Law · Legal Information · Justice
 

Person

An entity recognized by the law as separate and independent, with legal rights and existence including the ability to sue and be sued, to sign contracts, to receive gifts, to appear in court either by themselves or by lawyer and, generally, other powers incidental to the full expression of the entity in law.

Individuals are "persons" in law unless they are minors or under some kind of other incapacity such as a court finding of mental incapacity.

Many laws give certain powers to "persons" which, in almost all instances, includes business organizations that have been formally registered such as partnerships, corporations or associations.

For example, the US Code defines "person" as follows (at Title 1, Chapter 1, ¶1):

"The words person ... include(s) corporations, companies, associations, firms, partnerships, societies, and joint stock companies, as well as individuals."

Are we missing anything? If you think there is a term that should be included, please send us the suggestion

  • Dictionary
  • Resources
  • LawMag

Latest LagMag headlines:

H1N1 Law - Swine Law for a Swine Flu

In a state of public health law anarchy, professional hockey players receive a killer flu vaccine while infants and pregnant women wait.

More...

The Death of the Common Law: Expiry date, 2100

Just about now, but for the economic might of the United States of America, the last funeral bell tolls of the common law would be fading.

More...

Gretzky Law

The recent Phoenix Coyotes debacle, in which he left behind his job, is not the only time Wayne Gretzky has had to leave from the side exit of a courtroom.

More...


Read earlier headlines »
Subscribe to stay in touch »

Unless otherwise noted, this article was written by Lloyd Duhaime, Barrister, Solicitor, Attorney and Lawyer (and Notary Public!). It is not intended to be legal advice and you would be foolhardy to rely on it in respect to any specific situation you or an acquaintance may be facing. In addition, the law changes rapidly and sometimes with little notice so from time to time, an article may not be up to date. Therefore, this is merely legal information designed to educate the reader. If you have a real situation, this information will serve as a good springboard to get legal advice from a lawyer.

top