The company – reflections on the nature and transmission of the company (in particular, partial universal transmission)

Synopsis

In 2018, the Scientific Council of the Faculty of Law at the University of Porto amended its Doctorate Regulations, establishing a system that recognises and highlights the best theses approved by FDUP. This system takes into account the quality of the theses and their scientific contribution, as well as their respective contribution to the advancement of legal science. Under the approved regulations, these theses must be published. To this end, the Faculty of Law proposed that U.Porto Press take on this task, which resulted in the creation of a new collection and editorial line called 'Summa Cum Laude'. The text being published here, the first in the collection, is the doctoral thesis of Jorge Simões Cortez. It was presented in the magnificent hall of the Faculty of Law in 2020 before a jury comprising Dr Jorge Manuel Coutinho de Abreu and Dr Alexandre Soveral Martins from the Faculty of Law at the University of Coimbra, Dr Pedro Caetano Nunes from the Faculty of Law at the New University of Lisbon, and Dr Miguel Pestana de Vasconcelos. Manuel Carneiro da Frada, Paulo de Tarso Domingues, and José Sá Reis from the University of Porto's Faculty of Law unanimously recommended it for distinction. (Opening note)

Table of Contents

• Opening Note ............................................... 9
• Author's Note ................................................ 17
• Acknowledgements ................................................. 19
• Abstract ....................................................... 21
• Summary ...................................................... 26
• Acronyms and Abbreviations ......................................... 29
• Introduction ................................................... 31
1. The initial idea and dissertation project ................. 35
2. Questions that arose ........................................ 39
3. The new dissertation project ............................... 43

Chapter I

Simple things and universalities, possession and ownership of intangible things, transmission (succession) by singular title and universal title: a brief essay

• Once again on the distinction between simple things and composite things or de facto universalities and the interpretation of Article 206 of the CC ........................................ 45
• Ownership and possession of the company: admissibility and limits .... 66
• Transfer by singular title and transfer (succession) by universal title ........................................ 73

Chapter II

The company as an object of rights

• The Portuguese system: essential aspects of the regulation of the company as an object of rights ........ 89
• The system in other countries: a brief overview ....................... 100

Chapter III

The role of the principles of specificity and universal transfer (succession) in the regulation of companies: reflection on the meaning and scope of Article 206 of the CC and the legal status of companies

• The legal nature of the company: general difficulties ............ 121
• The legal nature of the company: the Portuguese “dilemma” ........... 125
• The dichotomy provided for in Article 206 of the CC and the classification of the company as a simple thing ..... 129
• The classification of the company as a thing in the legal system, in Portuguese doctrine and case law ... 132
• The company as a simple, corporeal and movable thing .................. 134
• Ownership and possession of the company .................................. 141

Chapter IV

The role of the principles of speciality and universal, total or partial transfer (succession) in the regulation of demergers: reflection on the meaning and scope of Article 128 of the CSC

• Is the thesis presented contradicted by principles or rules in force in Portuguese positive law? .. 144
• Dogmatic significance and practical consequences of the proposed thesis: a brief overview ................................ 147
• Preliminary note: key concepts ................................. 161
• Difficulties in understanding and interpreting Article 128 of the CSC ....................................... 163
• The experience in Germany between 1994 and 2007. Difficulties in understanding and interpreting §132 of the UmwG ........................................ 177
• Lessons from the German experience for a better understanding and interpretation of Article 128 of the CSC (I): the legislative option ........................................ 187
• Lessons from the German experience for a better understanding and interpretation of Article 128 of the CSC (II): the doctrinal debate ....................................... 189
• Contributions to understanding the meaning and function of Article 128 of the CSC ....................................... 194
• The extension of the principle of universal, total or partial transmission (succession) to other situations in life ........................................ 214
• Conclusions .................................................... 219
• List of case law decisions referenced ............ 223
• List of bibliographical references ......................... 231
• Appendix I: Note on the thinking of Orlando de Carvalho and J. M. Coutinho de Abreu ........................................ 249
• Annex II: Excerpt from the text that served as the basis for the oral presentation of the doctoral thesis in the public defence .... 263