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Supervening Events and Contract Law: A Comparative and Critical Analysis
Onclin, François
20137th International Graduate Legal Research Conference
 

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Keywords :
Supervening Events; Impossibility and hardship; Comparative study
Abstract :
[en] The binding force of contracts (pacta sunt servanda) is a basic rule in most – if not all – legal systems. Parties will therefore be liable in the event they failed to perform an obligation provided within the contract. However, there are situations which excuse non-performance due to unforeseen circumstances that occurred subsequently to the conclusion of a contract. While most jurisdictions excuse the debtor's non-performance in case of impossibility to perform, only a few provide for remedies when performance has become by far more burdensome for one contracting party. It is to be noted that there is an increasing trend to adopt a general doctrine of hardship, as illustrated by the European codification projects. As a counterexample, Belgium remains attached to the pacta sunt servanda principle and rejects the so-called “theory of imprévision”. The English frustration doctrine seems to provide for an in-between position. In a first part, this paper will briefly discuss the mechanisms dealing with unexpected events which have been adopted in two different legal systems (England and Belgium) and in one European soft law instruments (PECL). In a second part, the paper will critically compare the mechanisms applied in the observed legal systems.
Disciplines :
Metalaw, Roman law, history of law & comparative law
Author, co-author :
Onclin, François ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de droit > Droit public et administratif
Language :
English
Title :
Supervening Events and Contract Law: A Comparative and Critical Analysis
Alternative titles :
[en] Changements de circonstances et droit des contrats: une analyse critique et comparée
Publication date :
April 2013
Number of pages :
17
Event name :
7th International Graduate Legal Research Conference
Event organizer :
King's College London
Event place :
Londres, United Kingdom
Event date :
du 8 avril au 9 avril 2013
Funders :
F.R.S.-FNRS - Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique [BE]
ULiège - Université de Liège [BE]
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since 11 April 2013

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