SELF-EMPLOYED INDIVIDUALS AS PARTIES TO ECONOMIC DISPUTES: A SCIENTIFIC AND LEGAL ANALYSIS

The rapid transformation of the global economy, driven by the digitalization of labor and the rise of the “gig economy” has led to the emergence of a unique economic subject: the self-employed individual. This article examines the legal status of self-employed individuals within the framework of economic disputes. It analyzes the dual nature of their activities, which oscillate between entrepreneurial and labor-like characteristics, and explores the resulting jurisdictional and procedural complexities. Through a review of scientific literature and judicial practice, the article highlights the ongoing polemics regarding the protection of “economically dependent” self-employed individuals and the criteria for distinguishing genuine self-employment from “sham” arrangements. The study concludes with recommendations for legislative refinement to ensure legal certainty and equitable dispute resolution.