Companies Act 1993

Offences and penalties

381: Improper use of Limited

You could also call this:

“Misusing 'Limited' in a business name when not a limited liability company is illegal”

If you’re not a company with limited liability, you can’t use the word “Limited” or anything that looks or sounds like it at the end of your business name. This rule applies whether you’re working alone or with other people. If you do use “Limited” when you shouldn’t, you’re breaking the law. The punishment for this is explained in section 373(2) of the Companies Act 1993.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM323248.

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Business > Industry rules
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Part 21 Offences and penalties

381Improper use of Limited

  1. Any person who, not being incorporated with limited liability, whether alone or with other persons, carries on business under a name or title of which Limited or a contraction or imitation of that word is the last word, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to the penalty set out in section 373(2).

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  • 1955 No 63 s 462