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Сommencement of bankruptcy proceedings upon an application by an connected person: problems of law enforcement

Slovo of the National School of Judges of Ukraine. №1(54) 2026. P.94-105

ISSN: 2707-6849    

UDC346.9:347.7

DOI https://doi.org/10.37566/2707-6849-2026-1(54)-9

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Valeriia RADZYVILIUK,

Doctor of Laws Sciences, Professor, Professor of the Department of Economic Law and Dispute resolution Educational and Scientific Institute of Law The Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv

ORCIDID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9562-8735

vradziv@hotmail.com

 

Petro DUBOVSKYI,

PhD Candidate, Department of Economic law and Dispute resolution, Educational and Scientific Institute of Law, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv

ORCIDID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-1861-948X

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Сommencement of bankruptcy proceedings upon an application by an connected person: problems of law enforcement


Abstract 

This article examines the legal status of connected persons in bankruptcy proceedings in the context of legislative changes and judicial practice, with particular focus on the stage of opening bankruptcy proceedings as a phase that entails significant legal consequences for the debtor and creditors. Based on an analysis of statutory regulation and the legal positions of the Supreme Court, the article identifies current approaches to initiating bankruptcy proceedings upon applications filed by connected creditors. It is shown that legal regulation has evolved from a narrow focus on avoidance of transactions to a broader model that also limits connected persons’ participation in key decision-making, including restrictions on voting rights in creditors’ bodies. At the same time, it is substantiated that current regulation and case law do not ensure proper legal certainty, as courts in some cases leave such applications by connected creditors without consideration based on presumed abuse of rights. The article argues that abuse of rights cannot be established on the basis of assumptions, as this would unjustifiably restrict access to justice. It concludes that a special procedural mechanism is needed to identify indicators of abuse of rights at the preparatory stage, with clearly defined procedural tools and time limits.

Keywords: bankruptcy, interested (connected) persons, creditor, opening of bankruptcy proceedings, restriction of decisive voting rights.

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SuggestedCitation: Radzyviliuk, V., Dubovskyi, P. (2026) Сommencement of bankruptcy proceedings upon an application by an connected person: problems of law enforcement. Slovo National School of Judges of Ukraine, 1 (54), 94–105.  https://doi.org/10.37566/2707-6849-2026-1(54)-9

Date of first submission of the article to the publication: 31.03.2026

Date of acceptance of the article for publication after review: 13.04.2026

Date of publication (publication): 22.04.2026