Suchergebnisse

Abstract
Each of the two parts of Peter Benson's stimulating book raises an important epistemological question. In the first part, the aim is to search for the "true" theory of contract, the one that best explains the rules and doctrines of general contract law. In the second part, the author seeks to convince that his theory is the best one, in the sense that it is the one that provides the most appropriate moral basis in a liberal democratic society; in other words, the one that allows the greatest "justice" in transactions. A third formidable epistemological question then arises: whether "truth" and "justice" are identical.

La personnalisation juridique de la nature, souvent invoquée comme solution aux problèmes écologiques, peut être un outil intéressant, à la condition de comprendre son mécanisme et ses fonctions. De nombreuses personnes morales existent en réalité déjà en la matière, qu'elles soient de droit privé (par exemple des associations de protection de l'environnement) ou de droit public (par exemple des établissements publics chargés de la gestion d'un parc national). Il serait possible d'aller un peu plus loin encore, mais prétendre que ce sont directement les éléments de la nature qui « ont » la personnalité juridique ne peut être que contre-productif et conduire au contraire à des effets de déresponsabilisation.

AbstractThe recent reform of French law of contract consecrates and indeed reinforces those mechanisms designed to protect weaker parties that had been recognized progressively by the courts. This is not to say that the brief for contractual justice is now exhausted. Many questions have arisen that are not dealt with by the new legislation, but nor are they by the law of other Member States of the European Union, or indeed by the Common Frame of Reference. Three examples of contemporary problems that contract lawyers should address, are discussed here: access to vital goods and services to persons; the quality of goods and services provided under the contract; and the production process of these goods and services. On these three points, proposals are made which might serve as a basis for a new manifesto for social justice in European contract law.