26 August 2010
The current state of the economy means that businesses and consumers are more likely to widen their search for trade and opportunities. The internet has shown us that we are all world traders to some extent or other. Recognising this and the issues created by the different legal systems within the European Union, the European Commission has set up an Expert Group to study the feasibility of a user-friendly European Contract Law.
The Commission’s aim is to enable citizens to take full advantage of the internal market within the European Union. Currently, it is perceived that disadvantages exist due to the differences between the laws of the member nations which can create additional costs and legal issues when trading across different legal systems.
The Commission has published a Green Paper setting out their policy options for consultation in making progress towards a European Contract Law for consumers and businesses. The Commission will be evaluating the results of the consultation following on the Green Paper and could propose further action by 2012.
Meantime, commerce carries on and on an ever-increasingly global basis. Through its membership of Mackrell International, bto is in regular contact with legal firms around the world. We work with these firms, both for their clients from other jurisdictions with interests in Scotland and for our own clients with global interests.