Start with the proposed business activity, ownership, directors and registered-office arrangements. A useful brief explains the business as well as the filing requirement; your professional can then confirm the route, evidence and scope.
Describe the business, not just the preferred name
MCA’s SPICe+ process covers company incorporation and linked filings. Before choosing forms, write a short description of what the company will sell, who it will serve and where it will operate. This is a preparation step—not confirmation that a company is the right entity for you.
- Proposed activities and two or three name preferences
- Proposed owners, directors and intended shareholding
- Office location and whether the premises are owned, rented or shared
- Any overseas ownership or time-sensitive customer requirement
Separate a commercial deadline from a filing estimate
A customer’s onboarding date is useful context, but it is not an authority’s commitment. Ask which milestones depend on you, which depend on professional preparation and which depend on external processing. Record unresolved decisions rather than filling gaps with assumptions.
Agree what the engagement will deliver
Ask for a written list of deliverables and exclusions. Clarify whether the proposed scope ends at incorporation or also covers the initial action list and ongoing support. Keep professional fees, statutory charges and optional work distinguishable.
- Who prepares, reviews and submits the work?
- What information must the founders approve?
- Which acknowledgements and records will be handed over?
- Who explains the obligations that follow incorporation?
Send a brief first; share identity documents securely
Your initial enquiry can describe the business and deadline without attaching identity records. Agree a secure document-sharing channel with the desk before sending sensitive material. Keep one version-controlled folder so revisions do not get lost across messages.
Official references
Check the official guidance and your specific facts before acting. Requirements can change.
Prepared with AI assistance. No named professional review is claimed. For an assessment of your circumstances, agree a professional scope with the desk.