A company struck off the ACRA register can, in many cases, be restored but the process and requirements differ depending on how long it’s been struck off and who’s applying. We assess which restoration route applies to your situation and handle the application.
Why restoration sometimes becomes necessary
Companies get struck off for a few common reasons beyond a deliberate voluntary strike-off: ACRA administratively strikes off companies that fail to file annual returns for an extended period, sometimes without the director realizing how serious the lapse had become. A struck-off company can’t legally operate, and any assets it held technically vest with the government which is often the point at which a director or shareholder realizes restoration is needed, sometimes urgently (for example, to deal with a bank account or property still in the company’s name).
The two restoration routes
Administrative restoration available within a specific window after strike-off (generally within 6 years), where the applicant satisfies ACRA that the company was struck off in error or that restoration is otherwise justified, without needing to go to court. This is the simpler and faster route where it applies.
Court-ordered restoration required when the administrative route isn’t available (for example, outside the standard window, or where ACRA doesn’t agree to administrative restoration) requiring a court application under the Companies Act, typically involving a lawyer alongside our filing support.
Fix: We assess which route actually applies to your situation before starting, rather than assuming the simpler administrative route is available.
What’s included
- Assessment of which restoration route applies, and the realistic timeline for each
- Preparation of the restoration application (administrative route) or coordination with legal counsel for a court application
- Clearing any outstanding filings that contributed to the strike-off, so the company is compliant once restored
- Reinstatement of statutory registers and filing calendar once restoration is granted
Who this is for
Directors, shareholders, or creditors who need a struck-off company restored, commonly to deal with an asset, bank account, or legal matter still tied to the company, or because ongoing business operations were disrupted by an unexpected administrative strike-off.
Frequently asked questions
How long does restoration typically take? Administrative restoration, where available, is generally faster, often a matter of weeks once the application is properly prepared. Court-ordered restoration takes considerably longer given court scheduling and process.
What happens to the company’s outstanding filings once restored? These need to be brought current as part of restoration, we handle the backlog clearing (see Annual Compilation of Accounts if bookkeeping also needs catching up) so the company doesn’t emerge from restoration already behind again.
Can a company be restored if its assets have already been dealt with by the government (bona vacantia)? This is a more complex situation requiring specific legal advice, restoration itself doesn’t automatically reverse what’s already happened to vested assets, and we’d coordinate with legal counsel on this specifically.
How this fits with our other services
Once restored, the company typically needs its Company Secretarial filings brought current and ongoing support set up to prevent a repeat administrative strike-off, often the root cause is simply that filing deadlines went untracked, which is exactly what proactive secretarial support is designed to prevent.