European Private Law: A Plea for a Spontaneous Legal Order

EUROPEAN INTEGRATION AND LAW, Deirdre M. Curtin, Jan M. Smits et al, Antwerpen-Oxford, pp. 55-107, 2006

Maastricht University Faculty of Law Working Paper No. 2006-03

51 Pages Posted: 24 Apr 2006 Last revised: 14 Apr 2011

See all articles by Jan M. Smits

Jan M. Smits

Maastricht University Faculty of Law

Date Written: April 1, 2006

Abstract

This contribution focuses on European integration through private law. After a sketch of the existing European acquis in the field of the law of contract, tort and property, the question is discussed whether there is a need for harmonisation in view of the goals the European Union set itself. Subsequently, the question of how to design a future European private law is answered. In the field of contract law, the European Commission now follows a two-track policy: it intends to draft a 'Common Frame of Reference' ('CFR') as well as furthering the debate on the possibility of an optional code. It is debated what the contents of these two instruments should be and how they should be created, but also the more fundamental question as to whether they will really contribute to the solving of the present problems with the European acquis is touched upon. Finally, the influence of 'Europe' on national private law is looked at from a critical perspective. The author adopts the view that uniform private law should come about in a Hayekian way of a spontaneous legal order.

Keywords: European integration, contract law, spontaneous order

JEL Classification: K12, K00

Suggested Citation

Smits, Jan M., European Private Law: A Plea for a Spontaneous Legal Order (April 1, 2006). EUROPEAN INTEGRATION AND LAW, Deirdre M. Curtin, Jan M. Smits et al, Antwerpen-Oxford, pp. 55-107, 2006, Maastricht University Faculty of Law Working Paper No. 2006-03, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=897478

Jan M. Smits (Contact Author)

Maastricht University Faculty of Law ( email )

P.O. Box 616
Maastricht, NL-6200 MD
Netherlands

HOME PAGE: http://www.jansmits.eu

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