Insolvenza nell'Unione Europea: il principio di universalita nelle procedure concorsuali transfrontaliere

The principle of universality constitutes one of the cornerstones of insolvency proceedings. Thereunder, an all-inclusive procedural treatment for the economic situation of the common debtor is offered in such a way that the loans from a plurality of creditors can be satisfied in a more equitable and fair manner. The aim of this doctoral thesis, as reflected in its title, is to analyse how the principle of universality is projected in insolvency proceedings that take place in the European Union. In the context of its internal market, the intensity of the commercial exchanges between Member States compels to conjugate the vis attractiva concursus with one of the distinctive features of commercial activity: the vis expansiva commertius. Safeguarding the legal certainty in private trade and the proper functioning of the European Economic Area will only be possible if the European legislator offers an appropriate regulation to this challenge. The analysis is structured in four chapters, throughout which this issue will be dealt in its full scope. The first two chapters contain its background in the field of civil law, in the form of universal asset liability, and the examination of the universality principle in insolvency law. The third chapter considers the international dimension of insolvency, both on a global and European level. Finally, the fourth chapter discusses in detail how the principle of universality is translated into Regulation (EU) 2015/848 of the European Parliament and of the Council, of 20 May 2015, on insolvency proceedings.