Problems of Determining the Will of Legal Entities in Connection with their Abstract Essence (Vindication Disputes Case Study)

Abstract

The paper deals with the issues of the formation of the will of a legal entity with due regard to the need to establish the nature of the disposal of property for the purposes of vindication (either voluntary or involuntary). The author gives examples of various theories of a legal entity. The author highlights the difficulties of participation of legal entities in vindication disputes due to their abstract essence and the absence of a physical and tangible embodiment of a legal entity. The author concludes that the will of individuals (exercising the powers of the bodies of a legal entity) actually replaces the will of a legal entity. The paper also discusses the features of the formation of the will of a legal entity with a plurality of will-forming and/or will-exercising individuals, for example, if: 1) the decision on the alienation or transfer of property is made by a group of individuals (general meeting of participants, board of directors), or 2) the powers of the sole executive body are granted to several persons, or 3) several sole executive bodies have been formed in a legal entity. With regard to these features, the author concludes which persons’ will is considered the will of a legal entity.