Similarities and Differences of Approaches to the Legal Regulation of Subsidiary Liability of Persons Controlling the Debtor in Russian and Foreign Law

Abstract

The paper constitutes a comparative legal study of some aspects of subsidiary liability of persons controlling the debtor and its foreign counterparts. Taking into account the experience of foreign countries in the regulation of these relations, the author draws parallels between different approaches to this legal phenomenon using foreign literature and judicial practice. The key aspect of the problem of liability of persons controlling the debtor is the existence of two opposite legal principles: organizational and property isolation of a legal entity and inadmissibility of abuse of the right. Bringing the persons controlling the debtor to subsidiary liability makes it possible to erase the boundaries of isolation of a legal entity and to identify its property with the property of its controlling persons for the purpose of satisfying the creditors’ claims. Thus, creditors of a legal entity have the opportunity to restore the violated right at the expense of the property of a de facto third party that is not a party to the original obligations. In foreign legal orders, the study of this ratio takes place over a long period. During this time, a certain theoretical understanding was formed, as well as law enforcement practice in this area.