The UK High Court has formally authorised Unilever to become a whole British company. The current structure of the household chemistry and food group will therefore be dissolved on 29 November.

Unilever now has both a British and a Dutch part and headquarters in London and Rotterdam. The Dutch and British shareholders have already agreed to the plan to merge the existing headquarters in London.

Normally, after the High Court’s approval, Unilever would not have been able to work under the move without re-consulting that court. With a special exception, it is now possible. This can only be done if the move is no longer in the interests of the shareholders. The court specifically addressed the case where the Netherlands may adopt or threaten to adopt a law to penalise companies moving to a country where no dividend tax applies.