Consumer Supplier Relations, Regulation and Essential Contract Theory

Austen-Baker, Richard Lindsay Peregrine St.John

Abstract

Consumer Supplier Relations, Regulation and Essential Contract Theory

Richard Lindsay Peregrine St.John Austen-Baker

Lancaster University Law School

July 23, 2008

Journal of Contract Law, Vol. 24, pp. 60-76, 2008

Abstract:
This article interrogates certain presuppositions of consumer law and policy discourse, chiefly through the lens of Macneil's 'essential contract theory,' in particular his proposed contract norms. Three presuppositions are posited and then discussed in turn. The author concludes that the presuppositions are unjustified and, in so far as they are held in fact, present a risk of distortion in debating contract law reform.

Keywords: Contracts, contract theory, relational contract theory, essential contract theory, Ian Macneil, consumer law

JEL Classification: K12

Accepted Paper Series

Date posted: June 23, 2009

Suggested Citation

Austen-Baker, Richard Lindsay Peregrine St.John, Consumer Supplier Relations, Regulation and Essential Contract Theory (July 23, 2008). Journal of Contract Law, Vol. 24, pp. 60-76, 2008. Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1424474

Contact Information

Richard Lindsay Peregrine St.John Austen-Baker (Contact Author)

Lancaster University Law School ( email )

Lancaster LA1 4YX
United Kingdom
01524 594757 (Phone)