The short answer
A voluntary strike-off is company-initiated: the directors apply to Companies House on form DS01 to have a dormant, debt-free company removed from the register. A compulsory strike-off is Registrar-initiated — Companies House removes a company itself, usually because it has failed to file accounts or a confirmation statement and appears defunct. Either can be objected to, and a struck-off company can later be restored.
Both kinds of strike-off end the same way — the company is dissolved and removed from the register — but the trigger is very different. One is a deliberate, tidy closure by the directors; the other is the Registrar acting against a company that has gone quiet. This guide compares them, explains how creditors object, and how restoration works.
Strike-off types at a glance
- Voluntary Directors apply on form DS01
- Compulsory Registrar removes a defunct company
- Common trigger Voluntary: clean closure; Compulsory: missed filings
- Objections Creditors and others can object to either
- After removal Company is dissolved
- Reversal Restoration to the register is possible
Voluntary strike-off (DS01)
A voluntary strike-off is the directors’ own decision to close a company that has stopped trading and has no outstanding debts. They file form DS01 at Companies House, and must notify interested parties — including creditors, members, employees and HMRC — within seven days. After a notice period and Gazette advertisement with no valid objection, the company is struck off and dissolved. It must not have traded or changed its name in the previous three months, and must not be subject to insolvency proceedings.
Compulsory strike-off
A compulsory strike-off is started by the Registrar of Companies, not the directors. It typically follows a failure to file annual accounts or a confirmation statement, leading Companies House to believe the company is no longer carrying on business. The Registrar publishes a notice in The Gazette; if there is no response or objection, the company is struck off.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Voluntary strike-off | Compulsory strike-off |
|---|---|---|
| Who starts it | The company’s directors (DS01) | The Registrar of Companies |
| Usual reason | Deliberate, clean closure | Missed filings / appears defunct |
| Notice | Gazette + notify interested parties | Gazette notice by the Registrar |
| Objections | Creditors & others can object | Creditors & others can object |
| Outcome | Dissolution | Dissolution |
Objections and how they work
- Any creditor, member or other interested party can object to a strike-off — voluntary or compulsory — usually by writing to Companies House with evidence of a debt or ongoing matter.
- HMRC frequently objects where tax is outstanding.
- A valid objection suspends the strike-off until the issue is resolved.
Restoration after strike-off
A dissolved company can be brought back through administrative restoration (in limited cases, by a former director within six years) or by court order (available more broadly, often to creditors). Restoration is commonly used so a creditor can pursue a claim or place the company into compulsory liquidation. If your company owes money, strike-off is the wrong route — see liquidation vs dissolution — and a licensed insolvency practitioner can advise on the proper closure.
Facing a compulsory strike-off, or unsure if DS01 is safe?
A licensed insolvency practitioner can tell you whether strike-off is appropriate or whether you need a formal procedure. A short, confidential call clarifies your position.
Frequently asked questions
What triggers a compulsory strike-off?
Usually a failure to file accounts or a confirmation statement, leading Companies House to conclude the company is no longer trading and to begin removing it from the register.
Can I object to a strike-off?
Yes — any creditor or interested party can object to a voluntary or compulsory strike-off by writing to Companies House with evidence, which suspends the process.
Can a struck-off company be restored?
Yes — through administrative restoration in limited cases, or by court order more broadly, often so a creditor can pursue a claim.
Does a compulsory strike-off clear company debts?
No. Debts are not written off simply because the company is removed; creditors can object, restore the company, or pursue directors where conduct warrants it.
Sources & further reading
- GOV.UK — Strike off your limited company (DS01)
- GOV.UK — Restore your dissolved company
- Companies Act 2006 — striking off and restoration
- The Insolvency Service — guidance for company directors
This guide is general information, not formal insolvency advice. Your situation must be assessed by a licensed insolvency practitioner before you act.