By Bébhinn Egan, 25th August 2026
As we reported earlier in the year, the Companies Registration Office (CRO) has significantly intensified its enforcement activity, and the latest figures confirm that trend. Over 3,000 companies have already been struck off the register this year for failing to submit annual returns. But that figure only tells part of the story. Looking at the full CRO dataset for 2026, 8,946 companies have been dissolved so far this year, and a further 6,511 are currently strike-off listed but not yet dissolved, bringing the combined total to 15,457. Crucially, the 6,511 companies currently strike-off listed have not yet been dissolved — they are working through the process now. That means the total number of dissolutions will keep climbing as this backlog clears.
This is exactly in line with what we’ve been telling clients: as many as 30,000 companies are at risk of strike-off this year, and on current trends that number is going to increase substantially before year end.
Clearing the Backlog
The CRO is working through a substantial backlog that built up after enforcement was paused in March 2020, giving directors some leeway as Covid hit. Enforcement was meant to resume in August 2023, but technical glitches forced another suspension until 2024. During that pause, the CRO shifted to manually pursuing non-compliant companies which took significantly more time. Since resuming automation at scale, the CRO’s clearance rate has climbed sharply.
What This Means for Company Directors
The enforcement environment has changed. Directors can no longer rely on long delays or administrative leniency and an involuntary strike-off carries serious consequences:
- Personal liability: Directors lose limited liability protection, so creditors can pursue them personally for company debts. Shareholders may also become liable if the company keeps trading after dissolution.
- Loss of assets: All company property automatically becomes State property.
- Prosecution: Directors can be prosecuted under the Companies Act 2014, facing substantial fines.
- Disqualification: The Corporate Enforcement Authority (CEA) can seek a High Court order banning directors from future company management.
- Legal costs: If the CEA takes action, directors may also have to cover its legal and investigation expenses.
- Reputational harm: The strike-off becomes a permanent record, potentially hurting future funding and business prospects.
Act Now
With over 6,500 companies currently sitting on the strike-off list and thousands more likely to join them before the end of the year, directors who are behind on annual returns should act now rather than risk becoming part of next quarter’s figures.
If you’re unsure about your company’s standing, or you need help bringing your filings up to date, now is the time to act.
Our compliance experts can advise you and help you get back into good standing as quickly and efficiently as possible. Contact us online today!
Disclaimer: This article is for guidance purposes only. It does not constitute legal or professional advice. No liability is accepted by Company Bureau for any action taken or not taken in reliance on the information set out in this article. Professional or legal advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from any action as a result of this article. Any and all information is subject to change.
