The Gazette is the UK’s official public journal of record, published online at thegazette.co.uk. It’s used to formally record key legal and statutory notices.
There are three editions:
- The London Gazette (for England and Wales)
- The Edinburgh Gazette (for Scotland)
- The Belfast Gazette (for Northern Ireland)
Every day, it publishes thousands of notices relating to government, business and the courts, including:
- Company formations and dissolutions
- Appointments of administrators or liquidators
- Creditors’ meetings and insolvency petitions
- Changes to company structure or ownership
- Notices to creditors under the Insolvency Act 1986
It’s a public, permanent record of key legal events and that includes insolvency proceedings.
Why is The Gazette important in insolvency?
Insolvency law requires transparency. The Gazette acts as the official communication channel between the company, the courts, creditors and the public.
Publishing notices here ensures that everyone with a potential claim or interest is properly informed. This fulfils the legal duty to make the process open and fair. For example:
- When a winding-up petition is filed, it must be advertised in The Gazette
- When a company enters liquidation or administration, the appointment of the insolvency practitioner is published
- When a company is to be struck off the register, Companies House places a notice in The Gazette before the removal takes effect
These notices aren’t optional. They’re required by law because they serve as official confirmation that the process is underway.
What happens when your company is listed in The Gazette
Seeing your company name appear in The Gazette often means one of three things:
- Creditors are taking action
A creditor (often HMRC) may have issued a winding-up petition, which is formally advertised in The Gazette after a short waiting period. This is often the final warning sign before the company is forced into Compulsory Liquidation. - You’ve entered liquidation or administration voluntarily
In a Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation (CVL) or Administration, your insolvency practitioner must publish the appointment in The Gazette. This informs creditors that the process is official and that they should submit claims to your licensed insolvency practitioner. - Companies House is striking off your company
If a company has applied for voluntary dissolution, or if Companies House intends to remove it from the register, a notice will appear in The Gazette. Creditors then have the chance to object. For example, if there are unpaid debts or ongoing legal matters.
How Gazette notices affect directors
For directors, publication in The Gazette is both a formality and a signal. It confirms that the insolvency or strike-off process has formally begun, meaning certain legal responsibilities have shifted from you to the insolvency practitioner (or to the Official Receiver, in Compulsory Liquidation).
However, it also means your company’s situation is now public. Banks, suppliers and even clients may see the notice. Acting quickly to communicate and seek professional advice can help you manage the impact on your reputation and any future business plans.
If the company is solvent and closing via a Members’ Voluntary Liquidation (MVL), publication is simply part of the process. It confirms the appointment of the liquidator and invites creditors to submit any final claims.
How The Gazette protects creditors and the public
The Gazette isn’t designed to shame companies. Its purpose is to create a transparent, searchable record that protects everyone involved. For example:
- Creditors can check The Gazette to confirm if a company they’re owed money by has entered liquidation or administration.
- Employees can verify who the appointed insolvency practitioner is and where to submit claims.
- Investors and suppliers can confirm the legal status of companies they deal with.
It’s also a key part of how insolvency practitioners meet their legal obligations under the Insolvency Act 1986 and Insolvency Rules 2016, ensuring notices are made available to all potential creditors, even those who might not have been directly contacted.
What information appears in a Gazette insolvency notice?
The level of detail depends on the type of notice, but typically includes:
- The company name and registered number
- The date and nature of the insolvency event
- The name and contact details of the insolvency practitioner
- Instructions for creditors to submit claims or attend meetings
- The registered address and any trading names
These notices are indexed and permanently accessible online, meaning anyone can view them, even years after the company has closed.
The Gazette and strike-offs
If you’ve applied to strike off your company, Companies House will publish a notice in The Gazette announcing your intention to dissolve.
Many directors assume this means the company is already gone, but that’s not the case. The notice opens a public objection period, usually two months long. During this time:
- Creditors (including HMRC or lenders) can object
- The strike-off can be suspended
- The company remains legally active until the process completes
Only after the objection window closes without challenge does Companies House publish a second notice confirming that the company has been dissolved. If objections arise the process can stall, sometimes for months. At that point, moving to a formal Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation may be faster and safer.
Can a company be restored after being listed in The Gazette?
Yes. Even after dissolution, a company can be restored to the register if there are legitimate grounds — for instance, a creditor discovering unpaid debts.
Because The Gazette keeps a permanent record of the notice, the restoration process starts there too. A court order may be obtained, reinstating the company so that outstanding matters can be dealt with (including legal claims or asset recovery).
This is why it’s crucial not to assume strike-off is a shortcut to closure if your company has any debts.
What to do if your company is about to be listed in The Gazette
If you’ve received notice that your company will appear in The Gazette — for example, because of a winding-up petition or strike-off proposal — you still have time to act.
Before publication:
- You may be able to repay or settle debts
- You could enter a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) or Administration to protect the business
- You could voluntarily liquidate to take control of the process before it’s forced through the courts
Once a notice is published, your options can narrow quickly, especially if it involves HMRC or other major creditors. Early engagement with a licensed insolvency practitioner gives you the best chance to control the process and protect yourself.
Key takeaways: The Gazette and insolvency
- The Gazette is the UK’s official public record for insolvency and company notices.
- Every insolvency procedure — from winding-up petitions to voluntary liquidations — must be advertised there.
- It exists to ensure fairness, transparency and legal compliance.
- Seeing your company name in The Gazette isn’t the end, but it means action is needed now.
We’re here to help you understand what your Gazette notice means
If you’ve received a notification from creditors or seen your company name published in The Gazette, don’t panic…but don’t ignore it either. Our licensed insolvency practitioners can explain exactly what’s happening, what your rights and obligations are, and the safest next step to take.
We’ll handle the formalities and guide you through every stage of the process, whether that means negotiating with creditors, entering voluntary liquidation, or finding a way to move forward.
Get in touch today for free, confidential advice before your options run out.
