Thesis (doctoral)--Universität, Münster, 2004. / Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (doctoral) - Universität, Münster, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (doctoral)--Universitat, Munster, 2004. / Title from e-book title screen (viewed January 2, 2008). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (doctoral) - Universität, Münster, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references.

This diploma thesis deals with specificity of the position of an entrepreneur in concluding business contracts. Entrepreneur is mainly viewed as a professional with presumed substantial advantage over non-business parties, especially over consumers. This fact corresponds to his lower level of legal protection, whilst he is obliged to obey higher level of duties and to withstand more limitation in his relationship towards non-business parties, including when he is contracting with them. However, there are some protecting rules in favour of the entrepreneur; these are considered in this work as well. Such rules reflect plain reality, in which the entrepreneur might be in fact the weaker party. Right after definition of fundamental terms, as business law, business contract and entrepreneur are, is further attention aimed to specific legal instruments, some of which are novelty to the Czech legal system. These are pre- contractual negotiation, pre-contractual liability and legal documents used in context with them, esp. in the B2B relationship. Next topic is concluding contracts of adhesion, and position of the entrepreneur as the weaker party. Following chapter is dedicated to deviations from general rules of contracting, namely to modified acceptance of an offer, business confirmation letter and legal...

O estudo analisa e sistematiza tecnicamente a atuação dos usos negociais não só enquanto pautas interpretativa e integrativa dos contratos empresariais como, também, especificamente, um elemento objetivo formador de obrigações contratuais empresariais em decorrência da repetição de condutas negociais, daqueles que exercem a empresa, praticadas habitualmente, com intuito de padronizar as relações, de reforçar a confiança e de estabilizar as expectativas. A pesquisa tem como objetivo estudar os usos negociais, diferenciando-o dos demais relevantes elementos consuetudinários, abordando o seu conteúdo e o seu alcance no processo contratual empresarial. Serão identificadas e analisadas as funções desempenhadas pelos usos negociais nos seus diferentes papéis – hermenêutico, integrador e normativo – ainda que não se possa, em variadas situações, categorizá-los a priori em apenas uma dessas dimensões. O objetivo específico deste estudo é investigar a extensão e a relevância da atuação dos usos negociais em relação aos contratos, em especial no contexto empresarial, buscando investigar eventuais critérios para a aferição de juridicidade vinculante ao poder normativo social. Mesmo diante do princípio constitucional da reserva legal, vigente no ordenamento jurídico brasileiro, o trabalho revela as vantagens e até mesmo a necessidade da (re)valorização dos usos negociais, os quais podem, inclusive, predominar – ainda que apenas materialmente – à lei, em determinadas situações, sem, contudo, descurar da primazia da intenção das partes. / This study analyzes and technically systematizes the trade usage practices not only as an interpretative and integrative guideline of business contracts, but also specifically as an objective element that shapes business contractual obligations as a result of the repetition of business conducts by those who run the company in order to standardize relations, strengthen trust and stabilize expectations. The research aims to study the concepts of the most relevant customary institutes, addressing their content and their scope in the formation, development and compliance of business contracts, as well as to explore what the functions of trade usages are in their different roles - hermeneutic, integrative and normative - although it is not possible, in various situations, to categorize them a priori in only one of these dimensions. The specific objective of this study is to investigate the extent and relevance of the trade usage practices in relation to contracts, especially in the business context, seeking to investigate any criteria to measure the legality binding on social regulatory power. Even in view of the constitutional principle of the legal reserve, in force in the Brazilian legal system, the work reveals the advantages and even the need for trade usage (re)valorization, which may even predominate - albeit only materially - to the law in certain situations, without however neglecting the primacy of the parties' intention.

Cœur d’un secteur tertiaire à l’influence économique majeure, les prestations de services souffrent pourtant incontestablement d’un manque de repères juridiques. Ainsi, en dépit de leur impact sur le quotidien des individus, des entreprises et des collectivités, le droit ne s’est que peu intéressé au sens même des services et ce, qu’ils soient rémunérés ou non. Dans la première hypothèse, la notion est même ignorée puisqu’il revient à des « mécanisme-tampon » historiques, contrat d’entreprise et mandat notamment, d’assurer l’intégration juridique de ces opérations. Par conséquent, exceptions faites des quelques frémissements observés en droit interne ou supranational, les éléments permettant l’acception des prestations de services se font rares. Il a de ce fait paru nécessaire d’en élaborer une définition apte à en faire ressortir la substance. Celle-ci est dominée par l’activité et fondée sur l’obligation latine aujourd’hui délaissée (car méconnue) de praestare (fournir). Exécuter une prestation de services c’est fournir son activité à autrui, la mettre à sa disposition en vue d’un résultat déterminé. C’est donc créer un lien entre des personnes (prestataire – bénéficiaire), construit sur un objet (l’activité) et tourné vers une finalité (le résultat). Mais ce lien semble en question dès lors qu’est introduit un élément particulier : la gratuité. Appréciée mais suspecte, crainte au moins autant qu’elle n’est attractive, celle-ci n’a bénéficié que d’une considération juridique limitée naissant de son anormalité présumée. Ainsi, donner ou agir sans contrepartie a toujours été dédaigné ou pire, mal vu. Dans l’ombre de l’onéreux, et partant, de la contrepartie dans le Code civil, l’opération altruiste a donc du se contenter d’une exposition juridique minimale. Lorsqu’il s’agit de s’intéresser aux situations d’assistance (entraide et secours-sauvetage, aide bénévole à autrui), le droit civil, par l’intermédiaire de sa jurisprudence, se montre hésitant et peine à trouver une réponse adaptée à ces actes désintéressés. La matière doit par conséquent être gagnée par un changement de philosophie et par une évolution des moyens. Le droit civil doit s’évertuer à changer son regard sur l’assistance en passant d’une vision mono-centrée a posteriori (gestion des conséquences / responsabilité) à une conception diversifiée a priori (détermination de natures et de régimes adaptés). Le législateur pourrait à cette fin mettre à disposition des juges des instruments originaux, les contrat et quasi-contrats de prestation de services gratuites, sources potentielles de nouvel équilibre entre les intérêts en présence et de cohabitation harmonieuse de la gratuité et des prestations de services en droit civil. / Heart of the tertiary sector which has major influence on modern economy, service delivery undoubtedly suffers from a lack of legal guidance. Thus, despite the impact of services on the lives of individuals, businesses and communities, the law has only limited interest in their meaning, whether paid or unpaid. In the first case, the concept is even ignored since it falls to "buffer mechanisms", contrat d’entreprise (service contract) and mandat (mandatum/mandate) in particular, to ensure the legal integration of these operations. Except for a few tremors observed in domestic law or supranational law, elements for a definition of services are rare. It therefore seemed necessary to bring out a suitable one. It is dominated by the activity and based on the latin obligation now abandoned of praestare (provide). Service delivery is matter of activity, provided for achieving a defined objective. It’s a link between people (provider - recipient), built on an object (the activity) and turned towards a fixed purpose (the result). But the legal nature of the link created is at issue when it comes to gratuity. Appreciated but suspect, at least as much feared that it is attractive, the latter has received only limited legal consideration. Give or take action without consideration has been scorned or worse, frowned upon. In the shadow of the consideration in the Civil Code, altruistic operations have had to settle for a minimum of legal exposure. While their existence on a daily basis is indisputable (assistance between people), their few common legal areas of expression have been shrunk (decline of gratuity in mandate and deposit) or are contested by the notion of interest which appears in various forms (marine rescue, entraide agricole (agricultural mutual support)). Moreover, when it comes to interest in situations of assistance (mutual aid and emergency-rescue volunteer help to others), civil law, through its jurisprudence, appears hesitant and struggles to find an appropriate response to these selfless acts.Thus, civil law must strive to change its philosophy and means. Change his view of assistance by moving from a mono-centric afterwards vision (civil liability) to a diversified a priori conception (determination of appropriate types and legal frameworks). The legislator should provide the judges original instruments, free service delivery contract and quasi-contracts, potential sources of a new balance between provider and recipient, as well as harmonious coexistence of gratuity and services in civil law.

A l’heure d’une évaluation constante de la vie internationale des affaires, le droit des affaires est devenu un puissant instrument de croissance économique et d’attractivité des investissements. Dans ce contexte, le droit uniforme africain des affaires est un droit ambitieux qui fait rêver l’Afrique. Fort de ses atouts, le droit OHADA se veut attractif et compétitif sur le marché mondial du droit devenu hautement concurrentiel, afin d’attirer les investisseurs étrangers et consolider les investissements nationaux, en facilitant et en sécurisant les opérations d’échange et d’investissement. Pour autant, en dépit d’une volonté forte et d’un choix pleinement assumé de faire du droit uniforme une sorte de synthèse de plusieurs systèmes juridiques, au terme de plus de deux décennies de vie juridique, les résultats sont encore loin des espérances. Qu’il s’agisse de la promotion du droit africain de l’arbitrage en matière des différends d’affaires ou de l’essor des investissements étrangers sur lesquels l’OHADA a fondé d’immenses espoirs, le droit uniforme des contrats d’affaires connaît un succès mitigé. Mieux, il voit son horizon s’obscurcir. Ces constats suscitent une problématique fondamentale inhérente aux piliers du temple contractuel OHADA. A travers le prisme du traitement des contrats d’affaires, il est alors permis de s’interroger sur l’aptitude du droit uniforme à réellement faciliter la pratique des affaires, en assurant la sécurité et l’efficacité des contrats d’affaires : le droit OHADA répond-il théoriquement et empiriquement aux problématiques contractuelles contemporaines de la vie africaine des affaires ? Certains concepts juridiques classiques ne mériteraient-ils pas aujourd’hui d’être repensés autrement en droit africain des affaires ? En mettant en exergue ses atouts, ses insuffisances et ses crises actuelles, à travers une approche critique, prospective et comparée, l’analyse du traitement des contrats d’affaires vise à repenser profondément la codification africaine du droit des affaires. / In today's context of constant assessment of international corporate life, corporate law has become a powerful instrument of the economic growth and investment efficiency. In this context, cohesive African corporate law is an ambitious regulation which is inspiring for Africa. Building on its strenghts, OHADA law is meant to be attractive and competitive on the now very competitive global law market, in order to attract foreign investors and strengthen national investments by facilitating and securing exchange and investment operations.Nonetheless, despite strong will and a fully assumed choice to make cohesive law a sort of synthesis of several legal systems, after two decades of existence outcomes remain far from expectations. Whether regarding the promotion of African arbitration law on business disputes or the rise of foreign investment on which the OHADA had high hopes, cohesive business contract law achieves limited success. Moreover, it sees its horizon darkened.These findings elicit a fundamental issue inherent to the pillars of the OHADA contractual temple. Through the prism of business contract processing, one may legitimately question the ability of cohesive law to actually facilitate the course of business, by assuring the security and efficiency of these contracts: does OHADA law theoretically and empirically address contemporary contractual issues inherent to African business life? Should some traditional legal concepts be reconsidered nowadays in African corporate law?By emphasising its strengths, weaknesses and current turmoil, via a critical, prospective and compared approach, the analysis of business contract processing aims to thoroughly rethink the African codification of law.

A cláusula de limitação de responsabilidade é a estipulação pela qual as partes de um contrato decidem estabelecer um limite ao efeito indenizatório da responsabilidade, seja por meio da escolhe de um valor máximo, seja por meio da alteração das regras supletivas do regime legal. No Brasil, essa cláusula não possui previsão legal específica, porém, em razão de sua frequência na prática, faz-se necessário o estabelecimento de critérios para a determinação da extensão e dos limites que devem ser observados para que sejam válidas e produzam os efeitos buscados pelos contraentes. Este trabalho exclui da análise os contratos de adesão e os contratos firmados no âmbito das relações de consumo. Também, não se analisa a cláusula de afastamento integral da responsabilidade (a chamada cláusula de exoneração da responsabilidade). A fim de determinar tais critérios, partiu-se dos limites impostos à autonomia privada em geral – ordem pública e normas cogentes – e dos critérios citados pela doutrina e pela jurisprudência, específicos à cláusula limitativa, quais sejam, o dolo, a culpa grave e o inadimplemento da obrigação principal. Assim, com o objetivo de tornar cada mais clara a incidência de cada uma dessas balizas e, em especial, afastando-se a invalidade/ineficácia automática da cláusula em casos de inadimplemento da obrigação principal, buscou-se delinear como a cláusula interage com a regulação contratual de interesses e com a apuração do montante indenizatório, por meio da análise da composição da indenização. / The limitation of liability clause is the stipulation by which the parties to a contract decide to establish a limit to the indemnifying effect of liability, either by choosing a maximum amount or by changing the rules of the legal regime. In Brazil, this clause does not have specific legal provisions, but because of its frequency in practice, it is necessary to establish the criteria for determining the extent and limits that should be observed for it to be valid and produce the effects sought by the parties. This study excludes from the analysis the adhesion contracts and the contracts signed in the scope of consumer relationships. Neither the exclusion of liability clause is analyzed. In order to determine such criteria, this dissertation starts from the limits imposed on party autonomy in general – public order and cogent norms - and proceeds to the criteria mentioned by doctrine and case law, specific to the limitation clause, namely, willful misconduct and the default of the fundamental term. Thus, to clarify the incidence of each of these limits and, in particular, to remove the automatic invalidity/ineffectiveness of the clause in cases of default of the fundamental term of a contract, this work delineates how the clause interacts with the contractual regulation of interests and with the determination of the indemnity amount, through the analysis of the composition of the indemnification.

O presente trabalho examina a teoria da quebra eficiente do contrato, oriunda do direito anglo-saxão, segundo a qual, sinteticamente, um contrato só será cumprido se os custos para adimplir a obrigação forem inferiores àqueles incorridos pelo descumprimento, admitindo-se, portanto, o inadimplemento voluntário dos contratos. O objetivo é, além de apresentar a teoria, verificar a possibilidade de aplicação da mesma no Brasil, com enfoque especial nos contratos empresariais. Para tanto, o trabalho é estruturado em introdução, quatro capítulos de desenvolvimento e encerra com a conclusão. Superada a introdução, que apresenta mais profundamente as razões que levaram à pesquisa sobre o tema, o capítulo 2 versa acerca dos paradigmas clássicos de responsabilidade contratual, com destaque às modalidades de extinção do contrato sem a consecução do seu objeto bem como às regras indenizatórias aplicáveis nestes casos, em que se busca cotejá-las com o entendimento jurisprudencial. A seguir, o capítulo 3 traz as premissas teóricas da Law and Economics focadas no Direito dos Contratos necessárias à compreensão, no capítulo seguinte, da teoria da quebra eficiente do contrato, que representa o tema central do presente estudo. Neste capítulo 4 será feita uma abordagem teórica e prática da teoria sob exame, apontando sua origem histórica, desenvolvimento e aceitação do paradigma, identificando os requisitos para sua aplicação, potenciais barreiras e também as críticas doutrinárias para, em seguida, delinear o que seria o cenário ideal para sua aplicação, bem como um tópico dedicado exclusivamente à sua abordagem prática e metodologia, indicando os elementos que devem ser sopesados antes de se tomar a decisão de romper um contrato. No capítulo 5, verifica-se quais requisitos são aceitos, as efetivas barreiras e como elas podem ser superadas para autorizar a sua incidência no Brasil, tanto os de caráter jurídico como os extralegais. Para o fechamento, o último capítulo apresenta as conclusões alcançadas através da pesquisa, indicando pontos relevantes sobre a teoria da quebra eficiente e respondendo ao principal questionamento cuja resposta era almejada, se é possível aplicar a teoria no Brasil, sob quais circunstâncias e em qual extensão. / The current paper examines the efficient breach theory of contracts, from the Anglo-Saxon law origin, according to which, briefly, a contract will only be performed if the costs for performance of the obligation are lower than those incurred for non-performance, admitting, therefore, intentional breach of contract. The goal is, in addition to presenting the theory, check the possibility of applying it in Brazil, focusing mostly on business contracts. Therefore, the work is structured into introduction, four chapters of development and ends with the conclusion. Surpassed the introduction, which explains more deeply the reasons that led to research on the topic, chapter 2 examines the classical paradigms of contractual liability, especially to terminate the contract without achieving its object as well as the applicable indemnity rules in these cases, seeking to compare them with the jurisprudential understanding. Following, chapter 3 provides the theoretical premises of Law and Economics focused on the Law of Contracts necessary to understand, in the next chapter, the efficient breach theory, which is the central theme of this study. In chapter 4 a theoretical and practical approach of the theory under examination will be addressed with its historical origin, development and acceptance of the paradigm, identifying the requirements for its application, potential barriers and also the criticism it has faced to, then, outline what would be the ideal scenario for its application as well as a topic dedicated exclusively to its practical approach and methodology, pointing the elements that should be weighed before deciding to breach a contract. In chapter 5, it is shown the which requirements are accepted, the actual barriers and how they can be surpassed to permit its incidence in Brazil, both legal and non-legal. For closure, the last chapter presents the conclusions reached through the research, indicating the relevant points on the theory of efficient breach and responding to the main question of which answer was longed for, whether it is possible to apply the theory in Brazil, under what circumstances and to what extent.