s 4 Private and public companies
(1) A “private company” is any company that is not a public company. (2) A “public company” is a company limited by shares or limited by guarantee and having a share capital— (a) whose certificate of incorporation states that it is a public company, and (b) in relation to which the requirements of this Act, or the former Companies Acts, as to registration or re-registration as a public company have been complied with on or after the relevant date. (3) For the purposes of subsection (2)(b) the relevant date is— (a) in relation to registration or re-registration in Great Britain, 22nd December 1980; (b) in relation to registration or re-registration in Northern Ireland, 1st July 1983. (4) For the two major differences between private and public companies, see Part 20.