This dissertation deals with how the subject matter of performance under a contract for work is defined and issues related to formulating the rights and obligations ensuing therefrom. At the same time, it seeks common legal sources existing across national laws which provide definitions thereof. It attempts to find a common definition of contracts for work and how they differ from other similar contracts. It further defines some common basic features and problems related to contracts for work which apply in international trade or in cases where parties decide to formulate their contract by reference to international contract conditions. In that context, it primarily refers to construction contracts as the most common type of contract for work in international trade. At the same time, it focuses on the possible consequences of a breach of contract and emphasizes some parties' claims ensuing therefrom. Moreover, this work examines the definition of work defects and conditions for asserting claims as a specific topic, which relates to the definition of the subject matter of a contract for work and its basic features. Key words: contract for work, construction work, contractor, employer, international trade, sources for determining obligations, international contract conditions, subject matter of...

Le choix de compétences dans le contrat de travail international, permet une véritable valorisation du rôle de la volonté des parties dans l'insertion des clauses contractuelles désignant la compétence d'une loi ou d'un juge, étatique ou privé. Des conditions de fond et de forme sont exigées pour l'admissibilité de cette dérogation volontaire à la compétence naturelle des règles applicables. Mais, le déséquilibre qui caractérise la relation de travail, exige un encadrement stricte de ce choix par des mécanismes protecteurs de la partie faible. L'intervention des règles impératives du lieu de l'exécution habituelle du travail permet d'atteindre cet objectif par l'application, soit d'un critère de faveur qui consiste à appliquer la loi la plus favorable pour le salarié, soit à mettre en œuvre un critère de proximité qui permet d'appliquer la loi qui entretient les liens les plus étroits avec la situation litigieuse. / In international contracts of employment, the parties’ will is significantly enhanced by the choice of competences through the insertion of clauses referring to the competent law or competent judge (private or public). But the eligibility for this voluntary exemption to applicable natural competences requires formal and substantial conditions. Indeed, the disequilibrium that inherently characterizes the employment relationship calls for a strict scrutiny. Assuring the choice made by the weaker thus necessitates protective mechanisms. The intervention of mandatory rules of the place where the employee habitually carries out his work allows the achievement of the aforementioned objective. This is done so by the application of two alternative criteria, in either the law that is the most favourable law to his interests or the law that is most closely connected to the particular situation.