Company forms & group structures · Working
Shell company
Also called: shell corporation
ELI5
A legal entity with little or no active operations, whose legitimacy depends on purpose and use.
Used in conversation
“Do not describe shell company as agreed until the operative document says so.”
Pitch context
You will see “Shell company” in board papers, contracts, policies, risk registers and compliance reports when the discussion reaches company forms & group structures.
Why it matters: In company forms & group structures, a loose definition can change rights, obligations, approval, disclosure or enforceability.
Caution
Meaning, enforceability and required process vary by jurisdiction and agreement; this definition is not legal advice.
Sources & evidence · 3
Direct term-level sources and supporting source families.
- OECD — G20/OECD Principles of Corporate Governance 2023Direct source · institutional · checked 2026-08-16
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission — EDGAR and filing resourcesDirect source · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- National Institute of Standards and Technology — Computer Security Resource Center GlossarySupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16