Asset Protection - Recht und Wirtschaft im nationalen und internationalen Umfeld

This research project will tackle the question as to whether and to which degree Liechtenstein private law and any related legal fields still meet the current requirements made of private wealth management, or whether there is a need for amendments to be made to the Persons and Companies Act for the purposes of asset protection. The research to be conducted will not only be of a legal nature, but also incorporate economic considerations. The aim of this project is to develop a definition of asset protection for Liechtenstein and to improve it, whilst maintaining the liberal approach typical of Liechtenstein. In doing so, its attractiveness and acceptance abroad will be increased and the status of the domestic financial centre will be bolstered in the long term. Special attention will be paid to the impact on business, so as to ensure that the future development of the financial centre continues to be advanced in an efficient manner. On the basis of the research conducted in respect of domestic and foreign academic literature and case law, a questionnaire will be drafted in the first phase of the project and sent to experts working in the industry. This will be undertaken to determine the needs of the industry, which will be taken into account during subsequent research work. Due to the international importance of asset protection, there will be enhanced cooperation with Anglo-American institutions, in order to gain insights into solutions which may be transferred into national law. The planned European Foundation will also be examined in regard to its suitability for asset protection, in order to take into account the alternative possibilities for protecting assets by placing them into philanthropic projects. The individual results of the research project will be published successively throughout the project duration. At the end of the project, an asset protection handbook containing the complete results of the research will be published.