Solicitors for Formation of Community Interest Companies

A Community Interest Company (CIC) is a form of social enterprise organisation available as an alternative to registration as a charity, particularly for entities involved in public sector initiatives. In considering establishing a CIC you might normally compare the possibility of establishing a charity – see Charity Formation. CICs have to be registered with the CIC Regulator and their constitutions have to follow statutory patterns. CICs cannot be charities. In many respects CICs are like normal Companies – the essential differences being their supervision by the CIC Regulator and the presence of ‘Asset Lock’ provisions in their constitution (these prevent their assets being appropriated by directors, employees or shareholders).

The benefits of establishing a CIC include:

• Goodwill and possible support from informed social enterprise circles, particularly in the public sector It is commonly believed that CICs are particularly well placed to bid for public sector supply contracts
• Asset lock system will be attractive to those wishing to ensure that their endowments stay where they are intended to remain
• Conventional legal structure of a limited liability company is familiar and favourable toward members, directors, employees and contracting partners

Mounteney Legal Services’ CIC Formation Schemes is particularly suited to the many ministries and groups who wish to establish new CICs on a low budget. The Christian ethos of our firm often resonates with such groups. We can also convert existing entities into CICs – but that is a more complex service that we provide through the traditional channel – please Contact Us to discuss the conversion options, if of interest.

When deciding to use our CIC Formation Service, you should bear in mind that:

• CIC is not a widely recognised brand – it is likely that people will question it
• The Asset Lock can affect decisions on property, dividends and officer pay
• There is intended to be the extra administration of the annual CIC report (although we have no experience of the CIC Regulator enforcing the requirement for the report)

Included in our CIC incorporation service is the first year’s Company Secretarial Service (if required).

Mounteney Legal Services has established numerous CICs; our CIC Formation service (that can be bought on the internet) is intended to be an economical method of establishing a new CIC.

It usually takes about 5 days for our work to conclude, in urgent cases, this can be reduced by a few days at a small extra charge.

Our CIC Formation product comprises; taking your instructions, establishing the CIC, first year’s Company Secretarial Service, if required and a Guidance service.

Your supplier is unregulated Mounteney Legal Services Limited, that does not charge VAT

Our work will be charged at a fixed fee of £300 (this includes the Government registration fee we pay for you).

There is more about our fees on our website here

If you have any questions or require any further information, please don’t hesitate to Contact Us.