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Meaning of a Company
There are many definitions of a Company by various legal experts. However,
Section 2(20) of the Companies Act, 2013, defines the term ‘Company’ as follows:
“Company means a company incorporated under this Act or under any
previous company law.”
Features of a Company
A Company is a Separate Legal Entity
The existence of a company is distinct and separate from that of its members. It can
own property, bank accounts, raise loans, incur liabilities and enter into contracts.
According to Law, it is altogether different from the subscribers to
the Memorandum of Association.
Also, it has a distinct personality which is different from those who compose it.
Member can also contract with the Company and acquire a right against it or incur a
liability to it. However, for any debts, the creditors can sue the Company but the
members cannot.
A Company can own, enjoy, and dispose of a property in its own name. While the
shareholders contribute to the capital and assets, the company is the rightful owner
of such assets and capital. Further, the shareholders are not private or joint holders
of the company’s property.
Perpetual Succession
In simple words, the company is an artificial person which is brought into existence
by the law. Hence, it can be ended by law alone and is unaffected by the death or
insolvency of its members.
Limited Liability
One of the important features of a company is the limited liability of its members.
The liability of a member depends on the type of company.
Common Seal
While a company is an artificial person and works through the agency of human
beings, it has an official signature. This is affixed by the officers and employees of
the company on all its documents. This official signature is the Common Seal.
However, the Companies (Amendment) Act, 2015 has made the Common Seal
optional. Section 9 of the Act does not have the phrase ‘and a common seal’ in it.
This provides an alternative mode of authorization for companies who do not wish
to have a common seal.
According to this amendment, if a company does not have a common seal, then the
authorization shall be done by:
Two Directors or
One Director and the Company Secretary (if the company has appointed
a Company Secretary).
Answer: As the company is a separate legal entity, it owns all rights to its
properties. Also, no shareholder has any right to any item of the property owned by
the company. Hence, Peter’s claim is invalid. The insurer is not bound to pay him
compensation.