Companies law (or the law of
business associations) is the field of
law concerning
companies and other business
organizations. This includes
corporations,
partnerships and other associations which usually carry on some form of economic or charitable activity. The most prominent kind of company, usually referred to as a "corporation", is a "
juristic person", i.e. it has separate legal personality, and those who
invest money into the business have
limited liability for any losses the company makes, governed by
corporate law. The largest companies are usually publicly listed on
stock exchanges around the world. Even single individuals, also known as
sole traders may incorporate themselves and limit their liability in order to carry on a business. All different forms of companies depend on the particular law of the particular country in which they reside.