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The Articles of Association set out a company’s internal rules. They explain how the company operates, how decisions are made, and how directors and members share rights and responsibilities. They also define the company’s structure, powers, and legal protections.
Last Update 12 November 2025
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The articles of Association are the internal rulebook of a company. In modern UK company law, they form part of the company’s constitution and work alongside the memorandum.
They are the principal legal document that regulates:
If a company doesn’t create its own version, the government’s model articles of association will apply automatically. These are standard rules provided by law under the Companies Act 2006.
Every company’s Articles should cover key areas that define how it operates. The most common sections include:
Using our Articles of Association UK template helps make sure you do not leave out any necessary clauses. You can then adapt it to fit your company’s needs.
Using a template in PDF or Word format is a helpful starting point when drafting your company Articles of Association. A template can guide you through the standard clauses, remind you of statutory requirements, and save you time.
You can adapt our template to your circumstances (e.g. number of directors, share structure, rights and restrictions. It’s a good idea to have a legal professional review your finished document to make sure it’s comprehensive and legally sound.
Below is a sample completed Articles of Association to see how each clause fits together in practice.
Companies can use either the model articles provided by law or create bespoke Articles tailored to their business.
These are the standard rules set out by the government. They are simple and suitable for small or new companies with straightforward structures.
For companies incorporated on or after 1 October 2009, if you do not register your own version, the model articles apply automatically.
These are custom-made and adapted to your company’s needs. They are ideal for businesses with:
You can adjust sections, add specific clauses, or remove ones that don’t fit your situation.
There are numerous benefits of creating your own bespoke Articles of Association, as illustrated by the table below:
| Benefit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Custom control | Set your own voting rules or director powers. |
| Investor protection | Add clauses for share sales or exits. |
| Fair treatment | Protect minority shareholders’ rights. |
| Flexibility | Adjust the document as your business grows. |
| Clarity | Make complex ownership structures easier to manage. |
Below are some frequently asked questions about company Articles of Association UK, to clarify common points.
Before 2009, companies had both a Memorandum and Articles of Association. The memorandum recorded the founders’ intention to form the company.
Today, it’s only a short statement filed at registration. The Articles now contain the main operating rules.
A company’s registered Articles of Association are public documents filed at Companies House. They can be inspected via the public register. Many companies also publish their Articles on their website or in investor documentation.
The Articles of Association do not need to be physically signed by all shareholders or directors.
When a company is registered, the subscribers automatically agree to the Articles by signing the memorandum. This electronic confirmation makes the Articles legally binding once filed with Companies House.
Any later changes must be approved by a shareholder vote and officially filed.
Yes. Changing Articles of Association requires a special resolution. This usually means approval from at least 75% of shareholders.
The new version must be sent to Companies House within 15 days.
