This comparative research was triggered by the assessment of property registration law published in the World Bank Doing Business reports (DB). The international and interdisciplinary team aimed to assess how legal certainty was imagined and put in practice in French and English law, using commercial real estate as a case study. Not only this study identifies the economic impact of the law in both jurisdictions, it also looked at the practitioners functions in the dealing with commercial real estate transactions. In other words, it analyses the topical position of practitioners such as the French notaires and the role of solicitors in England. Nowadays, the profession of notaires is confronted to numerous challenges. For instance, nationality requirement for its access, has been ruled by the ECJ as contrary to the freedom of establishment and art. 49 TFEU and not justified by "the exercise of public authority".In this study, the authors argue that the actual nature and the quality of the work done by the practitioners should be considered as well as financial cost and delays. They also argue that a liberalisation of professions such as civil law notaires would have very little impact on the cost associated with doing business. As a matter of fact, both the English and the French mechanisms are very similar in their objectives and outcome even though they handle the same transaction differently, because of the culturally different relevant angles.

The harmonization of private international law in Europe has advanced rapidly since the entry into force of the Treaty of Amsterdam. Most aspects of private international law are now governed or at least affected by EU legislation, and there is a substantial and growing body of case-law from the European Court as well as the courts of the Member States. This timely Handbook addresses key questions and problems that currently exist in the rules of private international law laid down by European Union regulations. Bringing together perspectives from both civil law and common law traditions, the book mainly considers issues relating to the Brussels I Regulation on civil jurisdiction and judgments, and to the Rome I and II Regulations on choice of law in respect of contractual or non-contractual obligations. Weaknesses in the current law are identified, and suggestions are made for possible improvements. The expert contributors focus on currently relevant problems including some issues which have tended to be neglected. Academics, law students and public officials interested in private international law will find this Handbook to be a valuable resource. Both practising lawyers and commercial lobbyists will also find many useful insights. Contributors include: O. Bamodu, I. Carr, Y. Farah, G. Guneysu-Gungoer, L. Heffernan, S. Hourani, D. Kenny, M. Koutsias, X.E. Kramer, P. Stone, E. Treppoz, A. Yilmaz-Vastardis, H.-L. Yu

The harmonization of private international law in Europe has advanced rapidly since the entry into force of the Treaty of Amsterdam. Most aspects of private international law are now governed or at least affected by EU legislation, and there is a substantial and growing body of case-law from the European Court as well as the courts of the Member States. This timely Handbook addresses key questions and problems that currently exist in the rules of private international law laid down by European Union regulations. Bringing together perspectives from both civil law and common law traditions, the book mainly considers issues relating to the Brussels I Regulation on civil jurisdiction and judgments, and to the Rome I and II Regulations on choice of law in respect of contractual or non-contractual obligations. Weaknesses in the current law are identified, and suggestions are made for possible improvements. The expert contributors focus on currently relevant problems including some issues which have tended to be neglected. Academics, law students and public officials interested in private international law will find this Handbook to be a valuable resource. Both practising lawyers and commercial lobbyists will also find many useful insights. Contributors include: O. Bamodu, I. Carr, Y. Farah, G. Guneysu-Gungoer, L. Heffernan, S. Hourani, D. Kenny, M. Koutsias, X.E. Kramer, P. Stone, E. Treppoz, A. Yilmaz-Vastardis, H.-L. Yu