Contract Changes comparatively analyses the contract modification regulation of 11 EU Member States, drawing on case law and common legal practice. As the first comparative study of material contract modifications, this book explores the interpretation of key concepts such as: unforeseen circumstances, non-equivocal clauses and the overall nature of the contract. Highlighting the discord between the transparency of the award of a public contract and the transparency of its implementation, the book interprets the execution phase of procurement contracts as the dark side of public procurement. Considering unforeseen circumstances, the change of the identity of the contractor, non-compliance and remedies, this book provides a unique insight into the challenges of interpretation and application of contract modification rules. It concludes that, whilst the flexibility to make contract amendments is required in some circumstances, the grounding principles of public procurement law must be considered and applied in these instances. This original book will be of interest to researchers who are working in public procurement, European and comparative law. It will also be valuable to lawyers, contractors and policymakers involved with public procurement contracts, contracting authorities and advising private companies.

At a time when public administrations are increasingly subjected to transparency requirements this book provides timely analysis on the role of transparency in the context of public procurement within the EU. It provides a blend of theoretical analysis and practical insights into the operation of freedom of information requirements associated with the expenditure of public funds through purchasing, contracting out and commissioning activities. The first part of the book critically assesses a number of key issues surrounding transparency in public procurement including: corruption prevention, competition, commercial issues and access to remedies. The second part of the book features contributions from leading experts across ten European jurisdictions, providing a comparative view of transparency requirements and freedom of information rules in the context of public procurement. Overall the book provides a conceptual framework to understand the relationship between business secrets, freedom of information rules and the regulation of public procurement across Europe. This book will be of interest to scholars and students researching across public, administrative and comparative law. Practising lawyers who are involved with cross-border procurement tenders will also find this book to be a useful resource as it provides a comprehensive overview of regulatory standards at a national and European level.