Companies Act 2014 section 43

The common seal

Section 43 sets out the requirement for a company to have a common seal and the rules governing who may authorise and witness its use.

• Every company must have a common seal engraved with the company's name in legible characters.
• The seal may only be used with the authority of the directors or a committee of directors authorised by them.
• Any document to which the seal is affixed must be signed by a director (or appointed person) and countersigned by the secretary, a second director, or another appointed person.
• Where a registered person exists in relation to the company, that person may use the seal, provided the document is signed by them and countersigned by a director, the secretary, or another person appointed for that purpose.