Though the distinction between public and private law has been known from the Roman law times, the conception of a legal person in these spheres is disputable in the countries with various legal traditions. For a long time the term public law has not been used in Russian law and by legal doctrine. Nevertheless, the legal reform makes it necessary to develop this category. The legal person in public law has features similar to those the legal person in private law possesses, but at the same time there are some distinctions. Distinct features of a legal person exist in public law in Russian and foreign legislation. There is a tendency to make difference between these categories though there are features similar to legal persons in public and private law.