oikeuspersoonallisuus

Oikeuspersoonallisuus, often translated as legal personality or legal personhood, refers to the capacity of an entity to have rights and obligations under the law. In many legal systems, this concept is primarily associated with natural persons, meaning individual human beings. However, legal personality can also be extended to artificial entities, commonly known as legal persons or juridical persons.

These artificial entities, such as corporations, foundations, and associations, are granted legal personality by law, allowing them to act independently of their individual members or owners. This means they can enter into contracts, own property, sue and be sued, and incur debts in their own name. The creation and recognition of legal personality for such entities are crucial for facilitating commerce, organizing collective activities, and providing a framework for legal accountability.

The concept distinguishes between the entity itself and the individuals who comprise or manage it. For instance, a company with legal personality is distinct from its shareholders or directors. This separation is fundamental to limited liability, where the personal assets of the owners are typically protected from the company's debts and obligations. The scope and implications of legal personality can vary depending on the specific legal system and the type of entity in question.