The Interconnection of the EU Regulations Brussels I Recast and Rome I: Jurisdiction and Law (Short Studies in Private International Law)

Preface
Contents
1 Complementarity
	Abstract
	1.1 The Age of Conventions
		1.1.1 The Brussels Convention
		1.1.2 The Rome Convention
	1.2 The Age of Regulations
		1.2.1 An EC Policy on Judicial Cooperation
		1.2.2 Brussels I Started, Rome I (II) Followed Suit
		1.2.3 The Recast Regulation
		1.2.4 Review of the Rome I Regulation?
	1.3 An Indissoluble Set of Private International Law Rules
		1.3.1 Complementary Instruments
		1.3.2 Recital 7: Desire for Congruence
	1.4 Vertical Continuity
		1.4.1 General
		1.4.2 Court of Justice
		1.4.3 Lugano Convention
	1.5 Conclusions
	References
2 Reference Matrix of EU Law
	Abstract
	2.1 An EU Private International Law
		2.1.1 Interconnection Through Harmonisation
		2.1.2 Functional Integration
		2.1.3 The Internal Market Perspective
		2.1.4 Multi-level Governance
	2.2 The Role of the EU Court of Justice
		2.2.1 A Vehicle for Integration
		2.2.2 More Competences
	2.3 Selected Principles of Union Law
		2.3.1 Duty of Sincere Co-operation
		2.3.2 Mutual Confidence
		2.3.3 Autonomous Interpretation
		2.3.4 Due Consideration of Related Legal Acts
		2.3.5 Legal Certainty
	2.4 Conclusions
	References
3 System and Scope
	Abstract
	3.1 General Scheme
		3.1.1 Scaffold of Rome I
		3.1.2 Scaffold of the Brussels I Recast Regulation
	3.2 Hierarchy
		3.2.1 The Hierarchy of Brussels I
		3.2.2 The Hierarchy of Rome I
	3.3 Corresponding Scope and Demarcation Lines
		3.3.1 Contractual Matters
		3.3.2 Demarcation Lines
	3.4 Rule Exception Relationship in Favour of the Defendant
		3.4.1 Actor Sequitur Forum Rei
		3.4.2 Strict Interpretation of Special Grounds for Jurisdiction
		3.4.3 Avoidance of Forum Actoris
	3.5 Weighing of Party Interests and Antinomies
		3.5.1 Congruence with Rome I at Stake?
		3.5.2 Broad Interpretation of Contractual Matters
		3.5.3 Strict Interpretation of Special Protective Provisions?
		3.5.4 Court Accepts Classification Problems
	3.6 Conclusions
	References
4 Selected Concepts
	Abstract
	4.1 Civil and Commercial Matters
	4.2 Domicile and Habitual Residence
		4.2.1 Multiple Criteria Under the Brussels I Recast Regulation
		4.2.2 Single Criterion Under Rome I
	4.3 The Contract
		4.3.1 Contractual Obligations Versus Contractual Matters
		4.3.2 A Freely Assumed Obligation
		4.3.3 Tort and Delict and Third-Party Obligations
	4.4 Place of Performance Versus Habitual Residence of the Performer
		4.4.1 Sale of Goods and the Provision of Services
		4.4.2 Place of Performance: Autonomous Definition
	4.5 Direct Activity—Harmonious Interpretation
	4.6 Conclusions
	References
5 Rationale
	Abstract
	5.1 De Esprit des Lois
	5.2 Characteristics: International Jurisdiction Versus Conflict of Laws
	5.3 Universality
	5.4 Temporal Perspective
	5.5 Legal Categories and Concepts
	5.6 Neutrality
	5.7 Access to Justice
		5.7.1 Conflict of Interests
		5.7.2 Procedural Economy
	5.8 EU Principles
		5.8.1 The Internal Market and the Area of Justice
		5.8.2 The Price of EU Integration
		5.8.3 Further Adjustments of Dominant Doctrines
	5.9 Conclusions
	References
6 Certainty and Flexibility
	Abstract
	6.1 The General Tension
	6.2 Party Autonomy
	6.3 Procedural Certainty
		6.3.1 The Perspective of the Defendant
		6.3.2 The Perspective of the Court
		6.3.3 The Sound Administration of Justice
		6.3.4 Mutual Trust
	6.4 Flexible Conflicts Rules
		6.4.1 Predictability
		6.4.2 Circumstances of the Case
	6.5 No Jurisdictional Principle of Closest Connection
		6.5.1 Proximity and Justice
		6.5.2 A Priori Most Appropriate Rules
		6.5.3 Foreseeability greaterthan Discretion
	6.6 The Struggle to Achieve Justice
	6.7 Conclusions
	References
7 Party Autonomy
	Abstract
	7.1 Theoretical Foundations
		7.1.1 Introduction
		7.1.2 Freedom to Contract
		7.1.3 Party Autonomy in Private International Law
	7.2 Party Autonomy Under the Brussels I Recast and Rome I Regulations
		7.2.1 Significance of Party Autonomy and Hierarchy
		7.2.2 Universality and Internationality
		7.2.3 Limits of Freedom
		7.2.4 Formal and Material Validity
	7.3 Conclusions
	References
8 Social Justice—Consumer Protection
	Abstract
	8.1 The Weaker Party—Fundamentals
		8.1.1 Asymmetries of Information, Experience, and Power
		8.1.2 EU Consumer Law
		8.1.3 Cross-Border Protection
		8.1.4 The Privileges Under the Brussels I Recast and Rome I Regulations
	8.2 Consumer Contract—Article 17 Brussels I Recast and Article 6 Rome I
		8.2.1 Negative Definition
		8.2.2 Consumer-to-Business Relations
		8.2.3 The Targeting Criterion
	8.3 Default Protection
	8.4 Restrictions of Party Autonomy
	8.5 Rule-Exception Relation
		8.5.1 Strict Interpretation of Special Rules
		8.5.2 Case Law: A Reconciliation Attempt
	8.6 Ratio Legis
		8.6.1 Familiar Legal Environment
		8.6.2 Social Values
	8.7 Congruence of Brussels I and Rome I
		8.7.1 Discrepancies Reduced
		8.7.2 Legislative History: Blueprints
		8.7.3 Recitals
		8.7.4 The Problem of Favor Defensoris
	8.8 Conclusions
	References
9 Appraisal
	Abstract
	9.1 Brussels I and Rome I Are Complementary Instruments
		9.1.1 Firm Interconnection Due to Harmonisation
		9.1.2 EU PIL Acts Are Reference Points for Interpretation
	9.2 Infrastructural Commonalities and Differences
		9.2.1 Similar Concepts, Different Demarcation Lines
		9.2.2 Systematic Differences
	9.3 De l’Esprit des Lois
		9.3.1 Different Perspectives
		9.3.2 Different Characteristics
		9.3.3 Practicalities of International Trade and EU Focus Shift Boundaries
	9.4 Party Autonomy—A Common Pillar
		9.4.1 A Utilitarian Strive for Autonomy
		9.4.2 Tribute to Distinctive Nature
	9.5 Flexibility and Predictability
		9.5.1 Fast and Hard Rules Under Brussels I
		9.5.2 Flexibility Answers the Need of Justice in Individual Cases
		9.5.3 No Principle of Closest Connection Under Brussels I
	9.6 Both Regulations Protect the Weaker Party
		9.6.1 Privileges for Consumers
		9.6.2 Synchronisation of Forum and Law Achieved
	9.7 Conclusions: No General Horizontal Consistency
	References
Index