The Companies Act 2006 introduced several changes to the way companies are formed and operate.

All companies are required to adopt Articles of Association when they incorporate. The Companies Act 2006 introduced new Model Articles. The Model Articles apply to private and public companies incorporated on or after 1 October 2009 who choose to adopt them in their entirety or with amendments.

The Model Articles replace Table A as default Articles; however the Model Articles do not affect existing companies (companies incorporated before 1 October 2009) unless they choose to adopt them.

Existing companies can choose to change their current Articles of Association or adopt a completely new set of Articles by special resolution, to bring them in line with changes in the law as expressed in the Model Articles.

These templates of Articles of Association - Private Companies Limited by Shares are based on the Model Articles and are fully compliant with the Companies Act 2006.

These Articles of Association can be used by new private companies limited by shares on incorporation or by existing private companies limited by shares that want to replace their current Articles of Association by adopting the new Model Articles in order to take advantage of the changes introduced.

For Articles of Association for Public Companies see: Articles of Association - Public Companies; and for Articles of Association for Private Companies Limited by Guarantee see: Articles of Association - Private Companies Limited by Guarantee.

These Articles of Association - Private Companies Limited by Shares are in Microsoft Word format, written in plain English easy to use and edit.