Following the publication of the Principles of European Insurance Contract Law (PEICL) in 2009, there has been significant political and academic discussion on their possible use as an optional instrument. Experts' views on this topic were exchanged at a conference held in Vienna in January 2010. The distinguished speakers represented European politics, legal science, insurance industry, insurance intermediaries and consumers. These independent experts, who were not involved in drafting the PEICL, presented their critical, unbiased opinions on the project. This volume presents the proceedings of the Vienna conference. It also includes a postscript in commemoration of the late Professor Dr. Fritz Reichert-Facilides, whose visionary ideas led to the creation of the Project Group "Restatement of European Insurance Contract Law" and to the drafting of the PEICL.
In this volume, the Project Group "Restatement of European Insurance Contract Law" presents its Principles of European Insurance Contract Law (PEICL). These principles were submitted to the European Commission as a Draft Common Frame of Reference of European Insurance Contract Law (DCFR Insurance). The volume comprises the PEICL/DCFR Insurance, as well as translations into Czech, Dutch, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, and Spanish. It sets out the approach used by the Project Group, how the PEICL/DCFR Insurance relates to the overall DCFR, the participation of the Project Group in the CoPECL (Common Principles of European Contract Law) Network, as well as the general structure and characteristics of the PEICL/DCFR Insurance. The Project Group has also drafted the PEICL/DCFR Insurance as a model for an Optional Instrument of European Insurance Contract Law.
In this volume, the Study Group and the Acquis Group present the first academic Draft of a Common Frame of Reference (DCFR). The Draft is based in part on a revised version of the Principles of European Contract Law (PECL) and contains Principles, Definitions and Model Rules of European Private Law in an interim outline edition. It covers the books on contracts and other juridical acts, obligations and corresponding rights, certain specific contracts, and non-contractual obligations. One purpose of the text is to provide material for a possible "political" Common Frame of Reference (CFR) which was called for by the European Commission's Action Plan on a More Coherent European Contract Law of January 2003.
This Consultation Paper is part of a wider review of insurance contract law, carried out by the Law Commission and Scottish Law Commission. It covers four topics: (1) Damages for late payment; (2) Insurers' remedies for fraudulent claims; (3) Insurable interest; (4) Policies and premiums in marine insurance. This paper follows a previous consultation paper in 2007 on Misrepresentation, Non-Disclosure and Breach of Warranty (LCCP 182; SLCDP 134, ISBN 9780117037823).
The direction and clarity of the author's argument is commendably clear. Thus it is clear at the outset that he is mainly concerned with pre-contractual information duties as they affect consumers, and thus standard form contracts¢although, he argu
Situated within the context of the ongoing debate about European contract law, this book provides a detailed examination of the European Union's competence in the field of contract law. It analyses the limits of Union competence in relation to several relevant Treaty provisions which potentially confer competence on the Union to adopt a comprehensive contract law instrument and the exercise of Union competence in connection with the operation of the principles of subsidiarity, proportionality and sincere cooperation. It also explores the viability of several alternative and complementary routes to the adoption of such an instrument, including enhanced cooperation, an intergovernmental treaty and certain American techniques. Setting forth an elaborate account of the context for this debate and its chronological development at the European level, this book charts the discussions relating to the European Union's competence to regulate contract law and offers a comparative analysis of the approach taken to the approximation of contract law in the American setting. Setting forth a detailed account of the context for this debate and its chronological development at the European level, the book charts the discussions that have occurred within and outside the EU relating to the transnational competence to regulate contract law. Situating European constitutional law within the continued debate about European contract law, it also reflects upon the contract law structure of the United States and examines the viability of alternative and complementary routes to the adoption of a comprehensive instrument of substantive contract law.
Tort law is one of the core areas of European private law, in particular in the field of business law. However, it often receives less attention than the well-known and widely published developments in the field of European contract law. In order to direct more attention to this important subject, an intensive Round Table discussion on the subject of the evolution of torts in European business law was held. The contributions to this volume reflect the results of the research undertaken by renowned European scholars and practitioners on central aspects such as competition law, company law and intellectual property. Each contribution particularly focuses upon the overarching tendencies and principles within the individual aspect of tort law, thereby directing attention to the future at European level of this essential area of private law. Readership: Lawyers, academics, legal departments, judges, legal professionals concerned with torts in European business law.
One of the most important characteristics of today’s private law is that it increasingly flows from different sources: Next to national legislation and case law, it is also shaped by European and supranational sources and rapidly becoming a mixture of differently oriented rules and principles. This development can be described as one from coherence to fragmentation. The aim of the new book is to consider how this important shift has worked out in different subfields of the law like in contract and property law, in competition, insurance, marketing and private international law as well as in the law of intellectual property. This cross-disciplinary approach shows how pervasive legal fragmentation has become, and points out how to remedy the adverse effects it brings with it. The volume is therefore indispensable for anyone interested in how Europeanisation affects national private laws.
This Volume of the AIDA Europe Research Series on Insurance Law and Regulation focuses on transparency as the guiding principle of modern insurance law. It consists of chapters written by leaders in the respective field, who address transparency in a range of civil and common law jurisdictions, along with overview chapters. Each chapter reviews the transparency principles applicable in the jurisdiction discussed. Whether expressly or impliedly, all jurisdictions recognize a duty on the part of the insured to make a fair presentation of the risk when submitting a proposal for cover to the insurers, although there is little consensus on the scope of that duty. Disputed matters in this regard include: whether it is satisfied by honest answers to express questions, or whether there is a spontaneous duty of disclosure; whether facts relating to the insured’s character, as opposed to the nature of the risk itself, are to be presented to the insurers; the role of insurance intermediaries in the placement process; and the remedy for breach of duty. Transparency is, however, a much wider concept. Potential policyholders are in principle entitled to be made aware of the key terms of coverage and to be warned of hidden traps (such as conditions precedent, average clauses and excess provisions), but there are a range of different approaches. Some jurisdictions have adopted a “soft law” approach, using codes of practice for pre-contract disclosure, while other jurisdictions employ the rather nebulous duty of (utmost) good faith. Leaving aside placement, transparency is also demanded after the policy has been incepted. The insured is required to be transparent during the claims process. There is less consistency in national legislation regarding the implementation of transparency by insurers in the context of handling claims.
'Global insurance and its rapidly evolving law and regulation demands international research. To this aim, the Handbook offers a truly international collection of essays. Highly renowned experts analyze the key topics currently under international discussion and development. While representing a diversity of national jurisdictions, the focus lies on the largest insurance jurisdictions (USA, UK and Germany) but newly important jurisdictions like Brazil and China are considered as well a most valuable and important contribution to international insurance law literature.' Manfred Wandt, Director of the Insurance Law Institute, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Germany 'This Research Handbook is published at an opportune time. A global review of insurance law and regulation is underway. Much reform happens locally with little reference to developments elsewhere and this Research Handbook brings the strands together. It is a comprehensive review by distinguished authors from different backgrounds including both leading academics and practitioners. They consider the definitions of insurance, its economic underpinnings, comparative law and regulations, actual and proposed reforms, the effects on underwriting and claims and how insurance is studied and taught. Good laws and regulation benefit the market and its customers. Bad laws and regulation do the opposite. This book is required reading for all involved in the reform process.' David Hertzell, Law Commissioner 'Globalisation has had no greater impact in the commercial world than on insurance, the law which governs it and the risks it seeks to address. Those who inspired this publication and the contributing authors, are to be thanked for providing such a necessary and useful reference source. It covers so much of what insurance professionals need to be aware of in the insurance/law world of the twenty first century.' Michael Gill, President of the International Insurance Law Association Given its economic importance, insurance is a field that has been underserved as an area of academic study. This detailed book provides much needed coverage of insurance law and regulation in its international context. Produced in association with Lloyd's, it draws on the expertise both of academics and practising lawyers. Containing 30 comprehensive chapters, it provides in-depth studies on key areas, such as the role of international organisations, the judicial interpretation of insurance contract clauses and transnational regulatory recognition. It also provides thorough introductions to important jurisdictions, including the EU, US and Japan as well as focusing on newly emerging economies such as China and Brazil. Specialist topics covered include regulation by and of Lloyd's, the tort of bad faith in the US, microinsurance and takaful insurance. This well-documented resource will appeal to academics and students in insurance law and regulation, policymakers and private practice lawyers. The book also aims to stretch the imagination of anyone with an interest in insurance law and regulation, providing detailed analysis and avenues for further investigation.
