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Managing directors’ liability and its limitation period

Specialist article in corporate law

The importance of limitation periods in liability proceedings

The question of the statute of limitations for claims for damages brought by a limited liability company against its managing directors is of great importance both in court proceedings and out-of-court negotiations. This is because the damage caused by management often only becomes apparent after some time. Incorrect decisions by management are not immediately apparent and do not alert the shareholders' meeting or the supervisory board.

Limitation period for claims for damages against GmbH managing directors according to Section 43 para. 4 GmbHG

The limitation period for claims for damages against managing directors of a GmbH is five years according to Section 43 (4) of the GmbH Act (GmbHG). This period begins to run from the time the claim arises. It is irrelevant whether the GmbH and its executive bodies have knowledge of the damage or whether the managing director is still in office. Liability claims against managers often become time-barred without anyone in the company knowing about the damage. This circumstance frequently leads to former managing directors asserting the statute of limitations and thus successfully defending themselves against claims for damages.

Methods for dealing with corporate liability

It can be argued that the statute of limitations only begins to run when the concealment ends, but this approach is complex and not universally applicable.

  • Malicious intent objection: Under certain circumstances, the GmbH may argue that the statute of limitations defense is inadmissible. This is the case, for example, if the company actively concealed the breach of duty.
  • Damages for tort: One promising option is to base the claim for damages on a tort. Unlike Section 43 (4) of the German Limited Liability Companies Act (GmbHG), tort claims only become time-barred when the company has knowledge of the circumstances causing the damage.
  • Character of a continuous action: In damaging legal proceedings that take place over a longer period of time, the entire liability event can be considered a single, continuous act. As a result, the limitation period only begins to run in the present.

The special case of the shareholder-managing director

If the managing director is both a shareholder and acts in breach of duty, the breach of duty may fall under the knowledge-dependent standard limitation period of Sections 195 and 199 of the German Civil Code (BGB) due to both his position as managing director and as shareholder.

Precision and an appropriate strategic approach

The statute of limitations for Managing director liability is a complex and sensitive issue. Companies and their lawyers must carefully consider how to address this dilemma. The strategies mentioned offer options for overcoming the statute of limitations defense, but they should always be considered in the context of the specific case and the applicable case law.

In a liability lawsuit, sensitivity and the right litigation strategy are always crucial. Overall, it is important to note that overcoming the knowledge-independent statute of limitations for managing directors' liability under Section 43 of the German Limited Liability Companies Act (GmbH) can be complex and depends on the specific circumstances of the individual case.

The very best strategy However, the Avoiding a court caseLegal proceedings can always hold unpleasant surprises. Therefore, it is important to present the approaches presented here for overcoming the statute of limitations in pre-trial negotiations with the former managing director. The injuring party must be convinced that a lost court case will entail even greater downsides than a quick, fair settlement. To achieve this, companies must seek experienced legal advice early on and agree on the best course of action. In our experience, such tactical approaches often prove promising, especially when D&O insurance is involved.

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