ReleaseWire

The Change of Company Object of a GmbH (Limited Liability Company) Can Be Considered a Re-Establishment

On 03.06.2012, the Federal Supreme Court (BGH) held that the resumption of business operations associated with a new company object should be classified as an economic re-establishment. This must be disclosed to the court of registration; otherwise liability was likely to arise.

Posted: Wednesday, May 14, 2014 at 3:15 AM CDT

Cologne, NRW -- (SBWire) -- 05/14/2014 --GRP Rainer Lawyers Tax Advisors, Cologne, Berlin, Bonn, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Munich, Stuttgart, Frankfurt http://www.grprainer.com exemplify: In the present case, the insolvency administrator brought on an action against the assets of a GmbH in insolvency proceedings. After a temporary closure, the GmbH resumed business activities. With the entry in the commercial register, it registered the transfer of the company’s domicile and the new managing director. A change of corporate object, however, was not indicated. The defendant acquired the sole company share at a price of 7,500 euros. Afterwards, the company filed for bankruptcy. The plaintiff then claimed payment of the insolvency debts from the defendant, as owner of all shares.

The Federal Supreme Court confirmed that the change of company object equals the new economic establishment of the company. It also adjudicated the disputed question about how liability is determined if the re-establishment is withheld from the Commercial Register. According to the Federal Supreme Court, it is crucial whether there was a shortfall between the new assets of the company and the registered share capital during the re-establishment process. In such a case, extensive liability for impairment of capital of the owner of the shares would be considered.

About GRP Rainer LLP
http://www.grprainer.com/en/ is an international firm of lawyers and tax advisors who are specialists in commercial law. The firm counsels commercial and industrial companies and corporations, as well as associations, small- and mid-sized businesses, self-employed freelancers and private individuals worldwide from offices Cologne, Berlin, Bonn, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich, Stuttgart and London UK.
Contact Michael Rainer
Lawyer, Managing Partner

GRP Rainer LLP
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50672 Cologne
Germany

Phone: +49 221-27 22 75-0
info@grprainer.com
http://www.grprainer.com/en/Company-Law.html