Rättssubjekt

Rättssubjekt is a legal term that refers to any entity that can have rights and obligations under the law. In simpler terms, it is a subject of law, meaning it can sue and be sued, own property, and enter into contracts. The most common type of rättssubjekt is a natural person, which is any human being. However, legal systems also recognize legal persons, also known as juridical persons or artificial persons. These are entities that are not human beings but are granted legal personality by the state. Examples of legal persons include corporations, foundations, associations, and government agencies.

The concept of rättssubjekt is fundamental to the functioning of any legal system. Without it, there would be no one to hold accountable for breaches of contract, no one to own property, and no one to enforce laws. The ability to be a rättssubjekt is determined by law. For natural persons, this typically begins at birth and ends at death, although certain rights and obligations may attach before birth or after death. For legal persons, their existence begins upon their formation according to legal requirements and ends upon their dissolution. The scope of rights and obligations that a particular rättssubjekt possesses can vary depending on its nature and the specific legal framework.