DERIVATIVE ACTIONS
IN FRANCE, ITALY AND THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION:
A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
R.A. CHICHAKYAN,
Master’s Degree in Law at the MGIMO University,
LL.M. in Commercial Law at the Manchester University,
PhD Researcher at the University of Turin
DOI: 10.24031/1992-2043-2018-18-5-7-49
In Russian corporate law a derivative action to the Company was considered as a direct
action for a long time. In that case the shareholder (participant) in his own behalf
redress an injury sustained directly by him for which he is entitled to personal relief by
challenging the transactions of the Company and in recovering the damages. After the
recognition of concept of derivative claims in Russia, the doctrinal and law enforcement
issues arouse. Nevertheless, there are the same issues in Russian, France and Italian legal
systems, the concepts of which are tackled by judicial practice and doctrine. In view of
this, it is necessary to answer the following relevant issues in the comparative study of
derivative actions in France, Italy and Russia: how the protection of minority shareholders
is ensured, whether representatives may participate on behalf of the company, how the
problem of the positions of the participants in respect of the claim is being tackled, what is
the nature of the derivative claim, how is the limitation period accordingly run, etc.?
The results of this study may contribute to the development of corporate law and the
settlement of some controversial issues, the result of which may be the improvement of
the investment climate in Russia.
Keywords: right to bring a derivative action; duration and commencement of the
limitation period; protection of minority shareholders’ rights.
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Information about the author
Chichakyan R.A. (Moscow) – Master’s Degree in Law at the MGIMO University,
LL .M. in Commercial Law at the Manchester University, PhD Researcher at the
University of Turin (Campus Luigi Einaudi, Lungo Dora Siena, 100 A, 10153, Torino
TO, Italy; e-mail: Rimmach94@gmail.com).