{"id":1713,"date":"2022-01-12T04:52:35","date_gmt":"2022-01-12T04:52:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uk.legalvision.com.au\/?p=1713"},"modified":"2026-03-23T01:38:11","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T01:38:11","slug":"using-a-trading-name","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/corporations\/using-a-trading-name\/","title":{"rendered":"Implications of Using a Trading Name in England and Wales"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Have you ever researched a company, only to find its registered name is not the name it trades under? Or have you ever seen a piece of correspondence, followed by \u201ct\/a\u201d and a business name? Alternatively, you may have incorporated your company and want to sell certain products under a different name <\/span>for whatever reason<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. This article will explain the legal implications of using a trading name for business owners and why you might consider doing it.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">What is a Trading Name?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Any time anyone does business under a name other than their legal name, they use a trading name. This is also called a business name. It includes individual people operating as sole traders and <a href=\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/corporations\/incorporate-a-company-england-wales\/\">incorporated businesses<\/a> like companies or limited liability partnerships (LLPs) operating under a name other than what the business is registered as.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Advantages of Using a Trading Name&nbsp;<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A<\/span>s <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">a sole trader, there are obvious reasons why you might want to trade under a name other than your legal name. Classic as a name \u201cJohn Smith\u201d may be, it may not be the brand you are going for if you are selling beach-themed goods.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"box box--icon box--info\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">To consider another example, let us suppose you have a company with a reputation selling a particularly expensive or unique product. However, your company now wants to sell a different product, perhaps one that is not as prestigious or coveted, though you predict this new product will be no less profitable.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It may be advantageous to trade under a different name than what your company is registered under in certain circumstances. This is especially true if you consider that the process for changing your company\u2019s name can be quite onerous.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">At the same time, be aware that there are many circumstances where you <\/span>must\u00a0disclose <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">your company\u2019s registered name. Therefore, you should ask if your business will be at risk if your customers, clients, or suppliers find out that your trading name and brand name are in fact the same entity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/corporations\/difference-company-name-trading-name\/\">Trading names<\/a> also allow businesses to test new markets without risking their established brand reputation. A luxury car dealership might use a trading name when entering the used car market, protecting its premium brand while exploring different customer segments. This strategy provides flexibility to pivot or withdraw from markets without affecting the core business identity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<a href=\"#content-next\"\n   class=\"block p-4 mt-10 text-xl font-bold text-center text-white no-underline bg-gray-800 rounded-t-xl\">\n    Continue reading this article below the form\n    <i class=\"text-xl fa-regular fa-arrow-down\"><\/i>\n<\/a>\n<div class=\"px-6 pt-10 pb-12 mb-10 text-center bg-gray-100 rounded-b-xl sm:px-12 test\">\n    <div class=\"mb-8 text-2xl font-bold text-orange\">\n        Need legal advice?\n        <br>\n        <span class=\"text-lg not-prose\">\n                            Call <a href=\"tel:+448081968584\" class=\"not-prose\">0808 196 8584<\/a> for urgent assistance.\n                <br>\n                Otherwise, complete this form, and we will contact you within one business day.\n                    <\/span>\n    <\/div>\n\n    \n\n<div class=\"not-prose flex justify-center text-left gform_input_bg_white    \">\n    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       } else {            triggerPostRender();        }    } );} );\n<\/script>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"content-next\"><!-- scroll anchor --><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Legal Implications When Using a Trading Name<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">General Restrictions&nbsp;<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">For both incorporated and unincorporated businesses, there are some common restrictions on names you cannot trade under.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In general, you cannot use as a trading name anything that:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">suggests an affiliation or association with a public body or government authority;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">contains sensitive words or offensive phrases;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">is suggestive of any proscribed terrorist organisation or group;&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">makes use of any legal indicator such as \u201cLimited\u201d or \u201cLLP\u201d unless you are trading under that legal business structure; or&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">is otherwise contrary to the public policy as determined by the Secretary of State.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Examples of sensitive words that require approval include &#8216;Royal&#8217;, &#8216;National&#8217; and &#8216;British&#8217;. The company name adjudicators maintain a comprehensive list of restricted words, and using these without permission can result in legal action to force a name change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, names that are too similar to existing well-known brands may be challenged under trademark law, even if they don&#8217;t exactly match the restricted categories above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"box box--icon box--info\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">There are also distinct considerations depending on what business structure you are trading through.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sole Traders and General Partnerships&nbsp;<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/business-structures\/register-sole-trader\/\" target=\"_blank\">Sole traders\u00a0<\/a>and general partnerships are the most common types of unincorporated businesses in England and Wales.<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Notably, unincorporated businesses do not have a separate legal personality from their owners. While the business itself cannot own property or assume its own debts, the law permits you to operate your business under its own business name. This is provided you adhere to the restrictions on what you can trade under.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Additionally, there are no real formalities to start using a trading name. Indeed, you can brand your business as you wish, as soon as you wish<\/span>. Again, this is <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">provided you are mindful of certain legal implications.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">However, just because you have a b<\/span>usiness <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">name separate from your own does not prevent you from assuming liability for your business\u2019 debts or obligations. Since it is unincorporated, you will not benefit from the principle of limited liability.<\/span> So, i<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">f you cannot make a necessary payment or fulfil a contractual responsibility, you will be personally liable<\/span>. This personal liability extends beyond just financial debts. If your business causes harm or breaches regulations while trading under a business name, you remain personally responsible for any resulting legal consequences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"box box--warning box--icon\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Your creditor or counter-party will be free to come after you in your personal capacity should you be in breach of any obligation.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Companies and Limited Liability Partnerships<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You may do business through a name other than that with which you are registered with Companies House. In that case, there are certain situations where you must disclose the registration name of your private company. For example, when:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">issuing any \u201cpromissory notes\u201d (a promise to make a payment at a later date), \u201cbill of exchange\u201d (a promise to exchange one piece of property for another), or similar documents;&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">using any official business correspondence,<\/span> including letterheads<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, official publications, and websites;\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>using a money cheque or an <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">order for goods or services;\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">entering into a contract;&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">sending invoices or demands for payment; or<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">submitting applications for licences to undertake certain activities or trades, such as selling alcohol.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In most cases, even if you do not use your company name when doing business, it can be held liable for any debt or obligation it has entered into.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Other Legal Implications&nbsp;<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Trademark Protection&nbsp;<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Just because you trade under a particular name does not grant you automatic intellectual property rights over the use of that name.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"box box--icon box--info\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">For instance, if you have registered your incorporated business under a particular name with Companies House, in some cases, this will not automatically prevent another from using your company\u2019s name as part of their own trading name (though they can be prevented from registering under that name).&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Therefore, you should also seek to secure any intellectual property rights you may have over your business\u2019 branding and marketing<\/span>. For example, you can make\u00a0appropriate\u00a0applications<span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> with the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/organisations\/intellectual-property-office\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">UK Intellectual Property Office<\/span><\/a>. Likewise, you can <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">seek the advice of an intellectual property solicitor if in doubt.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Trademark Infringement&nbsp;<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Likewise, if you trade under another company\u2019s name or brand, you can be liable for trademark and other intellectual property rights violations.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Moreover, in certain circumstances, you can be held liable for the civil wrong of passing off. Be aware that this can result in substantial fines and other civil penalties.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Therefore, before <\/span>trading\u00a0under\u00a0a<span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> name other than that which legally belongs to your business, you should undertake the appropriate steps to ensure you have the right to trade under your chosen name. Various databases and trade mark registries are available to assist you, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company-name-availability\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">some of which are free of charge<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Domain Names and Online Presence<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When selecting a trading name, consider the availability of matching domain names and social media handles. A trading name loses some of its marketing value if another business controls the associated online presence.<\/p>\n\n\n    <div class=\"my-7 lg:my-10 border-y-2 border-gray-100 py-7 lg:py-10 flex flex-col sm:flex-row items-start gap-10\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"w-52 mx-auto my-0! rounded\" src=\"https:\/\/img.legalvision.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/05\/01062251\/6-Key-UK-SaaS-Contract-Essentials.png\" alt=\"Front page of publication\"\n                 loading=\"lazy\" width=\"208\" height=\"298\">\n                <section>\n            <div class=\"text-2xl font-bold\">6 Key UK SaaS Contract Essentials<\/div>\n            <div class=\"body-text\">\n                <p>Launching a SaaS business? Download this free cheatsheet to understand key contract essentials, including IP, data, and liability management.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n            \n\n<a href=\"https:\/\/go.legalvision.co.uk\/uk-saas-contract-essentials-guide.html\" class=\" block px-5 py-3.5 max-w-fit bg-orange button__hover transition rounded text-white font-bold text-lg no-underline uppercase leading-tight text-center\" target=\"\" rel=\"\">Download Now<\/a>        <\/section>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Key Takeaways&nbsp;<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As a business owner, you may have several different reasons for wanting to trade under a name other than your business\u2019 official name. For instance, as a sole trader, you may want to trade under a name different from your legal name. In addition, you may want to sell certain products or services under a different brand name. The good news is that, in general, there is no law against using such trading name<\/span>s. However, <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">there are restrictions on what names you can and cannot use to trade under. Likewise, you should be aware of the legal implications of intellectual property abuse, among other considerations.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you need help choosing a trading name, <\/span>LegalVision provides ongoing legal support for all businesses through our fixed-fee legal membership. Our experienced <a href=\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/business-lawyers-lp\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">business lawyers<\/span><\/a> help businesses across industries manage contracts, employment law, disputes, intellectual property, and more, with unlimited access to specialist lawyers for a fixed monthly fee.&nbsp;To learn more about LegalVision\u2019s legal membership, call <a href=\"tel:+448081968584\" class=\"AVANSERnumber dynamic-number\">0808 196 8584<\/a> or&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/membership\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">visit our membership page<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1641961072437\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>What is a trading name?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">A trading name is where a business, such as a company, does business under a name other than the name under which the business is officially registered. It can also refer to a sole trader&#8217;s business in a name other than their legal name.\u00a0<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1641961084589\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>What does \u201ct\/a\u201d mean<\/strong>?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">\u201cT\/a\u201d stands for \u201ctrading as\u201d. It is common to see it on certain correspondence, like official letters or receipts. For example, \u201cShyCo t\/a BoldCo\u201d.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1773728003079\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Can I change my trading name whenever I want?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes, generally you can change your trading name without formal procedures, unlike changing a registered company name.\u00a0<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1773728004199\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Do I need to register a trading name anywhere?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">While there&#8217;s no central registry for trading names in England and Wales, you should check trademark databases and consider registering relevant trademarks.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Have you ever researched a company, only to find its registered name is not the name it trades under? Or have you ever seen a piece of correspondence, followed by \u201ct\/a\u201d and a business name? Alternatively, you may have incorporated your company and want to sell certain products under a different name for whatever reason.<a href=\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/corporations\/using-a-trading-name\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"sr-only\">&#8220;Implications of Using a Trading Name in England and Wales&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13509,"featured_media":662,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","editor_notices":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[20,21,90,208,344],"class_list":["post-1713","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-corporations","tag-small-business","tag-medium-business","tag-company","tag-trade-mark","tag-trading-name"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.1.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Implications of Using a Trading Name in England &amp; Wales | LegalVision UK<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Have you considered using a trading name in business? 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It can also refer to a sole trader's business in a name other than their legal name.\u00a0","inLanguage":"en-GB"},"inLanguage":"en-GB"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/corporations\/using-a-trading-name\/#faq-question-1641961084589","name":"What does \u201ct\/a\u201d mean?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"\u201cT\/a\u201d stands for \u201ctrading as\u201d. It is common to see it on certain correspondence, like official letters or receipts. 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