BUSINESS LAW ( REPORT ) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

BUSINESS LAW ( REPORT ) - Essay Example Even in America itself, it is not possible for a company to function with a unique law in to different states. In other words, companies need to function with respect to the laws prevailing in the location where they operate. Separate legal personality and limited liability are two common terms associated with company law. Wiss (2010) describes separate legal personality as an incorporated company, â€Å"united or combined into an organised body† having rights and liabilities. In her opinion a company is a fictitious person who can enter into contracts, own property and even commit crimes. At the same time when a private company limited by shares, the creditors deal with the company, not with the individuals and it can be termed as a limited liability company. In such cases, if the company become bankrupt, the creditors or the investors do not get paid regardless of the personal financial capabilities of its memebrs (Wiss 2010). Separate legal personality and limited liability are two advantages of corporate status. But under certain circumstances these advantages will become invalid and this paper briefly explains such circumstances in which separate legal personality and limited liability will b ecome invalid. It is not possible for a company to take undue advantages in the name of limited liability or separate legal personality. Corporate law has mainly identified seven instances in which the corporate veil (law that protect the members or founders of a company in case a problem arises) can be lifted; fraud, agency, trust, group enterprise, tort enemy character, tax (Sadhu, n. d) Richard Wachman (2005) has mentioned that fraud is costing British business  £72 billion a year, 6% of the annual revenue of British businesses (Wachman, 2005). The recent corporate scandals involving Enron, WorldCom, Parmalat and Refco, have not taught any lessons to the authorities or the investors. Fraud can attain many forms; some companies may overstate their profits, some