The term used to describe a system that provides automated interactive telephone information, such as stock prices, sports scores and personals.

Directive 2010/13/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on the co-ordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the provision of audio-visual media services.

Audiovisual Media Services Directive 2010: European legislation which updated the previous 'Television Without Frontiers Directive' to take account of technological advances and convergence in the media landscape and regulate broadcast regulation across all audiovisual media services, including online services which are deemed 'television-like'.

‘Audiovisual media service’ (AVMS) is a service which is under the editorial responsibility of a media service provider, the principle purpose of which is the provision of programmes, in order to inform, entertain or educate the general public by electronic communications networks. Examples of an AVMS are a television broadcast or an on-demand service.

A review of a client's business and assets undertaken by an asset-based lender periodically during the life of a facility with particular focus on the asset classes being funded.

An independent regulator responsible for ensuring public money is spent efficiently, economically and effectively. Its functions include audit, assessment and research. It is a body corporate established under the Local Government Finance Act 1982 and its powers and responsibilities are set out in the Audit Commission Act 1998.

This glossary contains a summary and definition of some of the most common terms and phrases used in the context of auditors and a company’s audit obligations. A Word or phrase Definition Accounting reference period (ARP) Usually the period of 12 months over which a company draws up its accounts. If the company's accounting period does not coincide with its period of account or if the accounting period spans more than one financial year, the profits must be apportioned (see accounting reference date (ARD) and Practice Note: Basic principles of corporation tax—overview). Accounting reference date (ARD) A company’s accounting reference period (ARP) is determined by reference to its accounting reference date: it ends on that date. The ARD is normally the last day of the month in which the anniversary of the company’s incorporation falls (CA 2006, s 391). For further information see Practice Note: A company's financial year. Accounts meeting The particular general meeting of the company at which its annual accounts and reports are (or are to be) laid in

Background There are statutory provisions relating to the notices and statements required upon an auditor ceasing to hold office. Section 18 and Schedule 5 of the Deregulation Act 2015 (DA 2015), which came into force on 1 October 2015, made a number of changes in relation to auditors, which include the statutory provisions dealing with the notices and statements required on an auditor ceasing to hold office. The amendments have effect in relation to financial years beginning on or after 1 October 2015. For the purpose of the notices and statements required on an auditor ceasing to hold office, the DA 2015 amended the Companies Act 2006 (CA 2006) to make a distinction between public interest companies and non-public interest companies (each being treated slightly differently), rather than the distinction between quoted companies and unquoted companies (again, each being treated slightly differently) which applied before the DA 2015 amended the CA 2006. For details of the relevant provisions in relation to financial years beginning before 1 October 2015,

ARCHIVED: This archived Practice Note relates to a statement by an auditor of a quoted company ceasing to hold office; see also archived Practice Note: Company and Companies House notifications on an auditor ceasing to hold office—financial years beginning before 1 October 2015—quoted company [Archived]. Section 18 and Schedule 5 of the Deregulation Act 2015 (DA 2015), which came into force on 1 October 2015, made a number of changes in relation to auditors, which include the statutory provisions dealing with the notices and statements required on an auditor ceasing to hold office. The amendments have effect in relation to financial years beginning on or after 1 October 2015. For the purpose of the notices and statements required on an auditor ceasing to hold office, the DA 2015 amended the Companies Act 2006 (CA 2006) to make a distinction between public interest companies and non-public interest companies (each being treated slightly differently), rather than the distinction between

ARCHIVED: This archived Practice Note relates to a statement by an auditor of an unquoted company ceasing to hold office for financial years beginning before 1 October 2015; see also archived Practice Note: Company and Companies House notifications on an auditor ceasing to hold office—financial years beginning before 1 October 2015—unquoted company [Archived]. Section 18 and Schedule 5 of the Deregulation Act 2015 (DA 2015), which came into force on 1 October 2015, made a number of changes in relation to auditors, which include provisions dealing with the notices and statements required on an auditor ceasing to hold office. These provisions have effect in relation to financial years beginning on or after 1 October 2015. For the purpose of the notices and statements required on an auditor ceasing to hold office, the DA 2015 amended the Companies Act 2006 (CA 2006) to make a distinction between public interest companies and non-public interest companies (each being treated slightly

Boilerplate provisions in public sector contracts This Practice Note looks at audit clauses in public sector contracts. For more information on what contracting authorities (and other interested parties) need to know when using boilerplate provisions in public sector agreements, see Practice Note: Boilerplate provisions in public sector agreements: general considerations. Public procurement reform As of 24 February 2025, the main provisions of the Procurement Act 2023 (PA 2023) are in force. Procurements begun on or after this date must be carried out under PA 2023. The existing public procurement rules (including the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR 2015) and Procurement Practice Notes (PPNs), Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016, Concession Contracts Regulations 2016, and Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011) and/or those governed by other statute(s) (such as health care procurements) continue to apply to procurements already commenced when the PA 2023 regime entered into force. Procurements starting after the entry into force of PA 2023 must be conducted by reference to PA 2023 only. Procurements commenced under the previous legislation should

Produced in partnership with Michael Winder of Brabners LLP STOP PRESS: The General Data Protection Regulation, Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (the GDPR) introduces substantial amendments to EU and UK data protection law and replaces the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA 1998) and Directive 95/46/EC (the Data Protection Directive) as of 25 May 2018. This Precedent has not been drafted for compliance with the GDPR but it will be updated to reflect the changes to data protection law as a result of the GDPR regime in due course. For further information on the GDPR, see Practice Note: The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). For precedent (private sector) data processing provisions which comply with the GDPR and DPA 1998 (including audit provisions) and related commentary see Precedent: Data processing provisions—GDPR compliant—pro-controller. Audit Agents means any of the following: (a) the Authority's internal and external auditors; (b) the Authority's statutory or regulatory auditors; (c) the Comptroller and Auditor General, their staff and/or any appointed representatives of the National Audit Office; (d) HM Treasury or the Cabinet Office; (e) any party formally appointed by the