1. Introduction

This introductory chapter provides an overview of the aims of company law and governance. Company law should hold companies and directors to account; be flexible enough to respond to novel and evolving practices; provide certainty; promote transparency; help to avoid misalignment of interests; promote corporate efficiency; and help avoid corporate disaster. The chapter then looks at other key important business structures. Other than companies, the principal business structures are the sole proprietorship, the partnership, and the limited liability partnership. A sole proprietorship is a sole individual carrying on some form of business activity. Meanwhile, two or more persons who wish to engage in business together can form an ordinary partnership. Lastly, limited liability partnerships were created to provide suitable business structures for large, professional firms. In many respects, limited liability partnerships resemble companies.