rechtsfähige

Rechtsfähige is the adjective used to describe someone or something that has legal personality or the capacity to possess rights and duties under the law. In civil law, the term relates to Rechtsfähigkeit, the fundamental ability to be a legal subject.

Rechtsfähigkeit applies to natural persons (people) and juristische Personen (legal entities such as corporations, associations and foundations). The key idea is that a legal subject can own rights (for example property, contracts, claims) and bear duties (such as obligations and liability). For natural persons, Rechtsfähigkeit begins at birth and ends at death. The law also recognises certain protections relevant to the unborn in specific contexts, but the foetus itself does not generally possess full Rechtsfähigkeit.

For juristische Personen, Rechtsfähigkeit arises through creation and registration under applicable statutes. Once established, these entities acquire legal personality and can act in the legal system—own property, enter into contracts, sue and be sued—through their authorized representatives.

Rechtsfähigkeit is distinct from other capacities such as Geschäftsfähigkeit (ability to perform legal acts) and Handlungsfähigkeit (capacity to act). While everyone with Rechtsfähigkeit may need Geschäftsfähigkeit to undertake specific transactions, the latter depends on age and mental state for natural persons. For example, minors may have limited Geschäftsfähigkeit, whereas juristische Personen act through designated organs.

In summary, rechtsfähige describes those who hold legal personality, whether as natural persons from birth or as registered legal entities, forming the baseline for rights, duties and legal proceedings within civil law.