Define: Person

In legal terms, a person typically refers to an entity recognised by law as having legal rights and responsibilities. While traditionally applied to individuals, the concept of a person can extend to various entities, including natural persons (individual human beings), artificial persons (such as corporations, partnerships, and associations), and legal entities (such as trusts and estates). Persons, regardless of their nature, possess legal capacity, allowing them to enter into contracts, own property, sue and be sued, and enjoy other legal rights and obligations. The definition of a person may vary depending on the context and jurisdiction, but it generally encompasses entities capable of exercising legal rights and duties.

An individual, agency, association, branch, corporation, estate, group, partnership, or other entity or organisation having legal rights and responsibilities separate from those of other entities and/or of its owners or members. See also, juridical person.

In English law, a ‘person’ has much the same sense that it does in normal speech, except that corporations (see: Corporation) are also persons, with an identity distinct from their members. Specifically, all living human beings are persons, from the moment of birth (and not before, although unborn children do have some protection under the law) until the moment of death. Persons — human or otherwise — have certain rights and responsibilities.

This site contains general legal information but does not constitute professional legal advice for your particular situation. Persuing this glossary does not create an attorney-client or legal adviser relationship. If you have specific questions, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.

This glossary post was last updated: 29th March, 2024.