Title

Principles of the Existing EC Contract Law (Acquis Principles)

Table of Contents

Chapter I: General ProvisionsSection 3: Notice and formArticle 1:303: Freedom of formChapter 2: Pre-contractual DutiesSection 1: General dutiesArticle 2:101: Good faithArticle 2:103: Negotiations contrary to good faithChapter 4: FormationArticle 4:101: Agreement between the partiesArticle 4:102: Conclusion of contractChapter 6:Article 6:203: Interpretation of termsChapter 7: Performance of ObligationsSection 1: General dutiesArticle 7:102: Good faith in the exercise of rightsArticle 7:104: Duty to co-operate

Content

Chapter I: General Provisions

Section 3: Notice and form

Article 1:303: Freedom of form

Unless provided otherwise, no form needs to be observed in legal dealings.

Chapter 2: Pre-contractual Duties

Section 1: General duties

Article 2:101: Good faith

In pre-contractual dealings, parties must act in accordance with good faith.

Article 2:103: Negotiations contrary to good faith

(1) A party is free to negotiate and is not liable for failing to reach an agreement.

(2) However, a party who has conducted or discontinued negotiations contrary to good faith is liable for loss caused to the other party.

(3) In particular, a party acts contrary to good faith if it enters into or continues negotiations with no real intention of reaching an agreement.

Chapter 4: Formation

Article 4:101: Agreement between the parties

A contract is concluded if the parties intend to be legally bound, and they reach a sufficient agreement.

Article 4:102: Conclusion of contract

(1) A contract can be concluded by the acceptance of an offer in accordance with the following provisions.

(2) The rules in this chapter apply accordingly when the process of conclusion of a contract cannot be analysed into offer and acceptance.

Chapter 6:

Article 6:203: Interpretation of terms

(1) Where the meaning of a term is unclear, that term is to be interpreted against the party who supplied it.

Chapter 7: Performance of Obligations

Section 1: General duties

Article 7:102: Good faith in the exercise of rights

The creditor must exercise its rights to performance and remedies for non-performance in accordance with good faith.

Article 7:104: Duty to co-operate

The debtor and the creditor must co-operate with each other to the extent that this can reasonably be expected for the performance of an obligation.

Referring Principles

Trans-Lex Principle: I.1.1 - Good faith and fair dealing in international tradeTrans-Lex Principle: IV.2.1 - Contractual consentTrans-Lex Principle: IV.4.1 - Freedom of formTrans-Lex Principle: IV.5.4 - Interpretation against the party that supplied the termTrans-Lex Principle: IV.6.9 - Duty to notify / to cooperateTrans-Lex Principle: IV.8.1 - Principle of pre-contractual liability