE MP02 – Cessation of membership
It’s surprisingly common for groupings to forget to update Companies House when a project phase ends or a partner organisation drops out. This can create confusion and leave former members liable for debts they thought they had exited.
How to avoid it:
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Review your Companies House records every quarter to ensure accuracy
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Log all membership changes in your internal minutes and follow up with filings
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Notify departing members of the formal cessation process in writing
3. Not Filing Manager Appointments or Resignations
Every UKEIG must have at least one officially registered manager. When managers are appointed or step down, Companies House must be informed using:
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Form EE AP01 – Appointment of manager
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Form EE TM01 – Termination of manager’s appointment
Failure to file these changes can create problems in legal disputes or contractual arrangements, especially if an unregistered manager signs an agreement on the UKEIG’s behalf.
How to avoid it:
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Always include Companies House filing on the agenda for management meetings
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Prepare appointment/resignation paperwork as part of the onboarding/offboarding process
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Keep a checklist of required forms for every structural change
4. Neglecting to Publish Notices in The Gazette
Certain changes—such as a change of membership, a notice of dissolution, or removal of a manager—may also require publication in The Gazette, the official public record of the UK government. This is a legal obligation that many small UKEIGs are unaware of.
Failure to publish required notices may delay changes taking legal effect, or even invalidate parts of the process.
How to avoid it:
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Check Companies House guidance on whether your filing also needs a Gazette notice
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Assign responsibility for Gazette submissions to a named individual
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Keep records of published notices for future reference
5. Failing to Update the Registered Address
Your UKEIG’s registered office address must always be a current, valid UK address capable of receiving legal and government correspondence. If you move premises or switch to a virtual address, you must file Form EE AD01 with Companies House.
An out-of-date address can lead to missed legal notices, which in turn can result in serious issues such as penalties, tax non-compliance, or being struck off the register.
How to avoid it:
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Review your registered address annually, especially if your operations change
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Ensure the address is monitored for post and email notifications
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Use a professional registered address service if the grouping has no fixed office