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DETERMINING THE PLACE OF PERFORMANCE UNDER ARTICLE 7(1) OF THE BRUSSELS I RECAST

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 April 2021

Arthur Poon
Arthur Poon*
Affiliation:
University of Hong Kong, [email protected].
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Abstract

This article calls for a reassessment of the methodology in determining the place of contractual performance under Article 7(1) of the Brussels I Regulation Recast. The first part of the article deals with Article 7(1)(a). It argues that in light of the adoption of autonomous linking factors under Article 7(1)(b), more types of contracts presently not covered within the ambits of Article 7(1)(b) should centralise jurisdiction at the places of performance of their characteristic obligations. The second part of the article considers the way Article 7(1) operates when there are multiple places of performance under the contract. The test devised by the Court of Justice of the European Union in this regard is not only difficult to apply, but the application of the test also often does not guarantee a close connection between the claim and the court taking jurisdiction. This article argues that when a claim is made in respect of a contractual obligation to be performed in more than one Member State, Article 4 should be applied instead of Article 7(1).

Keywords

private international lawBrussels I Regulation Recastplace of performanceArticle 7(1)conflict of laws
Type
Articles
Information
International & Comparative Law Quarterly , Volume 70 , Issue 3 , July 2021 , pp. 635 - 663
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press for the British Institute of International and Comparative Law

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Footnotes

The author would like to thank Dr. Pippa Rogerson for her comments on the first draft of this article, as well as the ICLQ editorial team for their feedback and revisions.

References

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127 Wood Floor (n 102), Opinion of AG Trstenjak, para 89.

128 [2015] I.L.Pr. 8.

129 ibid [29].

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131 ibid [53].

132 ibid [53].

133 ibid [53].

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135 [2006] I.L.Pr. 10.

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138 Color Drack (n 80), Opinion of AG Bot, para 115, fn 30.

139 Wood Floor (n 102), Opinion of AG Trstenjak, para 90.

140 Besix (n 10) [34].

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143 ibid [26].

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