When does the law permit you to change your mind and reverse a decision you have made? In this masterful book, one of the foremost authorities on American contract law considers the general principles and legal rules that bear on this question. Drawing on many fields-contracts, torts, property, trusts, wills, agency, and even family law and procedure-E. Allan Farnsworth identifies and discusses six such principles. Using real legal cases as well as an array of nonlegal sources ranging from Rousseau and Martin Luther to Shirley MacLaine and Willie Nelson, Farnsworth illustrates the importance of the principles that govern the irrevocability of a commitment (as by a promise) and the irreversibility of a relinquishment (as by a gift) or preclusion (as by prescription). He discusses deficiencies in the law-such as the preoccupation with the reliance principle, the neglect of other principles, the propensity to find promise, and the tendency toward legal paternalism-and offers suggestions to eliminate anomalies, correct shortcomings, and further the rationalization of the legal concepts that pertain to regretted decisions.

Legal problems abound in the information society. Electronic commerce, copyright, privacy, illegal and harmful content, taxes, wiretapping governments face an enormous challenge to meet the advent of the Internet and ICT with a flexible, up-to-date, and adequate legal framework. Yet one aspect makes this challenge even more daunting: internationalization. Law is still to a great extent based on nation states, but the information society is above all a borderless and global society. Territoriality and national sovereignty clash with the need for a global approach to address ICT-law issues. Should states leave everything to the global market, or should they intervene to protect vital national interests? If they create regulations, should these reflect the rules of the physical world? How can one enforce national rules in a world where acts take place somewhere in Cyberspace? This text presents the positions on these issues of the governments of the Netherlands, Germany, France, the UK, and the US, as well as of international organisations. How do they think about co-regulation, law enforcement, harmonization, international co-operation, and alternative dispute resolution? How do they deal with applicable law and online contracts, privacy, international liability of Internet providers, and electronic signatures? What are the implications of the European Electronic Commerce Directive and the draft Crime in Cyberspace convention? Any legal framework that is to fit the global information society must take into account internationalization. This volume shows to what extent governments are meeting this challenge.

Commercial agency, distribution and franchising agreements form the backbone of cross-border commercial activity, and international lawyers are frequently confronted with issues relating to such agreements. This reference work describes the law of the European Union relating to commercial agency, distribution and franchising, together with a detailed comparative analysis of the legislation and case law of the 15 Member States, Switzerland and Norway. Each country report follows a similar structure and classification system to facilitate quick reference and comparison between jurisdictions. Since the second edition of this work was published in 1993, the Common Market has become a reality and the Treaties of Maastricht and Amsterdam have had a significant impact on European law.

This text provides a comprehensive guide to the principles of European contract law. They have been drawn up by an independent body of experts from each Member State of the EU, under a project supported by the European Commission and many other organizations. The principles are stated in the form of articles, with a detailed commentary explaining the purpose and operation of each article and its relation to the remainder. Each article also has extensive comparative notes surveying the national laws and other international provisions on the topic. "The Principles of European Contract Law Parts I & II" cover the core rules of contract: formation, authority of agents, validity, interpretation, contents, performance, non-performance and remedies. The articles previously published in Part I (1995) are included in a revised and re-ordered form. Throughout Europe there is great interest in developing a common European legal culture. The European Parliament has twice called for the creation of a European Civil Code. The principles of European contract law are essential steps in these projects.

Using an interdisciplinary approach involving economics, sociology, and law, Regulating Contracts explores fundamental questions about contracts and legal regulation. What kind of social relation do contracts create, or, more precisely, how do contracts cover social interaction? How are contractual relations or more generally markets constructed? Does the law play a significant role in contractual practices, and in particular what do lawyers, courts, and legal sanctions contribute to the contractual social order? For what distributive purposes does the law attempt regulation? The controversial conclusions of this study suggest that the law plays an insignificant role in the construction of markets, and that law and lawyers could provide better assistance by using indeterminate regulation that permits the recontextualization of legal reasoning. Legal regulation of contracts concerned with redistributive tasks, such as redress of unfairness, countering unjust power relations, and access to justice, is evaluated both with respect to the objectives of regulation and the search for the most efficient and efficacious form of regulation.

If one party to a construction contract does work that turns out to be defective, the other party is allowed by law to a set offa or deduct a sum required to make good that defect. This happens frequently in construction contracts and regularly involves large sums of money, disputes, and litigation. It is a complex area of the law with a number of cases, as well as the contractual provisions themselves, which prescribe a partya s right of set--off. This book clearly describes the law and examines the provisions of the main building and civil engineering contracts.

Combining natural law theory, reliance theory, and economic analysis to develop a jurisprudential approach, this is a prescriptive work presenting a vision of what contract law would be like if it were devoted to teaching moral virtue. The jurisprudential approach draws upon insights of Aristotle, Saint Thomas Aquinas, and other thinkers in the natural law tradition. The author applies this approach to selected legal issues to produce the only contemporary book that uses a natural law approach in prescribing specific reforms in American contract law. Although this study is theoretical, the author, who practiced law for more than eight years, explains technical terms for non-specialist readers. The book employs a pluralistic moral theory and presents a serious challenge to contemporary jurisprudential theories that focus on some single dominant value. A key idea is that contract law should teach and employ certain moral principles when applied to legal issues related to enforceability, remedies, offer and acceptance, and nondisclosure. With respect to each issue, the author compares his proposed resolution with the prevailing current law.

One party induces an assumption in the mind of another. Australian law has arguably given expression to three moral duties relating to induced assumptions: the duty to keep promises, the duty not to lie and the duty to ensure the reliability of induced assumptions. This book expounds the third of these duties and shows how it can be used to shape "equitable" estoppel, a doctrine emerging from the decisions of the High Court of Australia in Waltons Stores and Verwayen. It does not purport to cover the entire law of estoppel, but does examine, analytically, how the doctrine might operate in a series of problematic cases at the edge of contract law.

For most writers, negotiating the legal maze of publishing is as challenging as getting their words in print. This comprehensive guide offers writers solid advice on all aspects of publishing law. Candid and readable, it cover everything from copyrights and taxes to libel laws, subsidiary rights, and the obscure clauses in publisher's contracts. As important resource for editors, agents, or anyone in print or electronic publishing, this updated third edition of "The Writer's Legal Companion" features essential, irreplacable information on: publishing contracts, good and bad clauses libel, slander, and invasion of privacy issues electronic rights conditions the business of publishing, including marketing and selling books magazine publishing collaboration and agents' agreements federal income tax considerations for freelance writers copyright legalities Whether you write an occasional magazine article or publish a new book every year, The Writers Legal Companion will save you time, and reduce you anxiety over the business of publishing.

An historical analysis of the development and reform of the law of prior obligations as expressed in preexisting duty rule and past consideration rule. Teeven's principal focus is on the judicial rationalization of common law reforms to partially remove the bar to enforcement of promises grounded in the past. This study traces American deviations from English common law doctrine over the past two centuries in developing theories to overcome traditional impediments to recovery presented by the law of prior obligations. It also explores ideas for further reforms found buried in past case law. The growing unease with both the dashing of legitimate consensual expectations and the perceived unfairness to naive, ill-informed, and otherwise disadvantaged parties served as the impetus for liberalization of the exclusive contract bargain test. The resultant reforms adhered to the modern realist emphasis on fairness. The expansion of contractual liability to include promises looking to the past encompasses some of the most important reforms of the consideration contract since its genesis. As a consequence, contractual liability can no longer be defined solely in terms of bargain consideration since contract law now includes a broader range of promissory liability.

Financial Protection in the UK Building Industry provides comprehensive treatment of a complex aspect of construction management which is increasingly important in modern construction contracts. The term 'Financial Protection' refers to the various mechanisms by which funds are made available to ensure the due performance of a party's contractual obligations.
Financial Protection in the UK Building Industry looks at the legal and economic background to the problem of providing financial protection to clients to guard against poor performance and/or the insolvency of contractors, consultants and sub-contractors. The inclusion of practical guidance notes and summaries makes this a valuable guide for the construction professional as well as for the researcher.

eBook available with sample pages: 0203478223

Volume two of this set of two texts brings together all the EC legislation which the general commercial contract lawyer would normally require. The legislation relating to matters which are not strictly contractual, such as intellectual property, company law and taxation, have been excluded. Where legislation has been amended by subsequent treaties, regulations or directives, the amendments are incorporated in the text. The legislation in this volume is that which is available and published in the Official Journal of the European Communities as at 1 May 1997.

Volume one of this set of two texts presents a detailed exposition of the relevant EC rules in contract law that are applicable throughout the European Union, regardless of the national law of the contract. No commentary has been added to the text, which should be regarded as an account of the present state of the law. The use of EC regulations and directives in private law is a relatively novel concept. A growing body of EC legislation has been adopted with a view to determining various contractual obligations which must be complied with. The book is divided into seven chapters, each covering a separate aspect of contractual relations. In each of these chapters, the content reflects as closely as possible the precise wording of the EC legislation, together with the precise wording of any relevant dicta of the European Court of Justice. The legislation relating to matters which are not strictly contractual, such as intellectual property, company law and taxation, have been excluded. Where legislation has been amended by subsequent treaties, regulations or directives, the amendments are incorporated in the text. The legislation in this volume is that which is available and published in the Official Journal of the European Communities as at 1 May 1997.

This book reassesses the links between contracts, co-operation, and economic competitiveness. It uses new theoretical research and case studies to show how the economic theory of contract is being reshaped by the role of institutions in promoting co-operation and trust. It makes an important and topical contribution to an area of interdisciplinary scholarship by drawing together the work of economists, sociologists, and lawyers.

This is an important book which explores the classification of obligations. This is a very topical subject and it is fitting that it is examined here by contributors who are among the best-known writers in this field. The contributions include A New 'Seascape' for Obligations: Reclassification on the Basis of Measure of Damages by Jane Stapleton; Basic Obligations by James Penner; and an essay by Peter Birks himself entitled, Definition and Division: A Meditation on Institutes. These essays combine practical and academic perspectives which usefully highlight contemporary trends in the law of obligations. The book will be a valuable addition to the libraries of all teachers involved in this area of law.

Our legal system is committed to the idea that private markets and the law of contracts that supports them are the primary institutions for allocating goods and services in a modern economy. Yet the market paradigm, this book argues, leaves substantial room for challenge. For example, should people be permitted to buy and sell blood, bodily organs, surrogate babies, or sexual favors? Is it fair to allow people with limited knowledge about a transaction and its consequences to enter into it without guidance from experts?

Much construction work is done by sub--contractors, particularly the so--called domestic sub--contractors, appointed by the main contractor. The former usually work under the standard sub--contract DOM/1 for use with JCT 80, or DOM/2 for use with JCT 81----where there is contract design. Unfortunately, many sub--contractorsa rights are often abused because they have little or no understanding of their rights and obligations under the new contracts. Written by an experienced quantity surveyor, this new book provides a clause--by--clause summary of these important principles.

The comprehensive guide to all the essential legal and business considerations to be taken into account in structuring and negotiating technology-driven corporate alliances. Readers are provided with a clear and concise introduction to the nature and scope of the legal rights relating to new technologies and a framework for evaluating prospective business partners and for identifying the key contracting issues. An indispensable resource for consummating licensing, research and development, manufacturing and distribution, and corporate partnering arrangements, as well as managing relationships with university researchers and raising capital for research activities.

Entrepreneurs, executives, technology managers, lawyers, accountants and researchers will benefit from the step-by-step approach to each technology-driven transaction, beginning with the description of the law of technology and intellectual property; continuing with the initial investigation of the technology which is to be the subject of the transaction and the general contractual components of any transaction; and ending with the essential elements of each relationship, including permitted uses of the technology, compensation, representations and warranties, covenants, closing conditions, indemnification, and the procedures for ensuring that the technology remain a valuable asset for each party. The book covers each of the stages involved in developing, manufacturing, licensing, distributing, and financing technology-based products and will serve as an invaluable and constant resource in making sure that all of the important issues have been considered before the deal is sealed.

Eugene Massengale provides a much needed comprehensive review of the basic federal statutes and implementing regulations governing contracting with the United States government, as interpreted by the courts, boards of contract appeals, and the Comptroller General of the United States. His in-depth examination of the relationship between the common law of contracts and federal contracting also considers the underlying constitutional implications of government procurement.

Massengale reviews the principal federal statutes governing contracting with the United States and discusses the authority of government agents to enter into a contract. He reviews the major procurement methods authorized by statute and the case law that has interpreted the regulations prescribing these methods. The author assesses the formality of sealed bidding and the flexibility of negotiation. He discusses the all-important issue of when and what types of changes are permitted under government contracts. He delineates the instances in which a contractor's failure to perform the work contracted for may be excusable and those in which the government may terminate a contract. Other issues considered are the government's right to audit a contractor's records; disputes, claims, and their resolution under the Contract Disputes Act of 1978; and debarment proceedings and the consequences of debarment and suspension. This comprehensive text is a must acquisition for contract administrators in government and industry, lawyers, and contractors doing business with the federal government. It could also be used as a textbook in courses on federal contract law.

When infringement or wrongdoing is alleged against a corporation, where are we to look for the imputed reprehensible conduct or knowledge on which the case must depend? This is a question that is asked and asked again as each expansion and intensification of corporate activity gives rise to ever more complex issues of accountability and responsibility. This theoretical study builds on classic and recent work in the field to provide a systematic and coherent analysis of corporate liability in its current context. Focusing on rules of attribution developed in a notable series of English cases, the author explains in detail the various ways in which these rules may be applied in civil, criminal, and regulatory proceedings against corporate defendants. The book exposes the circumstances in which corporations, as legal persons, may incur personal liability for the acts or omissions of their servants or agents that were carried out in the course of their employment, defining the means through which corporate liability must be determined. It focuses on the personal liability of corporations, incorporating common law principles of vicarious liability and agency as well as exceptions arising from the Companies Act 1985 and other legislation. The study covers such important areas as the following: the "problem of many hands," in which individual servants or agents may be aware of only a portion of a corporate transaction or undertaking; the traditional "directing mind" theory as one of the means of identifying the relevant individuals whose conduct or state of knowledge may result in corporate liability; the development of "principles of attribution" as a framework for approaching different situations where liability may be established against corporations; a new concept of "aggregation" which allows, under particular circumstances, the collective knowledge of various individuals to be attributed to the corporation; the relevance of "Chinese Walls" in limiting the extent to which principles of attribution apply; and a comprehensive survey of the different circumstances in which corporations, including holding corporations in corporate groups, and their servants and agents may incur liability. This title is more than a mere legal device for practical purposes. It is rigorously based on the theoretical foundations of corporations, particularly the all-important interplay between the individualistic and collective aspects of the corporate persona.

Economic analysis is being applied by scholars to an increasing range of legal problems. This collection brings together some of the main contributions to an important area of this work, the economics of contract law. The essays and illuminating notes, questions, and introductions provided by the editor outline the Law and Economics framework for analyzing contractual relationships. The first two parts of the book present a number of useful concepts - adverse selection, moral hazard, and rent seeking - and a general way of thinking about the economics of contracting and contract law. The remainder of the book considers a wide range of topics and issues. The recurring theme is that contracting parties want to assign the responsibility for adjusting to particular contingencies to the party best able to control the costs of adjustment. The adjustment problem is exacerbated by the fact that the parties might engage in various types of strategic behavior, such as opportunism, moral hazard, and rent-seeking. Many contract law doctrines can best be understood as attempts to replicate how reasonable parties might resolve this adjustment problem.

Provides useful background and detailed advice on the law surrounding a wide range of commercial agreements including: Key common clauses; When to use standard terms; Procedures and good practice; Termination of contracts; Remedies for breach; Specific issues relating to export, software and consumer contracts. It also contains valuable precedents, including expert guidance on Business-to-Business and Business-to-Consumer agreements, providing users with an excellent tool for drafting commercial contracts. Key changes for the new 5th edition include coverage and analysis of: - important case law as to when terms are unfair or unreasonable, notably the first Supreme Court ruling on the fairness test in ParkingEye Ltd v Beavis - Changes in the regulation of consumer credit since regulation passed to the Financial Conduct Authority - Fresh court guidance as to when terms have been incorporated into a contract - Rulings on the rules as to the enforceable of onerous terms - The Consumer Rights Act 2015 - The effect of the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR - Brexit and the transitional period - The new 2019 EU Regulation on privacy - Replacement of the PECR regulations by the new EU Directive on trade secrets and UK implementation An essential resource for commercial contract drafters helping them to prepare water tight legal agreements and ensure that they are completely clear on what a business must do to stay on the right side of the law. Includes online access to downloadable precedents