The validity of a contract can be undermined by factors affecting contractual consent. Issues of contractual validity frequently arise for consideration in all types of litigation, not least commercial disputes. This book provides practitioners and academics with an invaluable reference tool, which will enable them to navigate the complex issues of vitiation of contract. When contractual disputes arise, there are a variety of vitiating factors which may be relied on to undermine a contract's validity. This book provides a comprehensive examination of all the factors vitiating contractual consent from fraud, misrepresentation, non-disclosure, and mistake, to duress, undue influence, unconscionable bargains, and includes chapters on incapacity and unfairness. Each chapter gives a thorough account of the law on each of these vitiating factors, together with an overview of the remedies available. The book's introduction considers the theoretical foundations of the law in this area. The book will be an invaluable reference tool for lawyers involved in all types of contractual disputes. It will also be a useful reference for academics and postgraduate students of commercial law.

Blockchain Technology and the Law: Opportunities and Risks is one of the first texts to offer a critical analysis of Blockchain and the legal and economic challenges faced by this new technology. This book will offer those who are unfamiliar with Blockchain an introduction as to how the technology works and will demonstrate how a legal framework that governs it can be used to ensure that it can be successfully deployed. Discussions included in this book: - an introduction to smart contracts, and their potential, from a commercial and consumer law perspective, to change the nature of transactions between parties; - the impact that Blockchain has already had on financial services, and the possible consumer risks and macro-economic issues that may arise in the future; - the challenges that are facing global securities regulators with the development of Initial Coin Offerings and the ongoing risks that they pose to the investing public; - the risk of significant privacy breaches due to the online public nature of Blockchain; and - the future of Blockchain technology. Of interest to academics, policy-makers, technology developers and legal practitioners, this book will provide a thorough examination of Blockchain technology in relation to the law from a comparative perspective with a focus on the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States.

This collection of essays, written by leading commentators from across the common law world, examines a range of topics concerning equity and trusts in the commercial context. The essays investigate the way in which doctrines derived from the equitable jurisdiction interact with and shape various areas of the law, including company law, commercial law and agency law. Subjects considered include the difficulties in identifying trust assets in the commercial context; the court's role in supervising the trust; and the remedies available in cases of fiduciary or trustee wrongdoing. This book will be of interest to both academics and practitioners working in these difficult areas of equity and commercial law.

The Technology and Construction Court ("TCC") deals with legal cases that often require specialist technical expertise. This can lead to complex and sometimes lengthy proceedings. In light of the Jackson reforms and developments in cost controls in the TCC, the manner in which claims are handled is of paramount commercial importance to lawyers and lay clients alike. This book provides a practical, but intellectually informative guide to dealing with proceedings in the TCC. Looking at the different types of claims which are commonly, and not so commonly, brought in this court, it considers different potential approaches to such claims depending on the circumstances in which parties find themselves. This is a genuine practitioners' guide, with the principal focus on expeditious, cost-effective case management. Construction practitioners at the Bar, solicitors, adjudicators, arbitrators, and in-house counsel alike, will all find it an invaluable reference for their practice.

This book consists of edited versions of the papers delivered at the Institute of International Shipping and Trade Law's 12th International Colloquium at Swansea Law School in September 2016. Featuring a team of contributors at the top of their profession, both in practice and academia, these papers have been carefully co-ordinated so as to ensure to give the reader a first class insight into the issues surrounding charterparties. The book is set out in three parts. -Part I offers a detailed and critical analysis of issues of contemporary importance concerning time charters. -Part 2 carries out a similar analysis with regard to voyage charterparties. -Part 3 deliberates issues common to both type of charterparties. Offering critical analysis of contemporary legal issues on charterparty contracts, this book considers recent legal and practical developments and is therefore essential reading for both professional and academic readers with an interest in charterparties.

Since the financial crisis, one of the key priorities of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) has been individual accountability. This book addresses the regulatory and employment law challenges that arise from the FCA's and PRA's requirements. The expert team of writers examine in depth the provisions of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 which relate to individuals, and the associated requirements of the PRA and FCA. The topics addressed include: The Senior Manager, Certification and Approved Person Regimes Regulatory references and whistleblowing Disciplinary investigations, enforcement and sanctions Notifications, 'Form C', and fitness & propriety Bonus disputes and the Remuneration Code Conduct and Pay in the Financial Services Industry considers the full extent of an individual's employment, from pre-contractual discussions to the post-termination clawback of remuneration. It is a vital reference for lawyers and human resources professionals working within the financial services industry, both in-house and in private practice. It will also be of interest to all academics, regulators and policy-makers involved in this sector.

This book is a collection of original, thought-provoking essays on critical issues in contract, commercial and corporate law. It is dedicated to the memory of the late Professor Jill Poole, who inspired so many and made such important contributions to these fields of law. The essays are written by leading practitioners and academics in the field, building on Jill's work. As such this collection will be of interest and importance to professionals, academics and students in these fields of law. The Professor Jill Poole Educational Fund has been established in memory of Jill. It will be used to support undergraduate students in obtaining 'excellence scholarships' at Aston Law School and to reward 'excellence' at the annual law graduation ceremony. All contributions are welcome, and the royalties from this collection of essays have been donated to it.

The widespread move towards more market-driven models of political economy combined with the expanding internationalisation of business and commerce has led to a series of proposals for global competition rules. To date these proposals have been hotly contested. The purpose of this book is to investigate in some depth whether there is a rational foundation for pursuing international competition rules, and what form these laws should take. The book takes examples from existing competition laws around the world, in particular the US and the EU both of which have a long history of enforcing established competition rules.

This collection brings together new essays by some of the most prominent scholars currently writing in commercial law theory. The essays address the foundations of efficiency analysis as the dominant theoretical paradigm in contemporary corporate and commercial law scholarship. The volume addresses such questions as: is moral theory irrelevant to efficiency analysis in these areas; if relevant, are morality and efficiency compatible? What is the best way of pursuing efficiency in corporate and commercial law? The volume reflects the most exciting work being done in contemporary legal theory. It will be of interest to professionals and students in law and philosophy of law.

Now it its second edition, this book is an authoritative and comprehensive review on all aspects of the law that relate to liability insurance contracts. It aims to cover the all the major types of liability insurance, not just professional indemnity insurance, and presents the issues according to the general principles of contract law. Updated to include the impact of the Insurance Act 2015, the book takes a comparative view of the law, tailored to those professionals operating in a global economy, as well as academics and post-graduate students.

This volume examines the evolution of Central European product liability systems, with particular reference to the effect of the implementation of the Product Liability Directive in the context of the recent enlargement of the EU. This book also provides a comparison of how product liability law has evolved in the socialist states, comparing it to developments taking place in the West. Using product liability law, this study offers a valuable insight into the necessary features and requirements of the harmonization of laws between the EU and post-socialist Europe. Predominantly legal in scope, it also takes account of the importance of extra-legal elements in law reform. As such, this book will be a valuable resource for those interested in European Law, as well as those working in the area of Consumer and Product Liability law.

In trying to establish a presence in China, foreign investors have found it imperative to understand the regulatory environment of this potentially huge market. This book provides an up-to-date overview of the legal framework for doing business in China. It covers such topics as state structure; legislative amendments and enactments on direct foreign investment; the court system; the legal profession; business entities; foreign investment enterprises; contracts; intellectual property; labor and employment; consumer protection; taxation; securities; and dispute resolution.

Apart from explaining legal principles, the book highlights liberalisation measures that China has undertaken to fulfil its WTO commitments; elucidates complicated legal concepts with examples of court decisions; discusses relevant foreign trade and investment polices; and includes a glossary of Chinese terms.

Maritime Safety, Security and Piracy discusses safety, security, and piracy from the standpoint of ships and ports and is written so that it may be read by both practitioners and academics. Contents include: ship safety and the International Maritime Organization formal ship safety assessment European ship safety ship accidents ship security and shipping piracy in shipping (ship type, flag and a case studies of pirates' behaviors) port safety and workers (regulation and accidents) port state control inspections port ship accidents and risks port security in the US port and maritime security in the EU port security in Asia port theft.

This volume establishes a theoretical framework for exploring the role of host state legal systems (courts and bureaucracies) in mediating relations between foreign investment, civil society and government actors. It then demonstrates the application of that framework in the context of the south Indian city of Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore). Drawing on the 'law-and-community' approach of Roger Cotterrell, the volume identifies three mechanisms through which law might, in theory, ensure that social relations are productive: by expressing any mutual trust which may hold actors together, by ensuring that actors participate fully in social life and by coordinating the differences that hold actors apart. Empirical data reveals that each of these legal mechanisms is at work in Bengaluru. However, their operation is limited and skewed by the extent to which actors use, abuse and/or avoid them. Furthermore, these legal mechanisms are being eroded as a direct result of the World Bank's 'investment climate' discourse, which privileges the interests and values of foreign investors over those of other actors.

This book describes and assesses an emerging threat to states' territorial control and sovereignty: the hostile control of companies that carry out privatized aspects of sovereign authority. The threat arises from the massive worldwide shift of state activities to the private sector since the late 1970s in conjunction with two other modern trends - the globalization of business and the liberalization of international capital flows. The work introduces three new concepts: firstly, the rise of companies that handle privatized activities, and the associated advent of "post-government companies" that make such activities their core business. Control of them may reside with individual investors, other companies or investment funds, or it may reside with other states through state-owned enterprises or sovereign wealth funds. Secondly, "imperfect privatizations:" when a state privatizes an activity to another state's public sector. The book identifies cases where this is happening. It also elaborates on how ownership and influence of companies that perform privatized functions may not be transparent, and can pass to inherently hostile actors, including criminal or terrorist organizations. Thirdly, "belligerent companies," whose conduct is hostile to those of states where they are active. The book concludes by assessing the adequacy of existing legal and regulatory regimes and how relevant norms may evolve.

International Commercial and Marine Arbitration analyses and compares commercial-martime arbitration in a number of different legal systems including the US, the UK, Greece and Belgium. The book examines the role of the courts in arbitration in each of these countries, making reference to the latest case law, and also makes extensive reference to French, German, Italian, Austrian, Swiss and Netherlands law. Tracing the historical emergence of the modern system of commercial arbitration Georgios Zekos then goes on to present ways in which the current process of arbitration can be developed in order to make them more effective.

This book provides the reader with a comprehensive analysis of US Federal Antitrust and EC Competition Law. It is encyclopaedic in coverage: examining every constituent element of the law and landmark decisions from the perspectives of economics and policy goals, explaining their implications for commercial operations and advocating policy reforms where necessary.

The International Trade and Business Law Review publishes leading articles, comments and case notes, as well as book reviews dealing with international trade and business law, arbitration law, foreign law and comparative law. It provides the legal and business communities with information, knowledge and understanding of recent developments in international trade, business and international commercial arbitration.

The Review contributes in a scholarly way to the discussion of these developments while being informative and having practical relevance to business people and lawyers. The Review also devotes a section to the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot and publishes the memoranda prepared by teams coached by Professor Gabriel A. Moens.

The Review is edited at the Murdoch University School of Law in Perth, Australia. The Editors-in-Chief are Mr Roger Jones, Partner, Latham & Watkins LLP, Chicago and Gabriel A. Moens, Dean and Professorof Law, Murdoch Law School. It is an internationally-refereed journal. The Review is supervised by an international board of editors that consists of leading international trade law practitioners and academics from the European Union, the United States, Asia and Australia. The Student Editors for Volume XI are Adam Totaro and Peter Clay from the Murdoch Law School.

This book focuses on unfair contract terms in consumer contracts, in particular the existing legislation and the proposals by the Law Commissions for a new unified regime. In this context it considers, in particular, what we mean by fairness (both procedurally and in substance); the tools used; the European dimension; the move from general principles from the more piecemeal approach typical in UK legal tradition; and the further move in this direction as a result of the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive.

Corporate scandals due to bad accounting happen far too frequently for a system of corporate governance to be deemed effective. This book tells why the safeguards designed to prevent bad accounting so often fail. By studying why the auditors and members of a board of directors regularly fail to deliver the truth about a company's financial state of affairs, this provocative book explores a serious problem in the system of reporting financial information. This book is unique in that it draws together various strands of the literature on corporate governance, accounting, law, cognitive research, psychology, behavioural economics and conventional economics to shed light on questions regarding the feasibility of independence and impartiality of boards of directors and external auditors as monitors and gatekeepers in corporate governance. The book is essential reading for professional accountants and auditors, directors, regulators, law makers, corporate lawyers, and investment bankers. It will appeal to all those interested in behavioural economics and corporate governance.

Exploring the relationship between competition law and technology pools, this book provides general-purpose details of the biotechnology patent pool scheme while discussing historical developments, approaches of the US Department of Justice, Federal Trade Commission, and the European Union Competition Commission via EU regulations. In addition to these regulatory approaches and evolution in concept and theory of technology pools, this book illustrates relationship issues including tying arrangements and essential facility consideration vis-a-vis technology pools. It analyzes the modalities of forming such pools in the area of biotechnology, specifically illustrating that the formation of technology pools is possible and can be safely undertaken, and proposes a viable solution and structure. Patent pools in the biotechnology industry will pave the way towards open collaborative research, reducing patent thickets. Formation of such pools will increase access to various technology and patents otherwise out of bounds, resulting in a reduction of licensing costs and a spur in the development of new solutions. Most importantly, such pools will reduce the frequency of patent toll gates, making the entire spectrum of research interesting from the perspective of researchers as well as investors. This book will be an aid to researchers studying intellectual property, patents, and biotechnology, as well as to interest groups including funding agencies, venture funds, angel investors, and proponents of the open-source movement.

Billions of minutes a month are spent globally on social media. This raises not only serious legal issues, but also has a clear impact on everyday commercial activity. This book considers the significant legal developments that have arisen due to social media. It provides an expert explanation of the issues that practitioners and businesses need to consider, as well as the special measures that are required in order to minimise their exposure to risk. The content is highly practical, and not only explores the law related to social media, but also includes useful aids for the reader, such as flow charts, checklists and case studies. Various categories and channels of social media are covered in this book, alongside the legal classification of different social networks. Social media is also considered in the context of human rights law by evaluating the implications this has had upon the development of civil and criminal law when pursuing a civil remedy or criminal prosecution in relation to online speech. As part of these discussions the book deals specifically with the Defamation Act 2013, the Communications Act 2003, the Computer Misuse Act 1990 and the Contempt of Court Act 1988 among other key issues such as seeking Injunctions and the resulting privacy implications. Finally, the author also pays careful consideration to the commercial aspects raised by social media. The reader will find reference to key cases and regulatory guidance notes and statutes including, the Data Protection Act 1998 (including the draft Data Protection Regulation), user privacy, human rights, trading and advertising standards, special rules for FCA regulated bodies and social media insurance. This book is an invaluable guide for private practice and in-house practitioners, business professionals, academics and post-graduate students involved in the law surrounding social media.

Since 2010, the Inter-university chair in law and the Human Genome has been involved in an EU 7th Framework Programme funded Project called Sybhel, leading work package 5. The aim of this work package was to face the issues related to synthetic biology and intellectual property rights. In these years, the Chair organized two international workshops devoted to this topic, collecting a number of high level unpublished papers redacted by some of the most prominent experts in this field worldwide, including Stephen Maurer, Joachim Henkel, Ingrid Schneider, etc. We consider that it would be extremely interesting to have them all gathered in a unique contributed volume, which would be the first book exclusively dedicated to analyze the implications that Synbio may involve in what refers to the currently existing intellectual property rights system.

A timely and apposite treatise on Papua New Guinea's economic environment, this book explores business organizations law and various aspects of commercial law in Papua New Guinea in a readable and informative style.

Business and commerce is the twin engine that propels the economy of a modern nation. They ensure steady economic growth and development. In an age of globalization, they assume even greater importance than at any time in human history. A nation risks being marginalized or left behind in the race for a share of the world economic market unless it ensures the stability of its business and commercial sector. Trade regulation, good governance and democratic institutions go hand in hand in guaranteeing political and social equilibrium. As such the laws designed to facilitate trade and commerce are a vital component of the political and social equation.

This is a valuable book for law students, legal practitioners, accountants and business executives, not only within Papua New Guinea, but also in Australia and throughout the South Pacific.

A timely and apposite treatise on Papua New Guinea's economic environment, this book explores business organizations law and various aspects of commercial law in Papua New Guinea in a readable and informative style.

Business and commerce is the twin engine that propels the economy of a modern nation. They ensure steady economic growth and development. In an age of globalization, they assume even greater importance than at any time in human history. A nation risks being marginalized or left behind in the race for a share of the world economic market unless it ensures the stability of its business and commercial sector. Trade regulation, good governance and democratic institutions go hand in hand in guaranteeing political and social equilibrium. As such the laws designed to facilitate trade and commerce are a vital component of the political and social equation.

This is a valuable book for law students, legal practitioners, accountants and business executives, not only within Papua New Guinea, but also in Australia and throughout the South Pacific.