Tacit choice of law in international commercial contracts: an analysis of Asian jurisdictions and the Asian Principles of Private International Law

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Garth J Bouwers
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
South Korea ◽  
International Law ◽  
Republic Of Korea ◽  
Private International Law ◽  
Choice Of Law ◽  
Rules And Principles ◽  
The Republic

Abstract This article analyses the determination of a tacit choice of law in international commercial contracts in China (including Hong Kong), Japan, Singapore, and South Korea (the Republic of Korea). The article also examines the proposed Asian Principles of Private International Law (APPIL). The APPIL is intended as a model for Asian jurisdictions to interpret or supplement their private international law rules. Legislators in these jurisdictions may also use it to enact their own statutes on private international law. In the globalized era, the need for certainty regarding the rules and principles of choice of law is of the utmost importance in international commercial contracts. The APPIL may prove particularly useful in bringing more clarity to the issues related to the determination of a tacit choice of law in the region.

Part 2 National and Regional Reports, Part 2.1 Africa: Coordinated by Jan L Neels and Eesa A Fredericks, 17 South Africa: South African Perspectives on the Hague Principles

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neels Jan L
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
International Law ◽  
South African ◽  
Comparative Approach ◽  
Private International Law ◽  
Rules And Principles ◽  
The Hague ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Contractual Obligations ◽  
Academic Authors

This chapter provides the reader with comments on the Hague Principles from the perspective of South African private international law of contract.Private international law in the Republic of South Africa is historically based on Roman–Dutch and English law, but is today influenced by domestic constitutional values, especially in the fields of international family and succession law. In the realm of the international law of obligations, the impact of the English common law is particularly strong. The notion of ‘the proper law of the contract’ is therefore widely used to indicate the law applicable to contractual obligations. The sources of private international law of contract are almost exclusively case law and the opinions of academic authors. The South African courts have always followed a comparative approach in respect of private international law, initially under the influence of an internationalist understanding of the conflict of laws. The courts would therefore certainly be entitled to refer to the Hague Principles as persuasive authority in the interpretation, supplementation, and development of the rules and principles of South African private international law.

scholarly journals PRIVATE INTERNATIONAL LAW IN BRAZIL: A BRIEF OVERVIEW

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-37
Author(s):  
Carmen Tiburcio
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
International Law ◽  
The United States ◽  
Private International Law ◽  
The Status ◽  
Rules And Principles ◽  
The Subject

The paper is intended to provide an overview of Private International Law in Brazil. With this purpose, it presents in broad lines the subject matters of the discipline, undertaking, whenever possible, comparisons with the contours given to it in the United States. In sum, the text deals with the acquisition of Brazilian nationality, the status of aliens, the determination of the applicable legislation to legal relationships with international connections – which includes the exam of Brazilian connecting rules and principles of Private International Law – and the exercise of Brazilian jurisdiction.

A re-examination of the conflict rules governing the validity of international contracts

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 41-59
Author(s):  
Prince Obiri-Korang
Keyword(s):  
International Law ◽  
Common Law ◽  
Careful Examination ◽  
Private International Law ◽  
Choice Of Law ◽  
Judicial Decisions ◽  
Legitimate Interest ◽  
The Law ◽  
Governing Law

Generally, under choice of law, the issue of uncertainty associated with the determination of the governing law of international contracts is quite clear. The level of this uncertainty, however, increases when dealing with questions about which law governs the validity of such contracts. Like other areas of private international law, matters concerning validity present several unique challenges both in theory and in practice, making it the most complicated topic in private international law literature. In fact, the uncertainty in this area has led to a situation where different rules are applied by different states, without taking into consideration the link that should exist between the state whose law becomes applicable and the function that the law is expected to serve – determining the validity of a contract. This article attempts to contribute to existing literature on choice of law questions regarding the validity of international contracts and also provides solutions, based on the underlying principles of private international law of contract that effectively address the uncertainty in this area of law. The article submits that the law that governs the validity of an international contract must, at all times, be one that has a legitimate interest in matters concerning the legality or otherwise of such contracts. In this regard, the article strongly opposes the theory that the parties’ intention determines the law that governs the validity of their contract. After a careful examination of literature and landmark judicial decisions in both civil law and common law jurisdictions, the article concludes that the lex loci solutionis is the appropriate law to determine matters relating to the validity of international contracts.

Part 2 National and Regional Reports, Part 2.2 Asia: Coordinated by Yuko Nishitani and Béligh Elbalti, 23 Hong Kong: Hong Kong Perspectives on the Hague Principles

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reyes Anselmo
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
International Law ◽  
Common Law ◽  
Case Law ◽  
Private International Law ◽  
English Court ◽  
Choice Of Law ◽  
The Hague ◽  
The Law

This chapter explores Hong Kong perspectives on the Hague Principles. Hong Kong has no enacted code of private international law rules. In relation to contracts dealing with commercial matters, the choice of law principles of Hong Kong law are largely to be found at common law. Decisions of the English court, in particular, are often cited in Hong Kong as exemplifying the law on a given question. To a lesser degree, principles may be found in statute. While Hong Kong judges must look to case law to discern relevant choice of law principles, nothing prevents them from also having regard to the Hague Principles and holding that one or more articles therein accurately reflect Hong Kong law. Indeed, articles of the Hague Principles can be referred to by Hong Kong judges as accurate statements of present day Hong Kong law, as foundations for the refinement of existing common law rules, or as indications of how Hong Kong choice of law principles may be extended to deal with novel situations.

Part 2 National and Regional Reports, Part 2.4 Europe: Coordinated by Thomas Kadner Graziano, 44 Iceland: Icelandic Perspectives on the Hague Principles

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Þorláksson Eiríkur Elís
Keyword(s):  
International Law ◽  
Private International Law ◽  
Choice Of Law ◽  
Recognition And Enforcement ◽  
The Hague ◽  
The Law ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Contractual Obligations

This chapter focuses on Icelandic perspectives on the Hague Principles. The constitution of the Republic of Iceland does not contain any provisions on the principles of private international law. Moreover, there is no general act on private international law in force in Iceland. However, legislation on specific aspects of private international law, such as conflicts of the laws of contract and recognition and enforcement of foreign decisions, can be found in Icelandic law. Moreover, individual provisions on recognition and enforcement, jurisdiction, and choice of law can be found throughout Icelandic legislation. The legislative act which applies to contractual obligations in the field of private international law in Iceland is Act No 43/2000 on the law applicable to contractual obligations. There are no other acts that explicitly aim to address choice of law issues other than Act No 43/2000, but individual provisions can be found indicating the choice of law in specific areas of law; otherwise, Icelandic courts will apply general principles to the case at hand. There is currently no revision of Act No 43/2000 under discussion in Iceland.

Part 2 National and Regional Reports, Part 2.2 Asia: Coordinated by Yuko Nishitani and Béligh Elbalti, 30 Lebanon: Lebanese Perspectives on the Hague Principles

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kobeh Marie-Claude Najm
Keyword(s):  
International Law ◽  
Civil Procedure ◽  
Private International Law ◽  
Choice Of Law ◽  
International Jurisdiction ◽  
Foreign Law ◽  
Statutory Law ◽  
Rules And Principles ◽  
Recognition And Enforcement ◽  
The Hague

This chapter evaluates Lebanese perspectives on the Hague Principles. In Lebanon, private international law rules in respect of international commercial contracts are not codified. There are statutory rules governing certain areas of private international law, some of which might be relevant in cases where international commercial contracts are litigated. This is the case for rules on international jurisdiction (Articles 74–80 Code of Civil Procedure, hereafter CCP), recognition and enforcement of foreign decisions (Articles 1009–1024 CCP), international arbitration (Articles 809–821 CCP) and the application of foreign law (Articles 139–142 CCP). Given the rarity of private international law statutory rules, and specifically the absence of statutory choice of law rules for international commercial contracts, it was up to the courts to shape conflict of law rules for these contracts.. In this respect, Lebanese courts do not have the authority to refer to the Hague Principles as persuasive applicable rules, ie to use them to interpret and supplement the applicable rules and principles of private international law. Nevertheless, it should be noted that Article 4 CCP invites the courts, in the absence of statutory law, to rely on ‘general principles, custom and equity’.

scholarly journals SYNCHRONIZATION OF APPLICABLE LAW WITH FORUM IN SUCCESSION AND MATRIMONIAL PROPERTY MATTERS IN THE EU AND UKRAINE

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Dikovska
Keyword(s):  
International Law ◽  
Legal Regulation ◽  
Private International Law ◽  
International Jurisdiction ◽  
Applicable Law ◽  
The Law ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Criminal Matters ◽  
The Eu

The purpose of this paper is to determine the ways of synchronization of applicable law with forum in succession and matrimonial property matters under the EU Succession Regulation and the EU Matrimonial Property Regulation and the rules which may determine international jurisdiction and applicable law in Ukraine as well as answer the question on whether the rules of the Law of Ukraine on Private International Law which ensure synchronization of applicable law with forum in succession and matrimonial property matters match the needs of legal regulation of private relationships. The application of comparative, dialectical and formal-logical methods allowed concluding that synchronization of the applicable law with forum is provided by using of the same criteria for the determination of international jurisdiction and applicable law. The rules which ensure synchronization can: 1) necessarily lead to the application of the court's own law in some private legal matters; 2) be an alternative to the other methods of determination of the applicable law and international jurisdiction which is applied if the parties to the respective relationship conclude the choiceof-law and choice-of-court agreements linking to the law and the court of the same state. Synchronization of the law with the forum in matrimonial property matters is possible under of the Law of Ukraine 'On Private International Law' if the spouses have concluded the choice-of-law and choice-of-court agreements and in some other cases. It has been proved that the rules of the Law of Ukraine 'On Private International Law' which apply dualistic approach for determination of the law governing succession relationships does not allow to achieve synchronization of the applicable law with the forum in succession matters in all cases. It has been demonstrated that the presence of immovable property in the estate located abroad leads to the application of a foreign law to the succession of such property, even if a deceased, being a citizen of Ukraine, has chosen in his will the law of Ukraine as the law applicable to the succession. It has been concluded that the Law of Ukraine 'On Private International Law' should be amended in such a way that the choice of the law applicable to the succession made by a deceased in the will should cover the succession of movable and immovable property regardless of its location. Keywords: synchronization of law with the forum; law applicable to succession; international jurisdiction in succession matters; international jurisdiction in family matters; Succession Regulation; Matrimonial Property Regulation; Agreement between Ukraine and the Republic of Poland on legal assistance and legal relations in civil and criminal matters; Law of Ukraine 'On Private International Law'.

scholarly journals PRIVATE INTERNATIONAL LAW IN BRAZIL: A BRIEF OVERVIEW

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-37
Author(s):  
Carmen Tiburcio
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
International Law ◽  
The United States ◽  
Private International Law ◽  
The Status ◽  
Rules And Principles ◽  
The Subject

The paper is intended to provide an overview of Private International Law in Brazil. With this purpose, it presents in broad lines the subject matters of the discipline, undertaking, whenever possible, comparisons with the contours given to it in the United States. In sum, the text deals with the acquisition of Brazilian nationality, the status of aliens, the determination of the applicable legislation to legal relationships with international connections – which includes the exam of Brazilian connecting rules and principles of Private International Law – and the exercise of Brazilian jurisdiction.

Part 2 National and Regional Reports, Part 2.2 Asia: Coordinated by Yuko Nishitani and Béligh Elbalti, 19 Asian Principles of Private International Law: The Asian Principles of Private International Law and the Hague Principles

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takasugi Naoshi ◽  
Elbalti Béligh
Keyword(s):  
International Law ◽  
Driving Force ◽  
Private International Law ◽  
International Arbitration ◽  
Choice Of Law ◽  
International Jurisdiction ◽  
Rules And Principles ◽  
Recognition And Enforcement ◽  
The Hague ◽  
The Relationship

This chapter looks at the relationship between the Asian Principles of Private International Law (APPIL) and the Hague Principles. The APPIL are intended to be a non-binding instrument which includes a comprehensive set of principles on private international law (PIL) generally recognized among the different Asian jurisdictions. The main purpose of the APPIL is to provide guidance to possible future harmonization of PIL rules and principles in Asia. Compared to the Hague Principles which are limited only to the issue of choice law in international contracts based on the express or tacit will of the parties, the APPIL have much broader scope, including choice of law, international jurisdiction, the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments, and judicial support to international arbitration. The chapter then outlines the history and the driving force behind the APPIL.

Part 2 National and Regional Reports, Part 2.2 Asia: Coordinated by Yuko Nishitani and Béligh Elbalti, 24 India: Indian Perspectives on the Hague Principles

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neels Jan L
Keyword(s):  
Member State ◽  
International Law ◽  
Common Law ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
Case Law ◽  
Private International Law ◽  
Rules And Principles ◽  
The Common ◽  
The Hague ◽  
The Republic

This chapter provides comments on the Hague Principles from the perspective of Indian private international law of contract. The Republic of India inherited the English common law, also in the field of private international law. Case law is the primary source of Indian private international law of contract. Rooted in the common law tradition, the courts would certainly be entitled to refer to the Hague Principles as persuasive authority in the interpretation, supplementation, and development of the rules and principles of private international law. In any event, the Hague Principles were adopted on March 19, 2015, by consensus between all Member States of the Hague Conference on Private International Law, including India, which has been a Member State since March 13, 2008. The chapter then demonstrates that the Hague Principles have real potential to assist in the interpretation, supplementation, and development of Indian private international law of contract.

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