Definition of Joint Stock Company:

• As per Section 2(20) of the Companies Act, 2013: “Company means a company incorporated under this Act or under any previous company law’.
• According to Prof. H.L.Haney: “A Joint Stock company is a voluntary association of individuals for profit, having it’s capital divided into transferable shares, the ownership of which is the condition of membership”.

Types of Companies on the basis of liability of members:

(i) Companies Limited by Shares: Such companies are formed as per Section 2(22) of the Companies Act, 2013. Such companies have to share capital and their members have limited liabilities up to unpaid part of the face value of shares held by them. At the time of winding up of the company, the personal property of shareholders is not used.

(ii) Company Limited by Guarantee: As per Section 2(21) of Companies Act, 2013 such companies may or may not have share capital. Every Member promises to pay a specific amount for liabilities and debts of the company on liquidation. Such amount is mentioned in the Memorandum of Association. Members give guarantees and they carry a specific amount of liability. Generally, such companies work for the promotion of sports, art, culture, charity, etc.

(iii) Unlimited Liability Companies: As per Section 2(92) of the Companies Act, 2013 such companies have members with unlimited liability. Members are fully liable to liabilities and debts of the company. It may be a private, public, or one-person company.