Legal Definitions - corpus corporatum

The term corpus corporatum is a historical Latin phrase that translates to "corporate body" or "corporation." It refers to a group of individuals recognized by law as a single, distinct entity, separate from its individual members. This entity was capable of holding property, entering into agreements, and often had a perpetual existence, meaning it continued regardless of changes in its membership.

Here are some examples illustrating the concept of a corpus corporatum:

• Medieval Craft Guild: Consider the "Mercers' Company" in 14th-century London. This guild was a corpus corporatum because it was formally chartered, allowing it to own property (like its guildhall), create and enforce its own regulations for trade, and represent its members collectively in legal matters. The guild, as an entity, had a legal identity distinct from any individual merchant who belonged to it, and it continued to operate even as members joined, retired, or passed away.

• Chartered Borough or City: A town like Norwich, upon receiving a royal charter in the 12th century, became a corpus corporatum. This charter granted the town, as a collective body, specific rights and privileges, such as the ability to govern itself, levy local taxes, and establish its own courts. The "City of Norwich" existed as a legal person, separate from its individual residents, and could hold assets or enter into agreements in its own name.

• Early University: The University of Paris, established in the 12th century, functioned as a corpus corporatum. It was recognized as a distinct legal entity that could own buildings, receive endowments from patrons, and grant degrees. The university, as an institution, had a continuous existence and legal standing independent of the specific students, professors, or administrators who were part of it at any given time.