What is a key characteristic of a Private Limited Company (Ltd)?

A Private Limited Company (Ltd) is primarily characterized by its structure of ownership through shareholders who enjoy limited liability. This means that the financial risk for these shareholders is limited to the amount they invested in the company. If the business were to incur debts or face bankruptcy, the personal assets of the shareholders would not be at risk, providing a layer of protection for them.

In contrast, companies that can sell shares to the general public are known as Public Limited Companies (PLCs), which distinguishes them from Private Limited Companies. Unlimited liability, typically associated with sole traders or general partnerships, does not apply to Ltds, as shareholders’ financial responsibility is capped at their investment. Moreover, a Private Limited Company cannot be classified as a sole trader since the ownership is shared among multiple shareholders, unlike the single individual ownership of a sole trader.