Consensus and commercial terms: theoretical and comparative analysis This final thesis deals with the topic of the battle of the forms using the theoretical apparatus of rules governing the formation of contract. The problem is modeled (and therefore limited) for the case of formation of contract for the sale of goods concluded between merchants when each of them uses his/her own commercial (standard) terms. Another limitation of the thesis is connected with the use of classical contractual paradigm which is based on the continuity of offer and acceptance in the process of contracting. The key element of contract is found in consensus, therefore it is consensus which is analyzed in connection with extensiveness of terms, about which the minds have to meet in order to form the contract, and also in connection with the content of already formed contract. The final thesis has two objectives. First, it is to verify on theoretical level that no matter what principle in the process of formation of contract is used (whether mirror-image rule or not) both law professionals and legal theory are forced to find solutions which are in accordance with the principle of economic analysis of contract. Second, it is to analyze solutions on the formation and content of contract which were adopted by Czech...

Le mot « relations d’affaires » n’est plus seulement une simple dénomination dans le « monde du business » ; en effet, la notion juridique de relations d’affaires intervient aujourd’hui comme étant une nouvelle catégorie juridique du droit notamment depuis la rédaction de l’ordonnance française n⁰ 2016-131 du 10 février 2016. Notre analyse va porter sur la consécration de la notion de relations d’affaires en droit positif français et libanais. Cette analyse aura pour intérêt principal de tenter d’esquisser une définition générale de la notion de relations d’affaires, de développer le cadre juridique dans lequel elle se forme et de déterminer les caractéristiques relatives à la notion de relations d’affaires. Une approche juridique de cette notion nous permet de préciser les contours du régime juridique de la notion de relations d’affaires tout en se basant, en grande partie, sur l’article L. 442-6-I, 5⁰ du Code de commerce français. L’analyse de l’équilibre économique et de la sécurité juridique des contractants va conduire à étudier non seulement les relations pré-contractuelles et contractuelles mais aussi le sort et les effets juridiques des relations d’affaires au stade post contractuel. On s’attachera dans une première approche, à éclaircir les domaines dans lesquels la notion de relations d’affaires est abordée en droit positif et essayer d’en préciser les éléments constitutifs. Et dans une deuxième approche, on analysera les effets juridiques de la notion de relations d’affaires au cours des diverses phases de la formation du contrat et des conséquences de la rupture du contrat sur lesdites relations / The word « business relations » is no longer only a denomination in the « business world »; in fact, the legal notion of business relations intervenes today as a new legal category of law, in particular since the drafting of French order No. 2016-131 in 10 February 2016. Our analysis will focus on the consecration of « business relations » in French and Lebanese positive law. This analysis has a principal interest to attempt to outline a general definition of the concept of « business relations », to develop the legal framework within which it is formed, and to determine the related characteristics of the business relations concept. A legal approach of this notion has enabled us to specify the legal framework of the business relations notion, this is largely based on article L. 442-6-I, 5⁰ of the French commercial code. The analysis of the economic equilibrium and the legal security of contractors will lead us to study not only the pre-contractual and contractual relations but also the condition and the legal effects of business relations at the post-contract stage. In a first approach, we will clarify the areas in which the notion of business relations is approached in positive law, and will try to specify its constituent elements. In a second approach, we will analyze the legal effects of the « business relations » notion during the diverse phases of the contract drafting and the consequences of the contract termination on those relations

The basis of any contract is the agreement of two or more parties. In traditional Swedish and English contract law theory, a contract is formed through the reciprocal exchange of an offer and a corresponding acceptance. Together, these declarations of will represent the common intent of the parties, which binds them to their respective contractual obligations and determines the contents of the contract. In the contemporary commercial sector, the use of standard forms (i.e., sets of terms that have not been individually negotiated) has become more prevalent. This has led to the rise of a particular legal issue, called the “battle of forms”: a situation where both parties refer to their own, conflicting, standard forms during the formation of contract, where after they proceed in fulfilling their contractual obligations. Consequently, the exchanged declarations of will lack conformity in these cases, and there is no discernible common will of the parties. In order to conclude that a contract has been formed, and to decide its contents, this conflict needs to be resolved. The traditional approach to resolving the issue of battle of forms in English law is to regard the last referenced standard terms in the contractual negotiations as an offer (or counter-offer), and the other party’s conduct as an acceptance. This approach largely corresponds with how the issue likely would be resolved according to traditional Swedish contract law principles. However, in the legal scientific environments of both Sweden and England, ideas and concepts of a modern contract law has developed. Included therein is the idea of taking a more flexible stance with regard to the formation of contract. When viewing the contractual relationship holistically, and partly liberated from the offer-acceptance approach, the battle of forms can be resolved by letting the court construe the different sets of terms together, and re-place conflicting terms with suitable substitutes by implication. These modern concepts have partly manifested in recent English precedence regarding the battle of forms. Considering that the patterns of development with respect to the modern law of contract are similar in Swedish and English law, there is reason to believe that a similar “new” approach to the battle of forms might be adopted by Swedish courts as well.