Some Thoughts on the Methodological Approach to EC Consumer Law Reform

Abstract:     
The reform of the Consumer Acquis is underway. In this paper, I aim to contribute to the current debate by focusing upon methodological questions. In particular, I claim that - in order to understand the current problems in consumer protection - comparative private scholarship needs to broaden its horizon and develop a dialogue with public law scholars involved in the field of New Governance. I propose to rely on a methodology that I call the “hybrid approach,” a method that could bridge the current divide between private and public lawyers. I also stress the need to focus on comparative studies, an approach which promises to deliver helpful guidelines to solve the problem of the federalization of EC Consumer Contract Law.

Keywords: EC consumer law, consumer acquis, consumer contract law, new governance

Accepted Paper Series