A company is a separate legal entity and, therefore, is separate and distinct from those who run it. Only the company can be sued for its obligations and can sue to enforce its rights although it is still possible for Directors to become liable in certain circumstances. As a Limited company the shares in a company are owned by its shareholders owners. If the company is a limited liability company, the shareholders' liability, should the company fail, is limited to the amount, if any, remaining unpaid on the shares held by them.

A private company limited by shares
A single member company limited by shares
A company limited by guarantee not having a share
A public limited company
Unlimited company
A company limited by guarantee having a share capital