Public Limited

Public Limited

A public company provided legal protection of limited liability and perpetual succession to its members.

Public company requires minimum seven members and minimum three directors . However, there is no limit on maximum number of members, and no minimum paid up capital requirement with full liberty of issuing its shares to any person.

Key Attributes

Limited Liability:- Personal liability of the members is limited
Separate Legal Entity:- A public company is a separate legal entity from its shareholders and directors
Duration/ Uninterrupted existence:- A company has ‘perpetual succession’, that is continued or uninterrupted existence until it is legally dissolved
No Limit on number of members:- There is no limit on maximum number of members
Capital Raising:- A public limited company can raise funds by issuing shares to public at large as there is no limit on maximum number of members
Professional Image:- A public company gives a professional image to businesses and more assurance about its stability. This attracts new customers or investors.

Advantages of public limited:

  • Personal liability of the members is limited
  • separate legal entity from its shareholders and directors.
  • continued or uninterrupted existence until it is legally dissolved
  • can raise funds by issuing shares to public
  • no limit on maximum number of members

Disadvantages of public limited:

  • increased regulatory requirements and scrutiny
  • Higher levels of transparency required
  • Lack of Flexibility
  • Initially require minimum seven members and three director to start

Procedural Aspects

  • Choose and apply name of the company
  • Submit requisite forms & documents (including MOA AOA)with ROC and obtain Certificate of Incorporation
  • Open a bank account
  • Apply for registrations like GST, IEC, Startup, MSME etc