Public Company

A public company is a company limited by shares or limited by guarantee and having share capital (Companies Act 2006).

Companies are incorporated as either private ("limited") or public ("Plc"). They are distinguished by different standards of regulation in the Companies Act 2006 and other legislation. Public companies require a minimum capital investment of £50,000 (or €65,600) and are designed for use as more substantial companies with wide share ownership. A public company may be listed and must hold a trading certificate to do business. Private companies are the category which represents the remainder of companies.