The Regulation of the Surety Contract in the System of the Romanian Civil Code

Abstract

The author of the following study presents the institution of surety as it is regulated in Romanian civil law. The notion of surety (in the sense of the person offering the guarantee) is presented, as well as the legal nature of the surety contract, and its defining characteristic of an accessory guarantee as well as the conclusion of the contract and the formal and material requirements for its validity. In the following, the author presents the various types of surety regulated in Romanian civil law. Regarding the effects of the surety contract the study presents the legal consequences specifically regulated in Romania, which arise when the debtor fails to respect his obligations. In the final part of the study, the reasons for the cessation of the effects of the surety contract, are presented, with special emphasis on the death of the surety (natural person), which, contrary to the apparent meaning of the legal text, does not result in the cancellation of any debt owed by the deceased surety in virtue of the surety contract. This debt shall remain due as part of the surety’s estate.