Shelf Company

/ˈʃɛlf ˈkʌmpəni/

Definitions

  1. (n.) A pre-registered company that has had no business activity and is kept dormant until used for establishing business credibility or for contractual convenience.
    Investors often buy a shelf company to speed up the process of starting a new business.

Forms

  • shelf company
  • shelf companies

Commentary

Shelf companies are used to bypass the time-consuming registration process, but their dormant status requires due diligence to avoid legal risks.

This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.

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