CORPORATE COMPLIANCE AND CRIMINAL LIABILITY OF LEGAL ENTITIES: INTERNATIONAL LEGAL STANDARDS, CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND MODERN CHALLENGES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/Keywords:
corporate compliance, criminal liability, legal entities, corporate crime, anti-corruption, money laundering, corporate governance, compliance programs, multinational corporations, corporate accountability.Abstract
The rapid globalization of economic relations and the expansion of multinational corporations have significantly transformed the nature of modern criminality. Corporate misconduct increasingly involves complex financial schemes, corruption, money laundering, environmental crimes, tax evasion, and transnational fraud. In response to these developments, many legal systems have adopted the concept of criminal liability of legal entities and strengthened corporate compliance mechanisms aimed at preventing corporate crime. This article examines the theoretical foundations and practical implementation of corporate criminal liability, analyzes international legal standards governing corporate compliance, and evaluates the effectiveness of compliance programs in preventing corporate misconduct. Particular attention is devoted to international anti-corruption frameworks, anti-money laundering regulations, deferred prosecution agreements, and major international corporate scandals. The article further identifies challenges associated with corporate accountability in the digital era and proposes recommendations for strengthening compliance culture and legal enforcement mechanisms.
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