An unincorporated association refers to a group of people in common law jurisdictions—such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and New Zealand—who organize around a shared purpose without forming a corporation or similar legal entity. Unlike in some civil law systems, where associations gain legal personality upon registration, these groups lack such status and arise from contract rather than formal incorporation. They are distinct from partnerships because their members do not unite for profit. Easy to form with minimal formalities, unincorporated associations offer flexibility but no separate legal identity.
These associations require a contractual relationship—without it, a casual group like friends meeting regularly doesn’t qualify, no matter how often they gather. Under common law contract rules, they can even form unintentionally, as members may not realize their agreement creates an association. Often viewed as informal institutions, they aim for permanence and recognition apart from their individuals, spanning tiny groups (like an amateur football team splitting pitch costs) to vast organizations (like co-operatives, trade unions, or professional associations with thousands of members).
