Legal Agreements on Smart Contract Platforms in European Systems of Private Law

Blockchains and smart contracts are emerging technologies that have the potential to disrupt contract law in Europe. This book explores their recognition and effects in European legal systems, considering French, German, English, and Dutch law. It argues that the existing rules should apply to smart legal agreements in business-to-consumer relations and that most European rules are "smart contract-proof."

Format: Hardback
Length: 416 pages
Publication date: 24 June 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

Blockchains and smart contracts are cutting-edge technologies that present distinctive challenges for legal systems. This book explores the potential for these innovative technologies to cause disruptive changes to contract law in Europe. It achieves this through a comprehensive comparative analysis of the recognition and consequences of smart contracts in various European legal systems.

The book adopts a comparative approach, examining the impact of smart contracts on French law, German law, English law, and Dutch law. This analysis considers the transnational nature of these technologies and their influence on different contract law systems. Additionally, the book delves into the formation, interpretation, and invalidation of contracts.

In the second part of the study, the book examines the impact of smart contracts on European laws related to unfair terms in consumer contracts. It argues that the existing rules should be applied to smart legal agreements in business-to-consumer relationships. Furthermore, the book analyzes the current European rules of private international law, which serve as the basis for determining jurisdiction and applicable law. In this regard, the book concludes that the vast majority of these European rules are "smart contract-proof."

Overall, this book provides valuable insights into the potential disruptions and opportunities that smart contracts bring to contract law in Europe. It sheds light on the need for legal frameworks to adapt to these technological advancements while ensuring fairness, transparency, and stability in commercial transactions.

Weight: 804g
Dimension: 163 x 243 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031354069
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023