Public limited companies (PLCs) are legal in the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, and certain Commonwealth countries. Having a minimum share capital of £50,000 and the initials PLC after its name, it is a limited liability company whose shares may be freely traded and sold. Similar companies are referred to as publicly traded companies in the United States. A PLC will also have its own legal identity.

A public limited company, also known as a public company, is a corporate entity that is traded on the open market. The ownership of these companies are divided between shareholders who buy shares in the company.

A public limited company (PLC) is a type of business organisation that offers its shares to the general public through a stock exchange. It is legally required to include "PLC" in its name and must follow strict regulations regarding transparency and financial reporting. PLCs are owned by shareholders who have limited liability, meaning they are only responsible for the company’s debts up to the amount they invested. Public companies must have a minimum share capital and are subject to oversight by regulatory bodies. The key advantage of a PLC is its ability to raise large amounts of capital from public investors. However, it also faces increased scrutiny, disclosure requirements, and the pressure of maintaining shareholder value and public confidence.