According to its legal definition, a natural person is a real human being, as opposed to a corporation or an organization – which are often treated by law as a fictitious person.
“Natural person” is a synonym of “physical person” and refers to a human being with legal rights and responsibilities. They can enter contracts, own property, sue and be sued, and have fundamental rights (such as the right to life, liberty, and privacy) simply because they exist.
On the other hand, a legal person refers to an entity that is recognized by law as having legal rights and obligations, similar to a natural person, but the definition includes corporations, government agencies, NGOs, and other organizations.
Legal persons, too, can enter into contracts, sue and be sued, but they are not human beings.
| Natural Person | Legal Person |
|---|---|
| A human being with legal rights and responsibilities. | An entity recognized by law that can act like a person but is not human. |
| Any individual | A corporation, government, or organization |
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