Traditionally, conflict of law rules designate only national substantive law as the applicable law. Many unifying and harmonizing substantive law instruments of both States and non-State organizations, however, are designed specifically for application to cross-border relationships. Achieving this objective is, generally, hindered by conflict of law rules. The requirements which non-national law needs to fulfil in order to be accepted as the law governing a cross-border relationship deserve clarification. Not only uniform law, such as the CISG and the envisaged European substantive law instrument for the law of obligations, but, particularly, instruments which are aimed at harmonizing substantive law, challenge the established systems of conflict of laws. In seeking a positive approach towards the application of a law other than national law various aspects need to be considered: (1) is the decision taken by a court or an arbitral tribunal; (2) what field of law (contract/delict/tort or family relationships) is involved; and (3) the objective or subjective (choice by the parties) designation of the applicable law.

Is the unification and harmonisation of (international) family law in Europe necessary? Is it feasible, desirable and possible? Reading the different contributions to this book may certainly inspire those who would like to find the right answers to these questions.

Written by leading Conflict of Laws scholars, Conflict of Laws: Cases and Materials, Eighth Edition, presents a balanced study of Conflict of Laws, otherwise known as Private International Law. The book begins with a discussion of traditional approaches to choice-of-law problems, both inter-state and international, followed by an examination of how modern courts and commentators have struggled to formulate new and better approaches. The remaining broad topics—constitutional limitations on choice of law, personal jurisdiction, conflicts in the federal system, recognition and enforcement of judgments, extraterritorial application of federal law, choice of legal regimes, and choice of law in complex litigation—are considered in light of the wisdom derived from consideration of the basic choice-of-law problems. New to the Eighth Edition: Addition of new co-author Carlos M. Vázquez, a leading scholar in Conflict of Laws as well as the adjacent fields of International Law and Foreign Relations Law Expanded coverage of Conflict of Laws in the international context, with a focus on the increasingly important topic of extraterritorial application of federal law New Supreme Court decisions on personal jurisdiction and constitutional limits on choice of law Expanded coverage of choice of law in marriage and divorce Discussion of draft Third Restatement of Conflict of Laws Professors and students will benefit from: A balance of historical and recent cases, with problems that test application of case precedents A balance between theoretical and practical aspects of Conflict of Laws, with coverage of state law and comparative perspectives where appropriate Focus on Choice of Law Broader coverage of extraterritorial application of federal law than any leading Conflict of Laws casebook Modern applications to internet disputes, complex litigation, party autonomy, and jurisdictional competition, among other cutting-edge topics

The enhanced cooperation mechanism allows at least nine Member States to introduce secondary EU law which is only binding among these Member States. From an internal market perspective, enhanced cooperation laws are unique as they lie somewhere between unilateral Member State laws and uniform European Union law. The law creates harmonisation and coordination between the participating Member States, but may introduce trade obstacles in relation to non-participating Member States. This book reveals that the enhanced cooperation mechanism allows Member States to protect their harmonised values and coordination endeavours against market efficiency. Values which may not be able to justify single Member State's trade obstacles may outweigh pure internal market needs if an entire group of Member States finds these value worthy of protection. However, protection of the harmonised values can never go as far as shielding participating Member States from the negative effects of enhanced cooperation laws. The hybrid nature of enhanced cooperation laws - their nexus between the law of a single Member State and secondary EU law - also demands that these laws comply with state aid law. This book shows how the European state aid law provisions should be applied to enhanced cooperation laws. Furthermore, the book also develops a sophisticated approach to the limits non-participating Member States face in ensuring that their actions do not impede the implementation of enhanced cooperation between the participating Member States.

This book analyses the complex system of contract law operating in the Greater Bay Area and examines the independent legal systems of Hong Kong, Macau and China in light of the region’s rapid economic integration. The book explores the differences between these systems in theory and in practice, and identifies the challenges and pathways to legal harmonisation in the region.

This book is an in-depth, comparative study of the nature of civil & commercial law & of its development in the PRC. It focuses on the very complex interrelations & interactions between Party & state policies & measures, scholars' theoretical efforts & the development of civil & commercial law, especially the development of the institutions of legal personality & of property rights in the PRC. It also analyses the underlying influences of foreign legal systems & legal theories as well as the difficulties experienced by Chinese law makers & scholars in applying these theories. The book provides fresh insights into the role of law & the transformation of Chinese civil & commercial law, as now occurring in the PRC. The book is a valuable reference source for scholars who wish to explore the fascinating subject of the transformation of civil & commercial law in contemporary China.

Updated throughout, this revision of Lea Brilmayers's leading casebook-CONFLICT OF LAWS: Cases and Materials-continues to challenge and enlighten your students with an understandable, balanced, and comprehensive introduction To The complex area of conflicts. The book immerses students in choice-of-law problems-the heart of conflicts-followed by a chapter on the courts' struggles for responsive approaches. Five chapters move on to cover broader topics: constitutional limitations on choice of law, personal jurisdiction, The Erie Doctrine, recognition of judgments, and conflicts in the international context. Well known for her scholarship in conflicts, Brilmayer shows the modern relevance-both theoretical and practical-of conflicts. Wherever possible, she inclues cases involving statute of limitations, corporate regulation, and other important state law issues. Revisions include extensive additions To The chapters on... personal jurisdiction, featuring important new cases, Carnival Cruise Lines v. Shute, Burnham b. Superior Court, and others international litigation, including the new Supreme Court decisions in United States v. Verdugo-Urguidez and Hartford Fire Insurance v. California and a new sample problem focusing on the Robert Maxwell bankruptcy pending in U.S. And British courts. In addition, The chapter on federal/state relations now includes Ferens v. John Deere. And the chapter on the struggle for responsive approaches features a new case on the Restatement (Second) of Conflicts.