CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY BEYOND THE ENTITY: LESSONS FOR VIETNAM FROM ANGLO-AMERICAN LAW
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18623/rvd.v22.n4.3390Keywords:
Piercing The Corporate Veil, Liability, Business Entity, Enterprise LawAbstract
The use of business entities as legal shields for criminal or fraudulent activities has become a pervasive issue in today’s economy. To effectively combat such misconduct, it is crucial to pierce the corporate veil that hides the true perpetrators behind these entities. This article explores the legal doctrine of veil piercing, which enables courts to disregard the separate legal personality of a corporation when fraud or other wrongful acts are committed under its guise. The analysis centers on two key questions: (1) what conditions warrant the application of the doctrine, and (2) whether liability should be confined to the shareholders’ invested capital or extend to their personal assets once the veil is lifted. The article also examines the application of this doctrine in Vietnam, analyzing relevant provisions in the country’s Enterprise Law and related regulations through case studies. Drawing from these insights, the article provides recommendations for businesses and policymakers to minimize legal risks and reduce unintended economic consequences for society.
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