Commercial Agency And Distribution Agreements Law And Practice Of The Member States Of The European Union

This authoritative, practical reference describes the law of the European Union relating to commercial activity, distribution and franchising, together with a comparative analysis of law of the 15 member states, Switzerland and Norway.

This book contains interesting reports prepared in view of a conference organized by the Faculty of Law of the Rijksuniversiteit Limburg at Maastricht on the occasion of its tenth anniversary, in September 1991. The objective of the conference 'Legal Education in the Future' was to discuss whether one should develop a 'European Law School', in which the 'ius commune Europaeum' would replace the national legal system as the central element of the curriculum. In all European countries, at present, law & the teaching of law tend to focus on national concerns. Comparative law is mostly concerned in emphasizing the differences between legal systems, & less in searching for common roots & principles. The conference participants were invited to examine the intellectual resources that might allow for a re-direction of the emphasis, towards the teaching of common rules & principles in a 'European Law School' accessible to students of all countries & leading to transnational professional careers. Some of the interesting contributions in this book explain the ambitions & lingering doubts about a European legal eduction. Other contributions have, by their enthusiasm & thoughtfulness, helped chart the way to the future. The following areas of law are discussed: public law, private law, company & economic law, criminal law, labour & social law, & social & scientific views.

This new Second Edition of the acclaimed & successful work, originally produced by the EEC Law Commission of the Association internationale des jeunes avocats (A.I.J.A.), has now been thoroughly revised, updated, & also expanded to include EFTA countries. An assessment of EEC (and in turn the situation pertaining to EFTA states) law & jurisprudence as it affects agency, distribution & franchising agreements is made at the outset. There then follows a detailed comparative analysis of the different national legal regimes (country by country) governing such arrangements within the EC & EFTA states, & an explanation of the extent to which EC law & practice is or may already be applicable to them. The systematic & thorough research presented in this text is structured to facilitate cross reference & comparison, & supplemented by case law & legislative references. The authors are practitioners of law who are frequently involved in the field of commercial agency & distribution agreements in the twelve member states, & members of the Association internationale des jeunes avocats (A.I.J.A.).

In this enriched new edition of a proven, indispensable practical guide to the drafting and negotiating of agency, distribution, and franchising agreements, the contributors have all updated their country reports with recent cases and commentary and an abundance of new sample clauses and other practical features. In addition, four major jurisdictions – Brazil, England, Japan, and the United States – have been added, bringing the total number of country reports to nineteen. The first edition is well known among commercial law practitioners as the preeminent hands-on guide to drafting effective distribution agreements tailored specifically to countries in which foreign direct investment is a major component of the economy. Local experts provide detailed information on specific applicable law, major current case law, drafting guidance with specific clauses, and official English versions of relevant primary material. Case law summaries clearly expose the issues from which disputes arise, – and the financial consequences of those disputes – and the practical discussion includes sample clauses designed to anticipate those issues and avoid the pitfalls to which they often lead. The enormous day-to-day usefulness of this book will be self-evident to corporate counsel and other lawyers negotiating international commercial distribution agreements. Legal scholars as well will welcome the book’s comparative study of applicable law on commercial contracts in a wide variety of national jurisdictions.

The Hague Agency Convention is of great importance for every lawyer involved (or interested) in international business and finance. Its provisions become relevant whenever one is dealing with agency relationships in the broadest sense in an international context. Its scope is not confined to the `traditional' commercial agency relationships between principals and their agents, but extends to many other situations where agency takes place, both directly and indirectly. The rules of the Convention are applied to find the laws governing both the internal and external agency relationships in all areas of international business and finance. The Convention has currently been ratified by four states (the Netherlands, France, Portugal and Argentina), but several countries have enacted legislation inspired by it, for the interpretation of which the Convention may have significance. Moreover, now that it has entered into force (in 1992), it is not unlikely that it will be ratified by more states. Agency in Private International Law presents a detailed analysis of the Convention, with references to the laws of various jurisdictions. References to legal systems other than that of the Netherlands have been checked by local lawyers.

The Second Edition of this work, originally produced by the EEC Law Commission of the Association Internationale des Jeunes Avocats (A.I.J.A.), has been thoroughly revised, updated, and also expanded to include EFTA countries.

The new edition of EU Distribution Law, published six years after the previous edition, is concerned with the competition rules prohibiting anti-competitive agreements and behaviour affecting trade between Member States, and the special rules which protect commercial agents. Under EU law such anti-competitive agreements may be void and substantial fines imposed and liability in damages may result. To minimise their risk companies and their advisers must therefore understand the current rules and exemptions. In 2010 fully revised EU legislation and guidelines governing distribution and supply agreements came into effect. New features include an increased focus on powerful buyers and on internet sales, and there is also a more generous approach to resale price maintenance. [At the same time the special regime for the motor vehicle sector was significantly amended.] The European Commission, as well as national courts and competition authorities, actively apply EU competition rules in this area, so companies need to take the new rules fully into account. Furthermore, the continuing enlargement of the EU, most recently in 2007 to 27 Member States, and the ever-expanding case law of the European courts, means that EU law has an ever wider and more pronounced impact. This comprehensively rewritten and updated new edition of a well-known text combines expert commentary with clear, practical advice on the law affecting distribution agreements, exclusive supply, purchase agreements, franchising, agency and selective distribution. This book will be essential reading for commercial and competition lawyers, and the legal departments of manufacturers, suppliers, distributors and retailers currently trading or intending to trade within the European Union.