A natural person is an individual human being, as distinguished from a corporation, trust, estate, or other legal entity.
Why a natural person matters
A natural person matters because some legal rights, duties, protections, liabilities, and statuses apply specifically to human beings. Other rules apply to legal entities such as corporations or trusts.
The distinction can affect standing, capacity, employment law, criminal liability, constitutional rights, and statutory interpretation.
Where a natural person appears
Natural-person language appears in statutes, contracts, privacy laws, consumer-protection laws, corporate law, estate documents, court rules, and legal definitions.
Practical example
A statute may protect the privacy rights of natural persons while imposing separate requirements on companies that collect personal data.
How a natural person differs from nearby terms
A natural person differs from a legal person because legal person can include organizations or entities recognized by law. It differs from a party because a party is someone involved in a legal proceeding or agreement.
Related terms
Quick knowledge check
Why might a statute distinguish between a natural person and a business entity?