Commentaries on European Contract Laws

Edited by Nils Jansen and Reinhard Zimmermann

Provides rule-by-rule commentaries on European contract law (general contract law, consumer contract law, the law of sale and related services)
All relevant reference texts (from the CISG to the Draft Common European Sales Law) are critically examined
Adopts a broad perspective and an integrative approach

Commentaries on European Contract Laws

Edited by Nils Jansen and Reinhard Zimmermann

Description

The book provides rule-by-rule commentaries on European contract law (general contract law, consumer contract law, the law of sale and related services), dealing with its modern manifestations as well as its historical and comparative foundations.

After the collapse of the European Commission's plans to codify European contract law it is timely to reflect on what has been achieved over the past three to four decades, and for an assessment of the current situation. In particular, the production of a bewildering number of reference texts has contributed to a complex picture of European contract laws rather than a European contract law.

The present book adopts a broad perspective and an integrative approach. All relevant reference texts (from the CISG to the Draft Common European Sales Law) are critically examined and compared with each other. As far as the acquis commun (ie the traditional private law as laid down in the national codifications) is concerned, the Principles of European Contract Law have been chosen as a point of departure. The rules contained in that document have, however, been complemented with some chapters, sections, and individual provisions drawn from other sources, primarily in order to account for the quickly growing acquis communautaire in the field of consumer contract law.

In addition, the book ties the discussion concerning the reference texts back to the pertinent historical and comparative background; and it thus investigates whether, and to what extent, these texts can be taken to be genuinely European in nature, ie to constitute a manifestation of a common core of European contract law. Where this is not the case, the question is asked whether, and for what reasons, they should be seen as points of departure for the further development of European contract law.

Commentaries on European Contract Laws

Edited by Nils Jansen and Reinhard Zimmermann

General Introduction
1:General Provisions
2:Formation of Contracts
3:Authority of Agents
4:Validity
5:Interpretation
6:Contents and Effects
7:Performance
8:Non-Performance and Remedies in General
9:Particular Remedies for Non-Performance
10:Plurality of Parties
11:Assignment of Claims
12:Substitution of New Debtor: Transfer of Contract
13:Set-Off
14:Prescription
15:Illegality
16:Conditions
17:Capitalisation of Interest
18:The Law of Sales
19:Obligations of the Parties to a (Related) Service Contract

Commentaries on European Contract Laws

Edited by Nils Jansen and Reinhard Zimmermann

Author Information

Edited by Nils Jansen, University of Münster, and Reinhard Zimmermann, Max Planck Institute for Comparative and International Private Law

Nils Jansen, Professor for Civil Law and Director in the Institute for Legal History, University of Münster.

Reinhard Zimmermann, Director of the Max Planck Institute for Comparative and International Private Law, Hamburg, and Affiliate Professor, Bucerius Law School.

Contributors:

Reinhard Zimmerman
Nils Jansen
Eike Hosemann
Helge Dedek
Oliver Unger
Jan Schmidt
Lukas Rademacher
Gregor Christandl
Ulrike Babusiaux
David Kästle-Lamparter
Phillip Hellwege
Sebastian Lohsse
Stefan Vogenauer
Thomas Rüfner
Walter Doralt
Sebastian Martens
Jens Kleinschmidt
Sonja Meier
Sarah Woyciechowski
Andreas Fleckner
Constantin Willems
Kristin Boosfeld

Commentaries on European Contract Laws

Edited by Nils Jansen and Reinhard Zimmermann

Reviews and Awards

"This is a very impressive volume providing lucidly formulated insights not (easily) found elsewhere and definitely not in one place. It will likely and rightfully serve as the starting point - and perhaps not infrequently the endpoint - for many future queries regarding European contract law." - Felix M. Wilke, The Rabel Journal of Comparative and International Private Law

"This is a magnificent book, a magnum opus that is monumental both in length and as regards the depth of learning and quality of scholarship on display. ... The editors and the authors are to be congratulated on producing a hugely impressive work that is bound to have an impact not only in Europe but in jurisdictions around the world." - Dale Hutchison, South African Law Journal

"En conclusion, los Commentaries constituyen un espléndido compendio del derecho europeo de contratos ... pero, sobre todo, un pilar concebido para sostener el que temenos que construir." - Antoni Vaquer, Anuario de Derecho Civil

"Ein fulminantes Werk, das eine wahre Fundgrube für jeden ist, der sich mit Vertragsrecht beschäftigt ... und natürlich ein,Muss' für jeden Rechtsvergleicher." - Jessica Schmidt, Zeitschrift für Vergleichende Rechtswissenschaft

"Ces Commentaires constituent ainsi un magnifique objet editorial. Il est difficile de render compte en quelque pages de la richesse de son contenu." - Jean-Sébastien Borghetti, Revue Trimistrielle de Droit Civil

"L'opera ... rappresenta uno sforzo straordinariamente ambizioso di sintesi e di valutazione." - Michele Graziadei, Diritto Civile

"Man kann getrost davon ausgehen, dass dieses Werk Maßstäbe setzt." - Wolfgang Faber, Juristische Blätter

"Wir haben ein Grundlagenwerk für die künftige Arbeit am 'Europäischen Privatrecht' vor uns. Der Rezensent weiß, dass er von nun an ... zunächst dieses Werk konsultieren wird." - Axel Flessner, Zeitschrift für Europäisches Privatrecht

"this volume can be highly recommended as a detailed, thoughtful, and rigorous study of comparative contract law in a historical context." - Hugh Collins, Modern Law Review