The ABGB is the foundational private-law code, but companies, foundations and trusts also require the PGR and special statutes.
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ABGB · LR 210.0 · LGBl. 1003 Nr. 1 · Editorial explanation · not an official translation
Liechtenstein Civil Law: Practical Guide to the ABGB
The ABGB is in force in the LILEX consolidation effective 1 April 2026. This is an independently authored editorial explanation, not an official translation or a publication of the complete text; special statutes and the facts of the relationship must be checked separately.
Editorial explanation · not an official translation
Key takeaways
This is an independently authored explanation of official materials, not an official translation or a reproduction of the complete text. The current German version, transitional provisions and the facts of the matter must be checked before reliance.
Contract analysis starts with capacity, authority, form, subject matter, consideration and the consequences of defective performance.
Proprietary rights, possession and disposition should not be confused with a contractual claim; registration and land rules form a separate layer.
Succession and family consequences require coordination of the ABGB with the IPRG, testamentary documents, reserved shares and the asset structure.
01
ABGB system and special-law boundaries
The ABGB covers the general institutions of private law: persons, family and succession relationships, property and obligations. Application begins not with an isolated paragraph but with correct characterisation of the relationship. Corporate capacity and organs also follow the PGR, conflicts questions the IPRG, land registration special property rules and regulated activity sector statutes. A legal map should therefore identify parties, authority, subject matter, asset location, governing law and mandatory rules before drafting an agreement or forming a dispute position.
02
Contract, performance and remedies
A transaction review tests the capacity of the party and signatory, agreement on essential terms, required form, conditions and timing, and the relationship among the principal contract, security and corporate approvals. On breach, performance, cure, termination, price reduction and damages are distinct remedies; availability depends on the obligation, breach, notice and causation. In practice, document versions, authority evidence, performance records and notices should be preserved, and contract claims should not be merged with tort or unjust enrichment without separate characterisation.
03
Property, family and succession
Capital planning should separately describe legal title, possession, economic interest, matrimonial regime and succession outcome for each asset. Transfers by contract, will, foundation or trust can have different proprietary and obligation effects, while spouse, heir and creditor rights cannot be assessed only from a structure's internal documents. A cross-border family requires review of the IPRG, nationality and habitual residence, asset location, disposition form and recognition of documents. The ABGB supplies the starting substantive framework, but the conclusion follows only after these layers are combined.
LILEX · LLV · FMA
Official sources
This is an independently authored explanation of official materials, not an official translation or a reproduction of the complete text. The current German version, transitional provisions and the facts of the matter must be checked before reliance.
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Discuss the legal positionEditorial explanation · not an official translation. This is an independently authored explanation of official materials, not an official translation or a reproduction of the complete text. The current German version, transitional provisions and the facts of the matter must be checked before reliance.