Lawyer Pavel PetrovLawyer Pavel Petrov

RURU ENEN

Bankruptcy of a Peasant Farm and Its Head in Russia: Procedure

In briefPeasant farms are governed by special Articles 217–223 of Federal Law No. 127-FZ. A voluntary petition is filed by the farm head registered as an individual entrepreneur with written consent from every member. Common farm assets enter the estate, while personally owned property acquired outside common farm funds may be excluded if properly proved.

The head files

A voluntary petition requires written consent from all farm members.

Seasonality matters

The filing includes expected income after the relevant agricultural period.

The complex is sold first

The law first seeks a sale of the enterprise or production complex as a whole.

Grounds and filing

Article 217 uses inability to satisfy monetary creditors, employee claims and mandatory payments. Under Article 218, the head signs the voluntary petition and all members provide written consent.

The filing also describes farm assets, personally owned member property and its acquisition sources, and income expected after the agricultural season. The same evidence accompanies the head’s response to a creditor petition.

Estate property

AssetGeneral treatmentEvidence
Farm landIncluded subject to land-transfer restrictionsTitle, use and restrictions
Buildings and structuresIncluded when used for production, storage or processingTitle and purpose
Animals, poultry and produceFarm propertyAccounts, acquisition and existence
Land lease rightsMay have monetary valueLease, term and transferability
Personal member propertyExcluded if a separate source is provedDate, funding source and records

Current Article 221 expressly covers land, capital and non-capital structures, animals, produce and other necessary assets. A bare assertion that an asset is personal is insufficient; acquisition outside common farm funds must be documented.

Land remains regulated. Agricultural land may transfer only to the extent permitted by land legislation.

Sale sequence

Article 222 first requires auction of the farm enterprise. If unsold, the production and technology complex is offered as one lot. Only after those attempts may assets be sold under the later insolvency stages. Agricultural producers owning adjoining land receive the statutory preferential opportunity in the specified sale stage.

Consequences

Once the farm is declared bankrupt and liquidation proceedings open, the head’s registration as an individual entrepreneur ceases. Member exposure on particular obligations depends on contract participation, guarantees, common property and other legal grounds.

Practical steps

  1. Confirm the farm form, members and head’s register status.
  2. Separate farm debts, personal debts and secured obligations.
  3. Inventory land, machinery, animals, produce and lease rights.
  4. Document the acquisition source of personal member property.
  5. Prepare a realistic seasonal income forecast.
  6. Assess preservation of the enterprise or complex before filing.

See insolvency indicators and bankruptcy auctions.

Frequently asked questions

May the head file without member consent?

No. Article 218 requires written consent from every member for a voluntary filing.

Does a member’s personal vehicle enter the estate?

Not necessarily, if separate ownership and acquisition outside common farm funds are proved.

Can land be sold separately?

That depends on the sale stage and land restrictions; the enterprise or complex is offered first.

Does the head lose entrepreneur status?

Yes, when bankruptcy is declared and liquidation proceedings open.

Is a future harvest considered?

Expected income after the relevant agricultural period must be included in the filing evidence.

Official sources

Farm facing insolvency?

We can assess debts, assets, member consents and seasonal income without promising a predetermined result.

Initial consultation