Legal personality

Legal personality means being recognized by the legal order as a bearer of rights and obligations. Natural persons have legal personality; legal entities such as associations, foundations and companies may also have it when the law grants recognition. In Switzerland, personality is relevant across private, public and procedural law: it affects ownership, contracts, liability, litigation and regulatory duties. Legal personality differs from capacity to act, which concerns the ability to validly exercise rights through one’s own acts. Some entities may have limited procedural or administrative capacity without full personality. The concept helps determine who can sue, be sued, own property or be responsible for obligations.