What the law permits
Article 39(4) permits a petition based on multiple obligations; paragraph 5 permits several bankruptcy creditors or employees and former employees to combine claims in one petition. The participating applicants sign it subject to representation requirements.
This guide concerns several creditors commencing a legal entity’s bankruptcy. If a case already exists, establish its stage and the appropriate joining procedure rather than mechanically filing another petition. See the general creditor-petition guide.
Test the aggregate threshold
Article 6 generally requires at least RUB 2 million in aggregate claims against a legal entity. Special debtor categories and grounds may have different rules. The threshold is only one condition: delay, qualifying components and standing must also be checked.
| Hypothetical creditor | Qualifying principal | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| A | RUB 900,000 | Court ruling and enforcement records |
| B | RUB 700,000 | Court ruling and outstanding balance |
| C | RUB 500,000 | Court ruling and outstanding balance |
| Total | RUB 2,100,000 | 900,000 + 700,000 + 500,000 |
The illustrative threshold is met only if all amounts qualify. If RUB 150,000 of C’s debt is repaid, the balance is RUB 1,950,000: 2,100,000 − 150,000. Do not retain the original total after repayment or add penalties without analysing their treatment.
Evidence for every applicant
- Name, address, identifiers and representative details.
- Contract, performance records, origin and due date.
- Required judicial confirmation and effective date, or the statutory exception actually applicable.
- Outstanding balance with payments and principal, interest and sanctions separated.
- The proper signatory’s signature or authority for representation in bankruptcy.
A power of attorney issued by A does not authorise signing for B and C. Combining claims neither assigns them to one participant nor makes the applicants joint and several creditors.
Coordinate and submit the package
- Verify the debtor’s taxpayer number, address, notices and pending cases.
- Prepare individual calculations and a consolidated table identifying the evidence for each line.
- Check Article 7 standing for each claim. Ordinary bankruptcy creditors need the prescribed judicial confirmation; another applicant’s exception does not cover everyone.
- Review prior intention notices: the general rule requires publication at least 15 calendar days before filing; the information expires after 30 days. The applicants and relevance of the notices must be evidenced.
- Agree the text, signatures, costs and responsibility for documents.
- Check the fee, debtor service and mandatory exhibits. Preserve filing receipts and monitor the court response.
📑 Practical exhibit order
Consolidated calculation; A’s file — ruling, contract, performance, payments and authority; equivalent B and C files; notices and service evidence; fee and other mandatory documents. Number pages so each consolidated line points to its supporting file.
What joint filing does not guarantee
Several applicants do not guarantee commencement, full recovery or appointment of a particular practitioner. The court tests statutory conditions and merits. If a claim falls away, recalculate the balance and assess the consequences; disclose repayments.
Each claim retains its own basis and amount after a procedure begins. Voting follows the established status, not responsibility for assembling the documents. For an existing procedure, see corporate register admission.
Frequently asked questions
Must all claims be assigned to one creditor?
Article 39(5) does not itself require assignment. A joint procedural filing differs from a sale of claims.
Can a disputed debt be added merely to reach the threshold?
The conditions for that claim must be established. A consolidated table does not resolve whether a debt exists or replace required judicial confirmation.
Can one representative sign for everyone?
With appropriate authority from every represented applicant. Check form and scope; one participant cannot grant authority on behalf of the others.
Sources and review date
Legal provisions checked on 23 October 2026. Future amendments not yet in force were not applied. Examples are hypothetical.
For a joint-filing assessment, bring each creditor’s rulings, calculations, repayment records and prior notices.
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