Business Law - The Corporate Veil

It is seen that a company, as a person, has a legal identity of its own. An obvious consequence is that the company in question may become liable for the actions of the company.

      Usually, the owners of the company are free from any liability.

      It is assumed that the owners of the company are protected from liabilities by the company under a ‘veil of incorporation’.

      However, there are certain circumstances when the court of law removes the veil so that the members of the corporation are not protected anymore by the veil.

      However, there is no specific list of circumstances when the court of law is supposed to remove the veil.

      However, the veil has been removed in the past under the following circumstances −

ü  Where the formation of the company was intended for a fraudulent purpose.

ü  Where the company was considered as an enemy at the time of war.

ü  Where several groups of companies were regarded as one.

ü  Where a company was treated as a partnership with an intent to wind up.