CRO Enforcement Update - Involuntary Strike Offs Resume

ciaranbrodigan
2 hours ago
2 min read

After a long period of reduced activity, the CRO has resumed involuntary strike off action in earnest for companies with overdue statutory filings. If your company is not up to date, you may receive a statutory strike off notice at any time and the clock starts immediately. If you are late with filings, contact us now as a matter of urgency.

How the CRO strike off process works

The CRO may issue non statutory reminder emails or letters to non-compliant companies.

The formal process begins with a statutory strike off notice. Only one statutory notice is required. It issues to the company’s registered office as per CRO records and sets out the grounds for strike off and the remedial steps required.

Twenty-eight days after the statutory notice issues, a notice of impending strike off is inserted in the CRO Gazette unless, before that date, all outstanding returns have been filed.

Twenty-eight days after the Gazette notice appears, the company will be struck off the register unless the outstanding position has been remedied.

After strike off, a notice dissolving the company is published in the CRO Gazette.

Key Risks for Companies and Directors

Company Dissolution
Once struck off and dissolved, the company ceases to exist as a legal entity. Any assets automatically are vested in the State.

Director Liability
Directors remain personally liable for company debts and obligations, even after dissolution.

Disqualification
Risk that a director of a company struck off involuntarily may be disqualified from acting as a director

Prosecution Risk
The Corporate Enforcement Authority has powers to investigate and prosecute directors where strike-off occurs in circumstances of non-compliance.

Options if your company is late

Bring the company up to date
File the outstanding Annual Returns and financial statements with the CRO, together with late filing fees.

Seek extra time
Apply to the District Court for an extension of time to file outstanding returns (if appropriate).

Our Advice

With involuntary strike-offs now firmly back in motion, directors need to act now. Review your company’s CRO status immediately. If any filings are outstanding, you must move quickly to protect both the business and your personal position as a director.

Strike-off is not a distant risk. It is happening.

At UHY Farrelly Dawe White, we work with directors every day to regularise filings, engage with the CRO and prevent unnecessary escalation. The sooner you act, the more options you have.

If you have received a notice or are unsure of your current status, contact our Corporate Compliance team today. We’ll assess your position and guide you through the next steps with clarity and confidence.