Juristic person
From Civil law
Basic ideasContract and obligations
What it means
An entity that the law treats as a person, able to own property, make contracts and sue, apart from the human beings behind it. Companies are the commonest example, but so are associations and foundations.
Why it travels badly
In common law, the key idea is the 'corporation', and different kinds of bodies are corporations or not. Civil codes begin with the broader category of the legal person and then sort bodies into types. Partnerships are treated differently in each system.
How other systems say it
juristische Person
Includes the GmbH, AG, Verein and Stiftung. Partnerships (Personengesellschaften) have some capacity but are not juristic persons.
body corporate / corporation
A company is a corporation. A partnership has no separate legal personality, and a 'corporation sole' (such as the Crown or a bishop) is a single office-holder treated as a corporation.
Scotland
firm as a legal person
The Partnership Act 1890 treats a Scottish firm as a legal person distinct from its partners.
Tip for translators and students
'Legal person' and 'natural person' are standard pairs in translation. Avoid 'moral person' for 'personne morale', which suggests ethics.
Related: Trust, Obligation and Schuldrecht, Notary
Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
TheLawToKnow Tools’s glossary is an educational overview of the main differences between legal systems. It is not legal advice.
