ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the nature of company law. It begins with the opening metaphors of Frankenstein's monster and of the company as a fictitious, abstract device that helps us to achieve very real objectives. The use of these metaphors throughout the text, together with observations about some key moments in British history that impacted on company law, helps to explain a number of seemingly abstract principles of UK company law that needs to know about but that may otherwise seem impenetrable. The principal statute governing company law in the UK is the Companies Act 2006 (CA). It applies to all of the UK as one legal jurisdiction. It is longest statute ever in the history of this jurisdiction. Nevertheless, it is surprisingly readable because it was drafted for commercial people to be able to read for themselves. The powers of the company and the rules that govern how a company operates are set out primarily in the company's constitution.
