Published by De Gruyter

Volume 3 Issue 1

Issue of European Review of Contract Law

Contents
Journal Overview

March 20, 2007

Culture and Contract Laws

Ole Lando

Page range: 1-20

Abstract

In the article it is argued that the wish to preserve the cultural values of national law should not prevent the EU from preparing a Code or an Optional Instrument. The no-code countries on the British Isles and in Scandinavia are the most ardent opponents to the idea of unifying European Contract Law by way of a code on Contracts. In both these regions however the absence of a code causes problems. In England a prominent writer has found that the major weakness of the judge-made law is its immense diffusion and the consequent difficulty of access to it and the Nordic countries face the same problem. Looking at the issues where the rules are different the explanation is one of tradition Résumé L'article soutient que le souhait de préserver les valeurs culturelles des droits nationaux ne devrait pas empêcher l'UE de préparer un code ou un instrument optionnel. Les pays sans code sur les îles britanniques et en Scandinavie sont les opposants les plus durs à l'idée d'unifier le droit contractuel européen par un code relatif au droit des contrats. Néanmoins l'absence d'un code dans ces pays cause des problèmes. En Angleterre, un éminent auteur a constaté que le principal point faible du droit fait par les juges est son caractère diffus, et la difficulté subséquente d'y avoir accès et que les pays nordiques sont confrontés au même problème. En regardant les domaines dans lesquels les règles sont différentes, une explication peut être trouvée dans la tradition. Kurzfassung Der Beitrag legt dar, dass der Wunsch die kulturellen Ausprägungen des nationalen Rechts zu bewahren, die EU nicht davon abhalten sollte ein Gesetzbuch oder ein optionales Intrument vorzubereiten. Die Länder ohne Gesetzbuch auf den Britischen Inseln und in Skandinavien sind die härtesten Gegner der Idee, das Europäische Vertragsrecht mittels eines Vertragsgesetzbuches zu vereinheitlichen. Gerade in diesen Rechtsordnungen verursacht jedoch das Fehlen eines Gesetzbuches Probleme. In England hat ein namhafter Autor herausgefunden, dass der Hauptschwachpunkt des Richterrechts dessen Unübersichtlichkeit und die daraus folgenden Schwierigkeiten beim Zugang hierzu sind. Die nordischen Länder haben auch mit diesem Problem zu kämpfen. Eine Untersuchung der Bereiche, in denen unterschiedliche Regelungen getroffen wurden, ergibt, dass die Unterschiede traditionell bedingt sind.

March 20, 2007

Exerting Pressure in Contractual Negotiations

Horst Eidenmüller

Page range: 21-40

Abstract

Exerting pressure is part and parcel of the contracting process. Each side tries to maximise its share of the profit from cooperation. From a jurisprudential perspective, the most interesting question is this: which forms of pressure are permissible and which are not? The various European jurisdictions differ significantly in their answer to this question. This article attempts to develop a convincing normative conception for the legislative treatment of pressure in contractual negotiations. It thereby hopes to contribute to the foundations of European contract law. The conception developed draws heavily from economics and negotiation theory. Résumé L'emploi de moyens de pression fait partie du processus de négociation contractuelle. Chaque partie cherche à maximiser le bénéfice qu'elle tire de la coopération. D'un point de vue juridique, la question la plus intéressante consiste à savoir, parmi les moyens de pressions, ceux qui sont admissibles, et ceux qui, en revanche, ne le sont pas. A cet égard, les droits nationaux en Europe font apparaître des différences profondes. Cet article entreprend de proposer un régime convaincant des moyens de pressions pendant la période contractuelle, en s'inspirant surtout de la théorie de la négociation et de l'analyse économique du droit. L'article cherche ainsi à contribuer aux fondations du droit européen des contrats. Kurzfassung Der Einsatz von Druckmitteln spielt in Vertragsverhandlungen eine große Rolle. Jede Seite versucht, ihren Anteil an dem Kooperationsgewinn zu maximieren. Aus rechtswissenschaftlicher Sicht lautet die zentrale Frage, welche Druckmittel zulässig sind und welche nicht. Insoweit bestehen zwischen den europäischen Zivilrechtsordnungen erhebliche Unterschiede. In diesem Artikel wird der Versuch unternommen, die genannte Frage auf der Basis der Verhandlungstheorie und der ökonomischen Theorie zu beantworten und so eine überzeugende normative Konzeption für die gesetzgeberische Behandlung des Einsatzes von Druckmitteln in Vertragsverhandlungen zu entwickeln. Der Artikel versteht sich damit auch als ein Beitrag zu den Grundlagen des europäischen Vertragsrechts.

March 20, 2007

More clarity after ‘Claro’?

Norbert Reich

Page range: 41-61

Abstract

The paper takes the recently decided Claro-case of the ECJ as a starting point for a more general discussion on arbitration clauses in consumer contracts in relation to existing ADR mechanisms. Claro did not condemn these clauses, but left this to EU Member state law which is in an inchoate state of confusion and divergence. Claro however insisted on the importance of consumer protection in secondary recognition proceedings. In the opinion of this author, this ‘pro-consumer’ spirit of Claro should encourage a more critical approach towards arbitration clauses without completely condemning them; the US model generously allowing arbitration clauses in consumer contract should not be followed. If ADR mechanisms exist (whether national or EU wide), an arbitration clause should not prevent the consumer of using these remedies. Cross-border arbitration clauses should be disallowed if they deprive the non-mobile consumer of a jurisdiction of his home country. On the other hand, if the consumer voluntarily moves cross-border or actively uses e-commerce devices, and thereby explicitly agrees to an arbitration clause, his remedies will be limited by the applicable lex arbitrationis. Résumé La contribution prend le récent arrêt «Claro» de la CJCE comme point de départ pour une discussion plus générale des clauses d'arbitrage dans les contrats de consommation en relation avec les possibles MARC (Modes Alternatifs de Résolution des Conflits). L'arrêt «Claro» n'a pas condamné ces clauses mais en a confié le contrôle au droit des Etats Membres lesquels sont confus et divergents. Néanmoins l'arrêt «Claro» a insisté sur l'importance de la protection des consommateurs dans la procédure de reconnaissance secondaire. D'après l'auteur, cet esprit <pro-consommateur> de l'arrêt «Claro» devrait encourager une approche plus critique envers les clauses d'arbitrage sans pour autant les condamner entièrement; l'exemple des Etats-Unis qui autorise généreusement les clauses d'arbitrage dans les contrats de consommation ne devrait pas être suivi. Si les MARC existent (sur le plan national ou Européen), une clause d'arbitrage ne devrait pas empêcher le consommateur d'utiliser ces procédures. Les clauses compromissoires transfrontalières devront être interdites si elles privent le consommateur non mobile de la juridiction de son pays de résidence. D'autre part, si le consommateur passe les frontières volontairement ou utilise activement les ressources du commerce électronique et accepte ainsi une clause d'arbitrage, ses recours seront limités par la lex arbitrationis applicable. Kurzfassung Ausgehend von der Claro-Entscheidung des EuGH beschäftigt sich der Beitrag allgemein mit Schiedsklauseln in Verbraucherverträgen in Bezug auf herkömmliche ADR-Mechanismen. In Claro wurden solche Klauseln nicht missbilligt, sondern dem Recht der Mitgliedstaaten überlassen, welches unvollständig, konfus und uneinheitlich ist. Dennoch wurde in Claro der hohe Stellenwert des Verbraucherschutzes im nachträglichen Anerkennungsverfahren betont. Nach Ansicht des Autors sollte diese verbraucherfreundliche Sichtweise in Claro dazu Anlass geben, sich kritisch mit Schiedsklauseln auseinander zu setzen, ohne sie gleich vollständig zu missbilligen; jedenfalls sollte dem US-Amerikanischen Modell, welches Schiedsklauseln in Verbraucherverträgen großzügig zulässt, nicht gefolgt werden. Falls ADR-Mechanismen existieren (ob nun national oder europaweit), sollte eine Schiedsklausel den Verbraucher nicht davon abhalten, diese Rechtsmittel zu beanspruchen. Schiedsklauseln im grenzüberschreitenden Rechtsverkehr sollten untersagt werden, wenn sie dem nicht-mobilen Verbraucher den Rechtsweg in seinem Heimatland vorenthalten. Auf der anderen Seite sollten sich die Rechtsmittel des Verbrauchers, der eigenständig grenzüberschreitende Geschäfte tätigt oder aktiv E-Commerce betreibt und ausdrücklich einer Schiedsklausel zustimmt, nach der lex arbitrationis richten.

March 20, 2007

Case: ECJ – Mangold

Karl Riesenhuber

Page range: 62-71

Abstract

Judgment of the Court of 22 November 2005, Werner Mangold v Rüdiger Helm, reference for a preliminary ruling under Article 234 EC from the Arbeitsgericht München (Germany), Case 144/04 [2005] ECR I-9981 (ECJ)

March 20, 2007

European Community Legislation and Actions

Rossella Delfino

Page range: 72-77

Abstract

NB: This section presents a series of non legislative actions and legislative acts directly or indirectly linked to contract law, which were adopted at European level between end July 2006 and November 2006.

March 20, 2007

European Social Policy and Contract law

Hugh Collins

Page range: 78-87

Abstract

This report on the sector of employment contracts and European social policy examines the proposals for initiatives and legislation contained in a recent Commission Green Paper entitled ‘Modernising labour law to meet the challenges of the 21 st Century’. It describes the proposals and offers some reservations about their content. The underlying problem with the Green Paper, it suggested, is the incoherence of the policy of ‘flexicurity’.

March 20, 2007

After the unfair Contract Terms Directive; Recent European Directives and English Law

Lucinda Miller

Page range: 88-110

Abstract

This paper examines the implementation into English law of three recent EC Directives; the Consumer Sales Directive, the Electronic Commerce Directive and the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive – transposition of the latter currently at a consultative stage. Although English law copes remarkably well in accommodating alien concepts and rules within its doctrinal framework, nevertheless, these Directives have generated some significant conceptual and substantive adjustments in English contract law. The recently enacted Unfair Commercial Practices Directive adds a new dimension to the impact of EC legislative activity in the area of private law. Furthermore, the ensuing regulatory complexity and incoherence arising from UK implementation obligations is a cause for concern. Particularly in the light of the EC's current project on European Contract Law.

March 20, 2007

Books Received and Book Reviews

Page range: 111-119

About this journal

This Journal deals with contract law and serves as a pan-European platform for discussion and analysis. The concept of a European Contract Law is still rather recent: the phrase was first coined in the 1990s. Since the early 2000s when this journal was created, European Contract Law has come to encompass an increasingly comprehensive body of law. There were three driving forces behind this development: the EC harmonisation of laws in the area of the internal market, a generally increased interest in comparative law discussions in contract law, and the European Commission’s Communication on European Contract Law, the Commission’s Action Plan and the Common Frame of Reference process. These developments brought about a changed climate of discussion. The foundations of contract law, examined from many perspectives and in view of various national legal systems and an increasing number of disciplines, are currently being discussed in great detail in the European arena. In 10 years contract law may be the first area of European private law to be regulated in a fully fleshed out European Code.

European Contract Law comprises diverse areas of the law such as sales, standard contract terms, distribution chains, marketing practices, research and development agreements, contract law copyright aspects, financial and investment services contracts, insurance contracts and e-commerce as well as non-discrimination within and beyond labour law and more generally, important aspects of labour contracts and other symbiotic contracts.

The importance and breadth of the field and the methods and questions involved are such that ERCL has established itself as the specialised European journal in this area. Since 2004 the standard of information and discussions on this platform have been consolidated: ERCL discusses the body of law in three sections: articles, case law, and literature on EC Contract Law. This takes place mainly in book reviews and, in addition, contains short sections on the most recent EC legislation, sectoral developments, national developments and other news. The Review focuses on existing law at the EC level and all rules influencing the formation, content and execution of contracts from default rules to regulation, from marketing aspects to the content of contracts, from consumer (and also labour) law to general contract law. The Review is open to a variety of approaches and provides the opportunity to read traditional 'dogmatic' explanations of the upcoming and existing law, assessments through comparative law studies as well as economic analysis and discussions of the philosophical foundations and major structural features. The Review is and has been the site of intense discussion of proposals for codification or, more generally, systemisation and comprehensive development of contract law at the EC level. The European Contract Law Code is too realistic an option and much too important not to be thoroughly discussed as transparently as possible with as many competing ideas and approaches as possible. Several special issues have followed this process in great detail. The journal is meant to help in establishing a functional market of ideas in one of the core areas of private law and one of the most important areas of European private law. ERCL is the journal covering this large body of law and the modern solutions to the problems encountered.