<p>The United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods 1980 (CISG) seeks to provide a standard uniform law for international sales contracts. This research paper analyses the rationale behind South Africa&rsquo / s delay in deciding whether to ratify the CISG, and its possible effect on trade with other nations. The CISG drafters hoped that uniformity would&nbsp / remove barriers to international sales thereby facilitating international trade. Ratification of the convention is only the beginning of uniformity / uniformity must then be extended to its application&nbsp / and interpretation. Not all countries have ratified the Convention yet they engage in international trade in goods: this state of affairs presents challenges since traders have to choose a national&nbsp / law that applies to their contract where CISG does not apply. This takes traders back to the undesirable pre-CISG era. On the other hand, those States that have ratified the convention face&nbsp / different challenges, the biggest one being a lack of uniformity in its interpretation. The problem of differing interpretations arises because some CISG Articles are vague leading to varied&nbsp / interpretations by national courts. Further, the CISG is still largely misunderstood and some traders from States that have ratified CISG exclude it from application. South Africa can only ratify an&nbsp / international instrument such as the CISG, after it has been tabled before Parliament, and debated upon in accordance with the Constitution. CISG&rsquo / s shortcomings, particularly regarding&nbsp / interpretation, make it far from certain that CISG would pass the rigorous&nbsp / legislative process. Nonetheless, the Constitution of South Africa requires the South African courts and legislature to promote principles of international law. The paper, therefore, examines, whether the Legislature has a constitutional obligation to ratify CISG. South Africa&rsquo / s membership of the WTO requires&nbsp / that it promote international trade by removing trade barriers. It is, therefore, vital for South Africa to be seen to be actively facilitating international trade. Even though the trade benefits which&nbsp / flow from ratification are not always visible in States that have ratified the CISG, there is some doubt whether South Africa can sustain its trade relations without ratifying the CISG. The paper shows that the formation&nbsp / of contracts under the South African common law is very similar to formation as set out under Part II of the CISG and if the CISG were to be adopted in South Africa, no major changes would be&nbsp / needed in this regard. International commercial&nbsp / principles as an alternative to the CISG still require a domestic law to govern the contract and would, therefore, leave South African traders in the&nbsp / same position they are in currently, where their trading relations are often governed by foreign laws. Ratifying CISG would certainly simplify contract negotiations particularly with regard to&nbsp / governing law provisions. Overall the advantages of ratification for South Africa far outweigh the shortcomings of the CISG, and ratification will assist in ensuring that South African traders get an&nbsp / opportunity to enter the international trade arena on an equal platform with traders from other nations. </p>

Magister Legum - LLM / The United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods 1980 (CISG) seeks to provide a standard uniform law for international sales contracts. This research paper analyses the rationale behind South Africa’s delay in deciding whether to ratify the CISG, and its possible effect on trade with other nations. The CISG drafters hoped that uniformity would remove barriers to international sales thereby facilitating international trade. Ratification of the convention is only the beginning of uniformity; uniformity must then be extended to its application and interpretation. Not all countries have ratified the Convention yet they engage in international trade in goods: this state of affairs presents challenges since traders have to choose a national law that applies to their contract where CISG does not apply. This takes traders back to the undesirable pre-CISG era. On the other hand, those States that have ratified the convention face different challenges, the biggest one being a lack of uniformity in its interpretation. The problem of differing interpretations arises because some CISG Articles are vague leading to varied interpretations by national courts. Further, the CISG is still largely misunderstood and some traders from States that have ratified CISG exclude it from application. South Africa can only ratify an international instrument such as the CISG, after it has been tabled before Parliament, and debated upon in accordance with the Constitution. CISG’s shortcomings, particularly regarding interpretation, make it far from certain that CISG would pass the rigorous legislative process. Nonetheless, the Constitution of South Africa requires the South African courts and legislature to promote principles of international law. The paper, therefore, examines, whether the Legislature has a constitutional obligation to ratify CISG. South Africa’s membership of the WTO requires that it promote international trade by removing trade barriers. It is, therefore, vital for South Africa to be seen to be actively facilitating international trade. Even though the trade benefits which flow from ratification are not always visible in States that have ratified the CISG, there is some doubt whether South Africa can sustain its trade relations without ratifying the CISG. The paper shows that the formation of contracts under the South African common law is very similar to formation as set out under Part II of the CISG and if the CISG were to be adopted in South Africa, no major changes would be needed in this regard. International commercial principles as an alternative to the CISG still require a domestic law to govern the contract and would, therefore, leave South African traders in the same position they are in currently, where their trading relations are often governed by foreign laws. Ratifying CISG would certainly simplify contract negotiations particularly with regard to governing law provisions. Overall the advantages of ratification for South Africa far outweigh the shortcomings of the CISG, and ratification will assist in ensuring that South African traders get an opportunity to enter the international trade arena on an equal platform with traders from other nations. / South Africa

O presente estudo pretende analisar a CISG a partir de sua dimensão publicista, resultando na sua identificação como aliada do Estado na efetivação dos objetivos da CF, descritos no art. 3º, I, construir uma sociedade livre, justa e solidária, e na promoção do seu desenvolvimento. Estudá-la como tratado permite compreendê-la como parte de um movimento transformador da atual sociedade internacional. Ressalte-se o fato de a maioria dos trabalhos concentrar-se no seu aspecto privatista, conferindo importância à presente pesquisa. Esta tem início na análise do seu preâmbulo, contendo seu espírito e objetivos, para então adentrar em sua parte dispositiva, examinando-se os obstáculos à harmonização, bem como os instrumentos para superá-los, destacando-se o art. 7º como guia interpretativo e a utilização da CISG em âmbito estatal. Nesse ponto, analisam-se os efeitos de sua incorporação interna, refletindo em sua adoção nos procedimentos licitatórios, pois, como parte do ordenamento interno, passa a ter natureza de lei ordinária, idêntica à Lei de Licitações A pesquisa apontou ser a CISG aliada do Estado na consecução dos objetivos constitucionais, refletindo sua utilização na promoção do bem comum e no desenvolvimento da sociedade. Ademais, a adesão do Brasil produz na parte estrangeira a legítima expectativa de que os contratos administrativos serão por ela regulados, reflexo do compromisso internacional assumido pelo país, sendo a CISG afastada nos seus próprios termos previstos para tal situação. A pesquisa revelou também sua consolidação como um dos documentos de maior alcance transfronteiriço, chegando a harmonizar, de forma bem sucedida, os sistemas de civil law e common law, sedimentando a existência de uma ordem internacional e flexibilizando a tradicional formação da normas unicamente pelo ente soberano. Ainda, efetiva as intenções previstas no preâmbulo, aproximando países e promovendo direitos mediante uma lei uniforme para a compra e venda internacional de mercadorias. / The present study intends to analyze the CISG from its publicist dimension, resulting in its identification as an ally of the State in the accomplishment of the objectives of the CF, described in art. 3, I, to build a free, fair and supportive society, and to promote its development. Studying it as a treaty enables it to be understood as part of a transformative movement in today's international society. It should be emphasized that most of the works focus on its private aspect, what gives an importance to the present research. It begins with an analysis of its preamble, containing its spirit and objectives, to focus in its operative part, examining the obstacles to harmonization, as well as the instruments to overcome them, highlighting art. 7 as an interpretive guide and the use of the CISG at the state level. At this point, the effects of its internal incorporation are analyzed, reflected in its adoption in the bidding procedures, since, as part of the internal order, it is now an ordinary law, identical to the Bidding Law The research pointed the CISG to be allied to the State in achieving the constitutional objectives, reflecting its use in promoting the common good and the development of society. In addition, the adhesion of Brazil produces in the foreign part the legitimate expectation that the administrative contracts will be regulated by it, a reflection of the international commitment assumed by the country, being the CISG removed in its own terms predicted for such situation. The research also revealed its consolidation as one of the most cross-border documents, successfully harmonizing the civil law and common law systems, consolidating the existence of an international order and being able to flexibilize the traditional formation of the norm only by the entity sovereign. It also makes the intentions of the preamble effective, approaching countries and promoting rights through the creation of a uniform law for the international sale of goods.

Esta dissertação analisa a recepção do duty to mitigate the loss pelo Direito Civil brasileiro. Instituto com maior desenvolvimento nos países que adotam o sistema da common law, preceitua que a inobservância da mitigação pelo credor em face de um inadimplemento, seja evitando ou minimizando o prejuízo, faz com que ele não seja ressarcido do dano sofrido, pois referida conduta estava ao seu alcance. O estudo faz a contraposição dos conceitos de dever jurídico e ônus, extraindo-se a natureza jurídica do duty to mitigate the loss a partir da boa-fé. Posteriormente, são estabelecidos os seus pressupostos de existência, o que se convencionou chamar de pressuposto de exigibilidade processual e é feito um confronto com demais institutos de Direito Civil que possuem características semelhantes ou que podem se relacionar com a norma de mitigação. Parte-se, então, para o desenvolvimento do que se chamou de regra de aferição da razoabilidade, como meio de padronizar a verificação da medida que se pode considerar razoável para o credor adotar diante da incidência do duty to mitigate the loss. Logo após, é feito um levantamento jurisprudencial para avaliação da aplicação da norma de mitigação pelos tribunais brasileiros. Por fim, é analisada a presença do duty to mitigate the loss na Convenção das Nações Unidas sobre Contratos de Compra e Venda Internacional de Mercadorias (CISG) e em iniciativas internacionais. / This dissertation analyzes the reception of the duty to mitigate the loss by the Brazilian Civil Law. Institute with further development in countries that adopt the common law system, states that the failure of mitigation by the creditor in case of breach, either avoiding or minimizing the damage, causes him to not be reimbursed for the damage suffered, because that conduct was within his reach. The study contrasts the concepts of duty and burden, extracting the legal nature of the duty to mitigate loss from the good faith. After, it is established their assumptions of existence, the so-called assumption of procedural enforceability and it is made a confrontation with other institutes of civil law that have similar characteristics or can relate to the standard mitigation. The next step is the development of what was called reasonableness admeasurement rule, as a means to standardize the verification of measures that can be considered reasonable for the creditor to take on by the incidence of the duty to mitigate loss. Immediately after, a survey is made for judicial review of the implementation of mitigation standard by Brazilian courts. Finally, it is analyzed the presence of the duty to mitigate the loss in the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG) and international initiatives.

O presente estudo pretende analisar a CISG a partir de sua dimensão publicista, resultando na sua identificação como aliada do Estado na efetivação dos objetivos da CF, descritos no art. 3º, I, construir uma sociedade livre, justa e solidária, e na promoção do seu desenvolvimento. Estudá-la como tratado permite compreendê-la como parte de um movimento transformador da atual sociedade internacional. Ressalte-se o fato de a maioria dos trabalhos concentrar-se no seu aspecto privatista, conferindo importância à presente pesquisa. Esta tem início na análise do seu preâmbulo, contendo seu espírito e objetivos, para então adentrar em sua parte dispositiva, examinando-se os obstáculos à harmonização, bem como os instrumentos para superá-los, destacando-se o art. 7º como guia interpretativo e a utilização da CISG em âmbito estatal. Nesse ponto, analisam-se os efeitos de sua incorporação interna, refletindo em sua adoção nos procedimentos licitatórios, pois, como parte do ordenamento interno, passa a ter natureza de lei ordinária, idêntica à Lei de Licitações A pesquisa apontou ser a CISG aliada do Estado na consecução dos objetivos constitucionais, refletindo sua utilização na promoção do bem comum e no desenvolvimento da sociedade. Ademais, a adesão do Brasil produz na parte estrangeira a legítima expectativa de que os contratos administrativos serão por ela regulados, reflexo do compromisso internacional assumido pelo país, sendo a CISG afastada nos seus próprios termos previstos para tal situação. A pesquisa revelou também sua consolidação como um dos documentos de maior alcance transfronteiriço, chegando a harmonizar, de forma bem sucedida, os sistemas de civil law e common law, sedimentando a existência de uma ordem internacional e flexibilizando a tradicional formação da normas unicamente pelo ente soberano. Ainda, efetiva as intenções previstas no preâmbulo, aproximando países e promovendo direitos mediante uma lei uniforme para a compra e venda internacional de mercadorias. / The present study intends to analyze the CISG from its publicist dimension, resulting in its identification as an ally of the State in the accomplishment of the objectives of the CF, described in art. 3, I, to build a free, fair and supportive society, and to promote its development. Studying it as a treaty enables it to be understood as part of a transformative movement in today's international society. It should be emphasized that most of the works focus on its private aspect, what gives an importance to the present research. It begins with an analysis of its preamble, containing its spirit and objectives, to focus in its operative part, examining the obstacles to harmonization, as well as the instruments to overcome them, highlighting art. 7 as an interpretive guide and the use of the CISG at the state level. At this point, the effects of its internal incorporation are analyzed, reflected in its adoption in the bidding procedures, since, as part of the internal order, it is now an ordinary law, identical to the Bidding Law The research pointed the CISG to be allied to the State in achieving the constitutional objectives, reflecting its use in promoting the common good and the development of society. In addition, the adhesion of Brazil produces in the foreign part the legitimate expectation that the administrative contracts will be regulated by it, a reflection of the international commitment assumed by the country, being the CISG removed in its own terms predicted for such situation. The research also revealed its consolidation as one of the most cross-border documents, successfully harmonizing the civil law and common law systems, consolidating the existence of an international order and being able to flexibilize the traditional formation of the norm only by the entity sovereign. It also makes the intentions of the preamble effective, approaching countries and promoting rights through the creation of a uniform law for the international sale of goods.

O presente estudo pretende analisar a CISG a partir de sua dimensão publicista, resultando na sua identificação como aliada do Estado na efetivação dos objetivos da CF, descritos no art. 3º, I, construir uma sociedade livre, justa e solidária, e na promoção do seu desenvolvimento. Estudá-la como tratado permite compreendê-la como parte de um movimento transformador da atual sociedade internacional. Ressalte-se o fato de a maioria dos trabalhos concentrar-se no seu aspecto privatista, conferindo importância à presente pesquisa. Esta tem início na análise do seu preâmbulo, contendo seu espírito e objetivos, para então adentrar em sua parte dispositiva, examinando-se os obstáculos à harmonização, bem como os instrumentos para superá-los, destacando-se o art. 7º como guia interpretativo e a utilização da CISG em âmbito estatal. Nesse ponto, analisam-se os efeitos de sua incorporação interna, refletindo em sua adoção nos procedimentos licitatórios, pois, como parte do ordenamento interno, passa a ter natureza de lei ordinária, idêntica à Lei de Licitações A pesquisa apontou ser a CISG aliada do Estado na consecução dos objetivos constitucionais, refletindo sua utilização na promoção do bem comum e no desenvolvimento da sociedade. Ademais, a adesão do Brasil produz na parte estrangeira a legítima expectativa de que os contratos administrativos serão por ela regulados, reflexo do compromisso internacional assumido pelo país, sendo a CISG afastada nos seus próprios termos previstos para tal situação. A pesquisa revelou também sua consolidação como um dos documentos de maior alcance transfronteiriço, chegando a harmonizar, de forma bem sucedida, os sistemas de civil law e common law, sedimentando a existência de uma ordem internacional e flexibilizando a tradicional formação da normas unicamente pelo ente soberano. Ainda, efetiva as intenções previstas no preâmbulo, aproximando países e promovendo direitos mediante uma lei uniforme para a compra e venda internacional de mercadorias. / The present study intends to analyze the CISG from its publicist dimension, resulting in its identification as an ally of the State in the accomplishment of the objectives of the CF, described in art. 3, I, to build a free, fair and supportive society, and to promote its development. Studying it as a treaty enables it to be understood as part of a transformative movement in today's international society. It should be emphasized that most of the works focus on its private aspect, what gives an importance to the present research. It begins with an analysis of its preamble, containing its spirit and objectives, to focus in its operative part, examining the obstacles to harmonization, as well as the instruments to overcome them, highlighting art. 7 as an interpretive guide and the use of the CISG at the state level. At this point, the effects of its internal incorporation are analyzed, reflected in its adoption in the bidding procedures, since, as part of the internal order, it is now an ordinary law, identical to the Bidding Law The research pointed the CISG to be allied to the State in achieving the constitutional objectives, reflecting its use in promoting the common good and the development of society. In addition, the adhesion of Brazil produces in the foreign part the legitimate expectation that the administrative contracts will be regulated by it, a reflection of the international commitment assumed by the country, being the CISG removed in its own terms predicted for such situation. The research also revealed its consolidation as one of the most cross-border documents, successfully harmonizing the civil law and common law systems, consolidating the existence of an international order and being able to flexibilize the traditional formation of the norm only by the entity sovereign. It also makes the intentions of the preamble effective, approaching countries and promoting rights through the creation of a uniform law for the international sale of goods.

This mini-dissertation analyses whether COVID-19 can be regarded as a force majeure event in international sales contracts in Africa. It begins by looking at the history and development of force majeure (or more generally, the doctrine of excuse for non-performance) in both civil and common law legal systems. It then moves on to look at whether in terms of the provisions of the CISG, the COVID-19 pandemic can serve as an excuse for non-performance in international sales contracts governed by the CISG. Next, the domestic law of South Africa is considered, and it is analysed whether the COVID-19 pandemic can be an excuse for non-performance in international sales contracts that is governed by South African law. The mini-dissertation concludes by discussing how force majeure clauses can and should be used in international sales contracts during the COVID-19 pandemic. / Mini Dissertation (LLM (International Trade and Investment Law in Africa))--University of Pretoria, 2021. / Centre for Human Rights / LLM (International Trade and Investment Law in Africa) / Unrestricted

Thesis (LLD (Mercantile Law))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: International sales contracts have very specific needs that stem from the multiplicity of legal systems which apply to such contracts. In addition to harmonised law, mercantile custom is able to address many of these needs. Mercantile custom represents usages which are clear, certain and efficient and are expected to be known and applied by merchants in a particular trade or region. To this extent mercantile custom fulfils an automatic harmonisation function. However, where a custom does not enjoy uniform application across all branches of trade, the harmonisation function of mercantile custom is limited, as is the case with trade terms. Trade terms reflect mercantile customs and usages which developed over a long time in order to simplify the trade in goods that are transported from one place to the other. They regulate the delivery obligations of the seller and buyer as well as associated obligations such as the passing of risk. Trade terms negate the need for elaborate contract clauses and appear in abbreviated form in contracts of sale. Although they provide a uniform expression of mercantile custom in a particular location or trade, the understanding of trade terms tend to differ from country to country, region to region or from one branch of trade to the next. The ICC INCOTERMS is an effort to standardise trade term definitions at the hand of the most consistent mercantile customs and practices. The aim of this study is to investigate the efficiency of INCOTERMS as a form of standardisation in international sales law. For purposes of the investigation the focus is limited to the passing of risk. Although national laws usually have a default risk regime in place, merchants still prefer to regulate risk by means of trade terms. This study will investigate the legal position in the case of FOB, CIF and DDU terms. An analysis of the risk regimes of a few selected national systems will show that each has their own understanding of these trade terms. The United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG) does not refer to trade terms, but many commentators have concluded that the CISG risk rule is consistent with INCOTERMS. The study will discuss this in more detail. To determine the efficiency of INCOTERMS as a form of standardisation in international sales law, the study examines their characteristics, legal nature as well as their limited scope of regulation. Specific emphasis is placed on the interplay between the CISG and INCOTERMS and the possibility of some form of interaction and collaboration between the two instruments. It is concluded that collaboration between INCOTERMS and the CISG adds value to the international law of sales by increasing the efficiency of an international business transaction and thereby facilitating international trade. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Internasionale koopkontrakte het spesifieke behoeftes wat voortspruit uit die veelvoudigheid van regstelsels van toepassing op so ‘n kontrak. Baie van hierdie behoeftes kan aangespreek word deur geharmoniseerde regsreëls in samehang met handelsgewoontes en –gebruike. Handelsgewoontes verteenwoordig duidelike, seker en effektiewe gebruike. Daar word dus van handelaars wat in ‘n bepaalde bedryf of streek handel dryf, verwag om van hierdie gebruike kennis te neem en hulle toe te pas. In hierdie konteks vervul handelsgebruike ‘n outomatiese harmoniseringsfunksie. Waar ‘n gebruik nie eenvormig toegepas word oor alle bedrywe heen nie, is die harmoniseringsfunksie van handelsgebruike egter beperk. Handelsterme bied ‘n tipiese voorbeeld hiervan. Handelsterme verteenwoordig bepaalde handelsgewoontes en –gebruike wat oor ‘n geruime tyd ontwikkel het ten einde handel in goedere wat van een plek na die ander vervoer word, te vergemaklik. Hulle reguleer die leweringsverpligtinge van die verkoper en koper asook ander verpligtinge wat met lewering verband hou, soos byvoorbeeld die oorgang van risiko. Handelsterme doen weg met lang en omslagtige kontraksbedinge aangesien hulle in die vorm van afkortings in die kontrak figureer. Alhoewel handelsterme ‘n uniforme uitdrukking van gebruike in ‘n bepaalde gebied of bedryf verteenwoordig, is dit egter so dat die inhoud van handelsterme van land tot land, streek tot streek of van een tipe bedryf tot die ander verskil. INCOTERMS is ‘n poging om die inhoud van handelsterme te standaardiseer aan die hand van die mees eenvormige handelsgewoontes en –gebruike. Die doel van hierdie studie is om die effektiwiteit van INCOTERMS as ‘n vorm van standaardisering in die internasionale koopreg te ondersoek. Vir doeleindes van die ondersoek word die fokus beperk tot die oorgang van risiko. Al het nasionale regstelsels gewoonlik ‘n verstek risiko-reël in plek, verkies handelaars steeds om risiko by wyse van handelsterme te reguleer. Die studie ondersoek die regsposisie in die geval van FOB-, CIF-, en DDU-terme. ‘n Analise van risiko-regulering in ‘n aantal nasionale sisteme toon dat elk hul eie betekenis heg aan die inhoud van hierdie terme. Alhoewel die Weense Koopkonvensie geensins na handelsterme verwys nie, voer verskeie kommentatore aan dat die Konvensie se risiko-bestel verenigbaar is met dié van INCOTERMS en sal hierdie aspek gevolglik in meer besonderhede in die studie aangespreek word. Ten einde die effektiwiteit van INCOTERMS te bepaal, word daar ondersoek ingestel na hulle kenmerke, regsaard en beperkte aanwendingsgebied. Spesiale klem word gelê op die wisselwerking tussen die Weense Koopkonvensie en INCOTERMS asook die moontlikheid van interaksie en samewerking tussen die twee instrumente. Die gevolgtrekking is dat interaksie tussen die Koopkonvensie en INCOTERMS waarde toevoeg tot die internasionale koopreg deur die effektiwiteit van die internasionale besigheidstransaksie te verhoog en gevolglik internasionale handel te bevorder. / Harry Crossley Fund / NRF Thuthuka Fund

The recent decades have seen a steady growth of international trade of goods. In order to harmonize the legal environment concerning this materia, attempts for unification of international sales law have been made. In the field of sales of goods, several international instruments have been adopted. These include the (unsuccessful) Convention relating to a Uniform Law on the International Sale of Goods, the model laws, i.e. the UNIDROIT Principles of International Commercial Contracts and the Principles of European Contract Law, and, most notably, the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sales of Goods (CISG). This master's thesis aims to explore one type of remedies for non-performance under the CISG, namely provisions on damages. In a great detail, articles 74, 77, 79 and 80 will be analysed. First, a detailed commentary on two major prerequisites for liability for damages, i.e. causation and foreseeability, will be given. The various factual and legal causation theories will be described. Then it will be demonstrated why it is just and useful that the CISG contains a provision for limiting liability to foreseeable loss and how foreseeability is measured. We will then move to another method of limiting damages - mitigation rule. It will be shown why it is in the aggrieved party's best...

The main aim of this diploma thesis was to identify the international sales contract with a focus on the definition of the international sales contract, the sources of law which govern the international sales contract and the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods, with a closer focus on the formation of the contract and rights and rights and obligations of the buyer and the seller under the Vienna convention and the relevant case law for these issues, as well as the gaps in the Vienna convention. The methods used to develop this diploma thesis are analysis, description and synthesis. Analysis is used to the greatest extent in the third chapter, description is used especially within the first and second chapter and the synthesis is used within the recapitulations at the end of each chapter and within the summary. Within the first chapter I focused on the definition of the international sales contract and its distinction from the classical sales contract. The second chapter deals with the sources of law, which govern the international sales contract. In this chapter, I focus on the direct regulation, conflict of law rules, imperative legal norms, international treaties, European law, choice of law, international business practices, national law, lex mercatoria,...