The Menagerie of Organizational Forms in Germany Company Law

Abstract

Company law lives and breathes with its different forms of association. Consequently, the emergence and evolution of these forms is a central topic of research for company law scholars. This paper seeks to depict the panoramic landscape of German company and partnership law. Special attention is given to new and rediscovered forms of association as well as to the various regulatory techniques used to introduce novel types of business association. In addition, a comparison with the foreign repertoire of organizational vehicles shows in which respects there may still be room for the creation of new forms of association in Germany.

Keywords: Company law, new types of business organizations, emergence and evolution of organizational forms, German company and partnership law