bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
House of Lords, 19 November 2003, Shogun Finance Limited v. Hudson - Effect of Fraudulent Misrepresentation on the Formation of a Contract
Authors: Fauvarque-Cosson Bénédicte , Van Rossum Madeleine , Fenoy Picón Nieves 
Published: April 2022

In order to obtain possession of a car under a hire-purchase agreement with the claimant firm, a person who can only be described as a fraudster availed himself of a false identity, i.e. that of a Mr. Patel. The firm concerned, Shogun Finance, performed all the necessary identity and credit checks in relation to the Mr. Patel. The defendant duly paid a deposit, and the dealer delivered the vehicle to the fraudster. The latter then sold the car to a third party, one Norman Hudson, and disappeared with the money. Once it appeared that the fraudster had defaulted on the agreement, the claimants demanded that the vehicle be returned to them. Under S. 27 of the Hire Purchase Act 1964, Mr. Hudson could have retained the car lawfully if he could prove that the agreement between the rogue and Shogun was merely voidable by the latter. If, on the other hand, the contract had been void ab initio, the hapless Mr. Hudson would be compelled to return the vehicle to the claimants.
The House of Lords, by a majority of 3 to 2, awarded the action to Shogun. The basis for their ruling was that, since the pre-contractual negotiations had not been conducted on a face-to-face basis, and since the circumstance of Mr. Patel being the purchaser was fundamental to Shogun, no contract could have been made since no agreement had been reached. Had the negotiations taken place on a face-to-face basis, the Law Lords would probably have found in favour of Mr. Hudson.
In a dissenting opinion, Lords Millett and Nicholls of Birkenhead opined that, in today?s world of customer identification and credit checks, it was impossible to make a distinction between negotiations conducted face-to-face and those which took place by telephone, fax or even videolink.
The Common Denominator of the Trafigura Case, Foreign Direct Liability Cases and the Rome II Regulation
Authors: Enneking Liesbeth 
Published: April 2022

Abstract: As part of a current trend towards so–called ‘foreign direct liability cases’, attempts are being made to hold parent companies of multinational corporations liable in their home countries for damage caused in host countries. This trend, of which the Trafigura case serves as a recent example here, suggests that tort law may have a regulatory part to play when it comes to the transboundary activities of multinational corporations. However, the extent to which tort law can act as a regulatory mechanism is dependent on its applicability, which, in turn, is determined by private international law.
The recently adopted Rome II Regulation, which lays down conflict–of–law rules for non–contractual obligations, will only have a limited conducive effect on the feasibility of the regulation through tort law of the transboundary activities of multinational corporations. On the basis of this Regulation, it is only in cases where the resulting damage consists of environmental damage that home country tort law may be applicable. In all other cases, attempts to hold the parent company of the multinational corporation liable for damage caused in the host country will have to be based on the tort law of the host country.
This effectively diminishes the feasibility of home country tort law as a mechanism for the regulation of the transboundary activities of multinational corporations.
Notes on the Proposal for a New Directive on Consumer Rights
Authors: Lilleholt Kåre 
Published: April 2022

Abstract: The author asserts that the proposal for a new horizontal directive on consumer rights offers no substantial improvements to consumer protection while the full harmonization clause of the proposal will result in a reduced level of protection in all Member States. Surprisingly, the proposal makes little use of the terminology of the Draft Common Frame of Reference (DCFR).
Resumé : L’auteur estime que la proposition de directive horizontale relative aux droits des consommateurs n’apporte aucune amélioration notable à la protection des consommateurs. Au contraire, l’harmonisation complète prévue par cette directive aura pour conséquence de réduire leur niveau de protection actuel dans tous les États membres. Étonnamment, la proposition de directive s’inspire très peu de la terminologie employée par le projet de cadre commun de référence.
Zusammenfassung: Der Autor stellt fest, dass der Vorschlag für eine neue horizontale Verbraucherrechtsrichtlinie keine wesentlichen Verbesserungen des Verbraucherschutzes bewirkt. Die Vollharmonisierung führt vielmehr zu einer Absenkung des Verbraucherschutzniveaus in allen Mitgliedsstaaten. Überraschenderweise nimmt der Vorschlag wenig Bezug auf die Terminologie des Draft Common Frame of Reference (DCFR).
The Theoretical Foundations of the Common Core of European Private Law Project: A Critical Appraisal
Authors: de Boer Nik 
Published: April 2022

Abstract: This article develops a critical evaluation of the theoretical foundations of the Common Core of European Private Law Project, in particular, of the theory of Rodolfo Sacco. The overall aim of this exercise is to test to what extent the common core project can truly provide an accurate and relatively neutral description of European Private Law. First, it describes the comparative law theory of Rodolfo Sacco and describes briefly how this method is applied practically in the Common Core of European Private Law Project. Second, it describes a number of criticisms that can be raised against this method. In doing so, it defends the thesis that law has a multi-faceted character and that there is not one single method for the study of comparative law that is able to cover all of these different facets. Rather, in order to provide an accurate and precise description of a different legal system, one has to apply different comparative methods.
Zusammenfassung: Dieser Beitrag beabsichtigt, eine kritische Bewertung der theoretischen Grundlagen des Common Core of European Private Law Projektes, insbesondere der Theorie von Rodolfo Sacco. Das maßgebliche Ziel dieser Beitrags ist allerdings die Frage, in welchem Umfang das Common Core Projekt tatsächlich eine präzise und relativ neutrale Darstellung des europäischen Privatrechts bietet. Zunächst wird die rechtsvergleichende Theorie von Rodolfo Sacco näher dargestellt sowie auch erläutert, wie diese Methode im Common Core of European Private Law Projekt praktisch angewendet wird. Darüber hinaus wird eine Anzahl von Kritikpunkten näher aufgeführt, die gegen diese Methode vorgebracht werden können. Dabei wird die Ansicht vertreten, dass das Recht einen facettenreichen Charakter hat, sodass es nicht nur eine einzige Methode zur rechtsvergleichenden Untersuchung gibt, die es ermöglicht alle diese unterschiedlichen Facetten abzudecken. Zur Ermöglichung einer akkuraten und genauen Erläuterung eines anderen Rechtssystems ist es vielmehr erforderlich, verschiedene rechtsvergleichende Methoden anzuwenden.
Retour sur la loi applicable aux intérêts moratoires – A propos de l’arrêt rendu par la Cour de cassation belge le 23 avril 2007
Authors: Boskovic Olivera 
Published: April 2022

Résumé: L’arrêt rendu par la Cour de cassation belge le 23 janvier 2007 relance le débat sur la difficile question de la loi applicable aux intérêts moratoires. Censurant la Cour d’appel qui avait appliqué le taux de la loi du for pour toute la période postérieure au jugement, la Haute Juridiction belge affirme que c’est la loi du contrat qui est, en vertu de l’article 10)1)c de la Convention de Rome de 1980 relative à la loi applicable aux obligations contractuelles, applicable à cette question. Cette solution, cohérente, doit étre confrontée à une proposition qui recueille de plus en plus de suffrages doctrinaux, à savoir l’application de la loi de la monnaie dans laquelle est libellée la condamnation à la question des intérêts moratoires. A l’examen, il s’avére que cette dernière thèse ne permet pas de résoudre toutes les difficultés. Bien que des solutions optimales, quoique passablement complexes, existent sans doute en théorie, la solution adoptée par la Cour de cassation belge est satisfaisante et constitue probablement la réponse la plus adéquate à la situation qui lui était soumise.
Abstract: This decision of the Belgian Cour de cassation reopens the debate on the difficult question of the law applicable to interest by way of damages. Quashing the Court of appeal decision which had applied the rate of the lex fori for the post-judgement period, the Supreme Belgian Court held that, by virtue of article 10)1)c of the Rome Convention on the law applicable to contractual obligations, the governing law is the law of the contract. This solution although satisfactory, should be confronted to an increasingly welcomed proposition, i.e. the submission of interest by way of damages to the law of the currency in which the debt is expressed. On closer examination, it appears that the latter proposition does not resolve all problems. Although optimal solutions, inevitably complex, do exist in theory, the solution adopted by the Belgian Cour de cassation is satisfactory and was probably the most adequate response under the submitted circumstances.
A European Perspective on Data Processing Consent through the Reconceptualization of European Data Protection's Looking Glass after the Lisbon Treaty: Taking Rights Seriously
Authors: Ferretti Federico 
Published: April 2022

Abstract: EU data protection law is undergoing a process of reform to meet the challenges of the modern economy and rapid technological developments. This study re-conceptualizes data protection in the EU in light of the enactment of the Treaty of Lisbon and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU. It focuses on data subjects' consent as a key component of data processing legislation - alongside the principles of purpose specification and data quality - to reinforce the view that it is a necessary, though not sufficient, tool to guarantee the declared high level of protection of individuals. To prevent confusion, conflation, or abuse of consent and safeguard the fundamental values to which it is tied, this paper puts forward that additional legal constraints and qualifications would be necessary for the enhancement of its application and enforcement. Soft or libertarian paternalism may be the key to nudge individuals towards the desired social outcome while preserving their individual autonomy. The ultimate suggestion is that EU policy makers should take rights seriously and not be seduced by and surrender to conflicting economic interests. Résumé: La loi européenne sur la protection des données est en train de subir un ensemble de réformes afin de pouvoir faire face aux défis de l´économie moderne et des développements technologiques rapides. La présente étude re-conceptualise la protection des données dans l´UE à la lumière de l´adoption du Traité de Lisbonne et de la Charte des Droits Fondamentaux de l´UE. Elle se concentre sur le principe du consentement comme étant un composant-clé de la législation sur le traitement des données pour renforcer l´idée qu´il est un instrument nécessaire, bien qu´insuffisant, pour garantir le niveau dit élévé de protection des individus. Afin de prévenir la confusion, l'amalgame ou l'abus de consentementet de sauvegarder les valeurs fondamentales auxquelles il est lié, le présent article indique que des contraintes et des qualifications legislatives supplémentaires seraient nécessaires pour l'amélioration de son application et de son exécution. Un paternalisme souple ou libertaire pourrait être la solutionpour amener des individus vers le résultat social désiré tout en préservant leur autonomie individuelle. La dernière suggestion est de convaincre les décideurs de l´UE de prendre les droits au sérieux et dene pas se laisser séduire, ou soumettre, par des intérêts économiques incompatibles.
The Aim for Complete Uniformity in EU Private Law: An Obstacle to Further Harmonization
Authors: de Vries Anne 
Published: April 2022

Abstract: The use of maximum harmonization directives in EU private law in combination with open legal concepts is controversial. Due to differing legal cultures, it is likely that open legal concepts will be interpreted differently in the Member States. This seems to conflict with the aim of maximum harmonization as put forward by the European Commission: reducing legal fragmentation and increasing legal certainty among consumers and businesses. Although supporting the notion that national interpretations of open legal concepts are likely to differ, this article posits that this is not incompatible with the aim of maximum harmonization. It proposes a different understanding of the concept of maximum harmonization that allows for different national applications of the rules. This understanding is based on the distinction between harmonizing a legal framework (the written rules) and harmonizing the application of this legal framework. By acknowledging the importance of fully harmonizing the written rules without harmonizing the national applications of these rules, it demonstrates that maximum harmonization does not necessarily conflict with the use of open legal concepts. Résumé: L'usage de directives visant á un maximum d'harmonisation en droit privé européen combiné avec des concepts légaux ouverts est sujet á controverses. Etant donné l'existence de cultures juridiques différentes, les concepts légaux ouverts sont susceptibles d'être interprétés différemment dans les Etats membres. Ceci semble être contraire au but del'harmonisationmaximaletellequeprésentéeparlaCommissioneuropéenne:réduire la fragmentation juridique et accroître la sûreté juridique parmi les consommateurs et les entreprises. Quoique défendant la notion selon laquelle il est probable que les interprétationsnationalesdeconceptsjuridiquesouvertssoientdifférentes, leprésentarticle soutient que ceci n'est pas incompatible avec le but d'une harmonisation maximale. Il propose une explication différenteduconceptdel'harmonisationmaximalequipermetdesapplications nationales différentes de régles. Cette interprétation est basée sur la distinction entre l'harmonisationd'uncadrejuridique (les régles écrites) etl'harmonisationdel'application dececadrejuridique.Enreconnaissantl'importanced'unepleineharmonisationdesrégles écrites sans harmonisation des applications nationales de ces régles, il démontre que l'harmonisation maximale n'est pas nécessairement en conflit avec l'usage de concepts juridiques ouverts.
Kerpow! The United Kingdom Courts, West Tankers, and the Arbitration Exception in the Brussels I Regulation
Authors: van Calster Geert 
Published: April 2022

Abstract: On 24 January 2012, the Court of Appeal for England and Wales upheld the decision by the High Court to grant leave for the enforcement of the arbitral award issued in favour of West Tankers against Erg and its insurers, Allianz and Generali. The conciseness of the ruling is in sharp contrast with its relevance. By allowing, in an almost matter-of-fact way, the enforceability in principle of the award, the Court of Appeal has almost certainly set in motion the next chapter in the long-running West Tankers litigation. At stake are the exact boundaries of the rule that excludes arbitration from the 'Brussels I' or 'Jurisdiction' Regulation (JR). Résumé: Le 24 janvier 2012, la Cour d'Appel d'Angleterre et du Pays de Galles a confirmé la décision de la Haute Cour d'autoriser l'exécution de la sentence arbitrale prononcée en faveur de West Tankers contre Erg et ses assureurs, Allianz et Generali [1]. La concision de la décision contraste nettement avec sa pertinence. En permettant, d'une manière presque pragmatique, l'exécution de principe de la sentence arbitrale, la Cour d'Appel a entamé de manière presque certaine le prochain chapitre de la longue procédure West Tankers. L'enjeu, ce sont les limites exactes de la règle qui exclut l'arbitrage dans 'Bruxelles I' ou le Règlement sur la competence judiciaire ('Jurisdiction Regulation' ou 'JR'). Zusammenfassung: Am 24. Januar 2012 bestätigte der Court of Appeal für England und Wales die Entscheidung des High Court's , die Vollstreckung des Schiedsspruchs zu Gunsten von West Tankers im Rechtsstreit mit Erg und seinen Versicherern, Allianz und Generali, zu gestatten. Die geringe Aufmerksamkeit die der Gerichtsentscheidung zu Teil wurde, steht in einem deutlichen Widerspruch zu ihrer Bedeutung. In einer beinahe als gegebene Tatsache hinnehmenden Art und Weise erlaubte der Court of Appeal die Vollstreckung des Schiedsspruchs und eröffnete damit so gut wie sicher das nächste Kapitel des langwierigen West Tankers-Rechtsstreits. In Frage stehen die genauen Grenzen der Vorschrift bezüglich des Ausschlusses schiedgerichtlicher Verfahren der Brüssel-I-Verordnung (beziehungsweise der Verordnung über die gerichtliche Zuständigkeit).
United We Stand, Divided We Fall?: Collective Redress in the EU
Authors: Purnhagen Kai 
Published: April 2022

Abstract: The lack of harmonized collective redress mechanisms in EU civil procedural law results in a substantial increase of litigation risks for insurers. The right to a fair trial, as well as the effect utile, enables the EU to introduce collective redress mechanisms under certain conditions. The doctrine of implied powers, Article 114 Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), as well as Article 81 TFEU, can serve as competence norms in this respect. The introduction of harmonized rules on collective redress mechanisms is hence desirable from the perspective of European insurance law. To cope with the newly emerging risks, insurers have amended certain practices: In order to avoid litigation risks, the insurance industry requires establishing a steady communication strategy with private intermediaries, who have a special standing in collective redress mechanisms. Insurers might amend their insurance policies in order to cope with these risks. The development of a new insurance product coping with the special litigation challenges from collective redress procedures is advisable. Résumé: L'absence de mécanismes harmonisés de recours collectif en droit européen de la procédure civile augmente les risques de litige pour les assureurs à un niveau guère gérable. Le droit à un procès équitable, tout comme l'effet utile du droit de l'Union, permettent à cette dernière, dans certaines conditions, d'introduire des mécanismes de recours collectif. En vertu de la doctrine des pouvoirs implicites, les articles 114 et 81 TFUE pourraient servir de base juridique à la compétence de l'Union dans ce domaine. L'introduction de règles harmonisées relatives aux recours collectifs apparait ainsi souhaitable du point de vue du droit européen des assurances. Pour faire face aux nouveaux risques émergents liés à l'incitation de l'utilisation des recours collectifs, les professionnels de l'assurance doivent modifier certaines de leurs pratiques. Afin d'éviter les risques de litige, l'industrie de l'assurance doit recourir à une stratégie de communication constante avec les intermédiaires privés qui jouent un rôle-clef dans le cadre des mécanismes de recours collectifs. Les assureurs devraient modifier leurs polices d'assurance pour prendre en compte ces risques. Le développement d'un nouveau produit d'assurance prenant en considération les défis, en termes de litige, soulevés par les recours collectifs est préconisé.
A Method to Substantively Guide the Involvement of EU Law in Private Law Matters
Authors: Sieburgh Carla 
Published: April 2022

Abstract: EU law is a fact in private law. The influence of EU law in private law and horizontal relationships creates an incentive for actors to rely on that influence, both to invoke a right granted by EU law, to construe arguments and to elaborate creatively on existing possibilities. Therefore private law and horizontal relationships are of relevance for EU law. To enable actors to clearly understand the law governing horizontal relationships, to weigh and balance the aims of both fields of law, and develop arguments, this contribution presents an approach taking into account the mutual dependence of EU and private law and consequently the need for exchange between both fields of law. The approach combines a top-down analysis of the effectuation of EU law in horizontal relationships (starting from the supremacy and direct effect of EU law) with a bottom-up approach taking into account the concrete horizontal relationship. To enable substantive guidance on the interaction between EU and private law the aims, requirements, possibilities and limitations which follow both from EU and private law are linked to principles used in EU and private law. In this vein, the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights has an important role to play. The Charter can be used to translate a private law principle into a principle that is recognized under EU law. It is for this reason that the Charter, which owes its existence to brilliant sources of inspiration mainly outside private law, has a promising future in private law.
Contractual Penalties in French Law
Authors: Cannarsa Michel 
Published: April 2022

Abstract: Contractual penalties are a quite classical topic of doctrinal debate in France. The said debate focuses mainly on two issues: contractual freedom on one side and restrictions to it on the other side. In addition to that, the unclear distinction between contractual penalties and liquidated damages clauses in French law raises further questions. In legal practice, the use of contractual penalties is widespread because it reduces the uncertainty surrounding the judicial assessment of damages. Contractual penalties do not, however, exclude completely the judge's intervention. Indeed, a classification as contractual penalty will submit the contractual clause to the judge's moderation power. Drafters of contractual clauses make, therefore, sure not to rely on a wording that could refer to the penalty dimension of a contractual term in order to exclude judicial intervention. This judicial intervention could, however, rely on the unfairness of the clause, whatever the appellation given to it. Although limited to business-to-consumers (B2C) contracts at the moment, the 'contractual term unfairness' approach could be extended to business-to-business (B2B) contracts as well in the future, which would therefore limit to a large extent the debate surrounding the issue of classification as penalties of contractual clauses. Résumé: Le sujet des clauses pénales est assez classique dans le débat doctrinal français. Deux enjeux déterminent plus précisément ce débat : la liberté contractuelle d'un côté et la limitation de cette liberté par le juge de l'autre. A cela s'ajoute le caractère imprécis de la distinction entre la notion de clause pénale et celle d'évaluation forfaitaire du préjudice, créant d'ultérieures interrogations. Dans la pratique, l'usage de ces clauses est particulièrement répandu car il réduit l'incertitude de l'évaluation judiciaire du préjudice. Il n'exclut toutefois pas toute intervention du juge en fonction de la qualification retenue du fait du pouvoir modérateur de la clause pénale qui est accordé au juge par le Code civil. Les rédacteurs de clauses veillent donc à exclure la référence au caractère punitif de la clause afin d'éviter cette intervention du juge. Mais ce dernier peut néanmoins trouver une autre voie d'entrée dans le monde contractuel, notamment en appréciant le caractère abusif de la clause. Cette faculté, qui est pour l'instant limitée aux contrats entre consommateurs et professionnels, pourrait être étendue à tous les contrats. Le débat autour du pouvoir modérateur du juge face aux clauses pénales perdrait ainsi une grande partie de son intérêt.