Commentary on Judgment No. 9460 of 2024: Transfer of Business Branch and Civil Liability

The recent judgment No. 9460 of April 9, 2024, issued by the Court of Cassation, sheds light on important reflections regarding the transfer of a business branch and the related implications for civil liability. The decision is based on principles established by the Civil Code, particularly Article 2560, concerning business transfers and insurance obligations.

The Regulatory Context

The ruling analyzes the relationship between the transfer of a business branch and the civil liability of the insurer. According to Article 2560 of the Civil Code, the transferor is jointly liable for insurance obligations if, at the time of the transfer, a debt position can be established. This implies that the insured (the transferred third party) must have already paid the premium, and the coverage must be active at the time the unlawful act occurs.

Insurance for civil liability - Transfer of business branch - Article 2560 of the Civil Code - Applicability - Conditions - Existence of the transferor's debt at the time of transfer - Reference moment - Verification of the unlawful act - Reasons. In the context of civil liability insurance, in the event of a transfer of a business branch by the insurer who entered into the policy, Article 2560 of the Civil Code applies - resulting in the solidarity of the transferor in the insurance obligation - if at the time of the transfer a mere debt position can be configured for the transferor, that is, when the insured (transferred third party) has paid the premium and the insurer's obligation has already arisen due to the occurrence of the unlawful act covered, as the obligation under Article 1917 of the Civil Code arises with the compensatory obligation of the insured towards the injured party.

The Implications of the Judgment

This judgment clearly reveals that, for insurance obligations to remain valid after the transfer of a business branch, it is essential for a debt to exist at the time of the transfer. If the insured has already paid the premium and the unlawful act has occurred, the insurer is obligated to intervene. This underscores the importance of proper management of insurance policies during transfer operations.

  • The solidarity of the transferor in the insurance obligations.
  • The necessity to verify the existence of a debt at the time of transfer.
  • The responsibilities of the insurer in the event of an already occurred loss.

Conclusions

Judgment No. 9460 of 2024 clarifies important aspects related to civil liability and the transfer of a business branch. It provides valuable guidance for businesses facing the transfer of activities, highlighting the need for careful evaluation of existing insurance policies. Understanding how the insurer's liability is structured in such contexts is crucial to avoid future legal issues and ensure a smooth transition.

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