Subjects:

Company Law

Contents:

Part 1: records management

when and where to start

who to involve

what to aim for

records management policies

retention policies

putting policies into practice

retention periods - basic principles

regulatory requirements

utility risk

limitation periods

evidence

paper records

organisation

filing

archivng

computer records

electronic data

converting paper to electronic media

organising data

regulatory issues

evidential value

BSI guidance

other media

retention periods - specific areas

accounting and tax records

Companies Act books and registers

share registration and dividends

employee records

pensions

health & safety records

contracts

customer records

financial services

records of insolvent and dissolved companies

destruction and disposal

data protection.

Part 2: Schedule of retention periods.

Appendices: examples of certificates.

All businesses need to keep certain records for legal and commercial reasons. The difficulty lies in knowing which documents must be kept and for how long. Building on the success of the ICSA's ""A Short Guide to the Retention of Documents"", this updated and enhanced guide provides an overview of the law and best practice relating to the retention and storage of key business documentation.

The guide outlines the main principles that should be applied when framing a retention (and disposal) policy for such documentation. It suggests minimum retention periods for different types of documents based on best practice and, where applicable, the minimum retention periods required by law.;Details of the legal background and the development of an appropriate retention policy are accompanied by a comprehensive look at the practicalities of retrieval and storage systems, with particular emphasis on the range of electronic storage methods and systems now available.

The commentary is accompanied by a detailed schedule of retention periods, with legal and best practice references where relevant.