GROUNDS FOR INITIATING INDIVIDUAL INSOLVENCY PROCEEDINGS UNDER THE LEGISLATION OF UKRAINE AND GERMANY

The article examines the grounds for initiating individual insolvency proceedings, which are regulated by Ukrainian and German law, as well as current positions of judicial practice in this area. Proposals are made to improve the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code of Ukraine and the Law of Ukraine «On Judicial Fees», which will have a positive impact on the legal regulation of insolvency of individuals and law enforcement practice in this area. It is established that in Ukraine the legislator uses not only the principle of insolvency or threat of insolvency to open an insolvency of a citizen, as is the case with a legal entity, but also payment inability. The author notes that using the principle of insolvency, the Ukrainian legislator in one case indicates the minimum amount of debt, and in another sets only the terms of suspension of payments and the minimum percentage of arrears, and in determining the threat of insolvency and payment inability does not provide any quantitative and qualitative characteristics. It is suggested that debtors must have the property in necessary amount to cover court costs when initiating insolvency proceedings. It is proposed to establish a court fee for filing an application for insolvency proceedings, differentiating its size depending on whether the individual debtor has the status of an individual-entrepreneur. It is noted that under German law, the procedure of insolvency of individuals may be opened at the request of both the debtor and the creditor. It is established that the opening of individual insolvency proceedings in Germany is possible only if there are additional grounds, such as: unsuccessful attempt of pre-trial settlement of debt within six months before the filing of the application for initiation of proceedings; availability of a certificate issued by a special entity and certifying a failed attempt of a pre-trial settlement; submission of an application for discharge from residual debt or an application for refusal of such discharge.