Asset Partitioning in Roman Law

Abstract

This article describes results of analysis of the problem of asset partitioning in Roman law. Under asset partitioning the author understands the legal technique, which consists in giving property or part of it a special legal regime, which usually manifests in the relationship with creditors (the division of property into pools of assets available to different creditors), but may also manifest outside of the relationship with creditors. Various forms of asset partitioning are analyzed on the example of the following institutions of Roman law: dowry, peculium, lying inheritance, fiscal, societas publicanorum, property of municipalities, property of partnerships and families, common property. The author analyses the economic and socio-political reasons for the asset partitioning in Roman law, as well as the legal constructions by which it occurred. The article compares the legal institutions of Roman law related to asset partitioning with the institutions of modern law in Russia. The article also explores the question of the relationship of property separation with more studied and widespread legal structures (legal entity and retroactive force). Particular attention is paid to the problem of a legal entity (fictitious person) in Roman law in the context of the issue of asset partitioning and limited liability. The article shows the influence of Roman law on the existing legal systems and provides modern examples of the use of legal asset partitioning in foreign legal systems. The author substantiates the prospects of research and use of asset partitioning as an independent legal technique.