Legal Definitions - firma social

The term firma social refers to the official, legally registered name under which a corporation or partnership operates in jurisdictions governed by Spanish law. It is the formal designation recognized by authorities for all legal, administrative, and business purposes, distinguishing the entity from others.

• Example 1: A Large Spanish Retail Chain

  Imagine a prominent department store chain operating across Spain. Its official, registered name might be "Grandes Almacenes Ibéricos, S.A." (S.A. denotes a public limited company, a common corporate structure). This specific name, "Grandes Almacenes Ibéricos, S.A.," is its firma social. It is the name that appears on all its legal documents, property deeds, tax filings, and contracts, legally identifying the corporation as a distinct entity.

• Example 2: A Small Law Partnership in Argentina

  Consider two lawyers who decide to form a partnership to practice law in Buenos Aires, Argentina (a Spanish-speaking country). They might register their firm as "Estudio Jurídico Morales y Asociados, S.C." (S.C. often indicates a civil partnership or society). This registered name, "Estudio Jurídico Morales y Asociados, S.C.," is their firma social. It is the formal designation under which their partnership is legally recognized and authorized to conduct business, sign agreements, and represent clients.

• Example 3: A Foreign Company's Subsidiary in Mexico

  A large American technology company decides to establish a subsidiary in Mexico to manage its Latin American operations. While the parent company has its own name, the Mexican subsidiary must register its own distinct legal identity. It might be registered as "Tecnología Global México, S. de R.L. de C.V." (S. de R.L. de C.V. is a common form for a limited liability company in Mexico). This specific name, "Tecnología Global México, S. de R.L. de C.V.," serves as the subsidiary's firma social, allowing it to legally operate, enter into contracts, and be recognized as a separate legal entity within Mexico.