ABSTRACT
This chapter categorises private businesses in the UK according to legal structure and recognises unincorporated business organisation legal structures. It describes the incorporated business organisation legal structures and the different types of registered companies available. The chapter identifies the key differences between private and public companies, and shows that not all public companies have shares listed on a stock exchange. It details the main features of partnerships, limited liability partnerships and registered companies, and discusses the variety of legal structures used in the social economy. The chapter also identifies the special features that attach to community interest companies compared to ordinary registered companies. It explores the EU-level organisational legal structures introduced for use by businesses and in the social economy. The chapter explains business organisations structured as registered companies and looks at EU initiatives in relation to business organisations and civil society entities.
