THE IMPACT OF THE MATRIMONIAL PROPERTY REGIME ON COMMERCIAL COMPANIES ACCORDING TO ALBANIAN LEGISLATION

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study is to examine the interaction between the legal discipline of matrimonial property regimes and the commercial activities of spouses that are established before or during marriage. It aims to investigate how the legal community impacts commercial companies, specifically in the hypothesis where the shareholder of the company is married. There is ongoing debate within legal circles about whether shares of a commercial company established by one spouse during marriage or acquired through a legal transaction are part of the legal community. Regarding this matter, several issues arise: whether the participation in the company's initial capital is governed by community administration rules, which is the legal nature of shares acquired by one spouse, and how the marital community regime interplays with commercial legislation. Another issue that has engaged legal doctrine is whether the spouse of a shareholder is recognised as a shareholder and can participate in the company administration. Albanian Family Code lacks specificity on shares, mainly addressing small family businesses. The study of the interaction of these two disciplines aims to assist jurisprudence because, despite some cases of the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court in recent years, this is still a relatively new field for Albanian doctrine and jurisprudence. Methods: The research methodology adopted for this paper employs a multi-faceted approach, integrating desk research, legal analysis, case law review, and a comparative study. It encompasses an examination of relevant national legislation, as well as foreign legislation from civil law tradition countries such as France and Italy. Furthermore, European soft law, notably the principles of the European Commission of Family Law (CEFL) focusing on matrimonial property issues, has been reviewed. Our research methodology includes gathering and analysing existing studies and academic literature on matrimonial property regimes. To better understand the norms of the Family Code regarding matrimonial property regimes, we will analyse Italian and French doctrine and jurisprudence, as well as the legal systems based on which the Albanian Family Code has been drafted. It should be emphasised that while this paper’s primary aim is not solely comparative analysis, it strives to assist in better understanding and implementation of the legal community regime as the most used regime by spouses in practice. Also, a comprehensive comparative analysis has been conducted, comparing Albanian legislation and the CEFL Principles, to identify key similarities, differences, and potential areas for enhancement within legal frameworks. Moreover, the jurisprudence of both Albanian and foreign High courts has been extensively utilised to enrich the analysis and provide insights into practical applications of legal principles. Results and Conclusions: The solution to the abovementioned issues depends on the company’s legal structure and articles of participation rules and requires a combined interpretation of matrimonial property regimes and commercial law. In this combined interpretation of the rules, protecting the rights and interests of all involved subjects, the interests of the spouses and those of the commercial company as a legal entity is crucial.