PRIVATE INTERNATIONAL LAW
Table of contents
SCHEME FOR SOLVING PIL CASES.................................................................................................................. 5
INTRODUCTION (class 1)............................................................................................................................... 7
1. Private International law (PIL).........................................................................................................................7
What is it?.........................................................................................................................................................7
Why is it relevant (function)? (objectives/ goals)..........................................................................................10
Sources: Different layers and their interrelationship.....................................................................................14
PIL as a multilayered scheme.........................................................................................................................14
Structure.........................................................................................................................................................15
2. Is PIL international law?.................................................................................................................................15
HCCH and its impact on PIL............................................................................................................................16
3. Is PIL EU Law?.................................................................................................................................................16
Evolving competences....................................................................................................................................17
EU PIL today....................................................................................................................................................17
Moving forward: Course objectives = in general...............................................................................................18
1. INTERNATIONAL JURISDICTION IN CIVIL AND COMMERCIAL MATTERS (Class 2).......................................20
1.1. Which sources apply?..................................................................................................................................22
1.2. EU provides the “cornerstone” for international jurisdiction: the Brussels I Regulation............................23
1.3. Main rules & scope of application...............................................................................................................23
1.4. Two connected (yet distinct) PIL questions.................................................................................................26
1.5. General rule on international jurisdiction...................................................................................................27
1.6. Alternative venue?......................................................................................................................................28
1.7. Rules to protect weaker parties..................................................................................................................30
1.8. Exclusive jurisdiction (Art. 24).....................................................................................................................31
1.9. Prorogation of jurisdiction..........................................................................................................................31
1.10. Selecting the forum in practice.................................................................................................................33
1.11. 2005 Choice of Court Agreements Convention.........................................................................................33
1.12. In practice..................................................................................................................................................34
1.13. Towards more rules on international jurisdiction in civil and commercial matters?................................34
2. International jurisdiction in family cases (class 3).....................................................................................35
2.1. Cases as an example for family law............................................................................................................35
1
, 2.2. Which sources?...........................................................................................................................................38
2.3. Many international instruments.................................................................................................................38
2.4. Overview – main family law topics.............................................................................................................39
Marriage dissolution (1).................................................................................................................................39
Parental responsibility (2)..............................................................................................................................42
International (child) abduction (3).................................................................................................................45
Maintenance (4).............................................................................................................................................50
3. INTERNATIONAL CONTRACTS (Class 4)..................................................................................................... 53
3.1. The importance of the governing law.........................................................................................................53
3.2. The quest for the applicable law: two prerequisites...................................................................................60
3.3. Which legal sources.....................................................................................................................................60
3.4. Which law governs an international contract? (EU law, domestic law, conventions…).............................61
Which international instruments?.................................................................................................................61
For the EU: the Rome I Regulation as the key instrument.............................................................................61
Freedom of choice: main rules and limitations..............................................................................................62
Applicable law in the absence of choice (Art. 4)............................................................................................64
3.5. Specific types of contracts...........................................................................................................................66
3.6. Interferences with the applicable law.........................................................................................................67
4. INTERNATIONAL TORTS – which law applies (class 5)...............................................................................69
4.1. Examples of frequent international tort cases............................................................................................69
4.2. Sources........................................................................................................................................................73
4.3. Uniform conflict rules – why a Rome II Regulation? = main objectives......................................................73
4.4. Focus on Rome II Regulation – Scope of application..................................................................................74
4.5. Rome II Regulation – Structure...................................................................................................................76
When is party autonomy possible? (Art. 14 Rome II)....................................................................................80
Rome II Regulation – priority to specific torts................................................................................................80
Rome II Regulation – General rule for torts...................................................................................................82
Rules for acts giving rise to liability – other than torts..................................................................................82
Other relevant rules.......................................................................................................................................83
4.6. Topical issues...............................................................................................................................................85
5. International familydisputes - which law applies (Class 6)........................................................................87
Introduction........................................................................................................................................................87
5. 1. Marriage dissolution..................................................................................................................................88
Relevant legal source : Rome III (or domestic rules in non-participating MS)...............................................88
So when does Rome III Regulation apply?.....................................................................................................90
5.2. Parental responsibility.................................................................................................................................92
What is meant by “parental responsibility”?.................................................................................................92
Relevant instrument: HCCH 1996 Child Protection Convention....................................................................92
Applicable law under the Convention............................................................................................................93
2
, 5.3. International abduction..............................................................................................................................95
5.4. Maintenance...............................................................................................................................................96
Relevant instruments : Maintenance Regulation and 2007 Hague Protocol.................................................96
Applicable law: Hague Protocol.....................................................................................................................98
6. International succession and couples’ property cases – which law applies (Class 7)................................100
1. The topic: international succession and couples’ patrimonial disputes.......................................................100
International successions.............................................................................................................................100
Couples’ patrimonial disputes......................................................................................................................101
2. Some examples............................................................................................................................................101
3. Sources.........................................................................................................................................................105
Regulation 650/2012 in Matters of Succession............................................................................................106
Regulation 1103/2016 on Property Aspects of Marriage............................................................................107
Regulation 1104/2016 on Property Aspects of Registered Partnerships....................................................109
4. How is the applicable law determined.........................................................................................................110
7. Guestlecture: Challenges for Commercial Dipspute resolution and PIL in times of polycrisis – Prof Eva Lein
(Class 8).................................................................................................................................................... 112
Introduction......................................................................................................................................................112
Era of ‘Polycrisis’...........................................................................................................................................112
Impact of Polycrisis.......................................................................................................................................112
Focus.............................................................................................................................................................113
A. Polycrisis and international commercial contracts......................................................................................113
Challenges....................................................................................................................................................113
Contract Law Responses to Crisis.................................................................................................................114
B. Polycrisis and Dispute Resolution................................................................................................................115
Challenges....................................................................................................................................................116
Responses.....................................................................................................................................................116
C. Crisis and Private International Law............................................................................................................120
Challenges....................................................................................................................................................120
Responses.....................................................................................................................................................120
Pathways forward/ good practices..................................................................................................................123
8. Foreign judgements – Recognition and ENFORCEMENT (Class 9)............................................................124
Examples..........................................................................................................................................................124
Example 1 – Punitive damages.....................................................................................................................124
Example 2 – Art litigation.............................................................................................................................127
Example 3.....................................................................................................................................................128
Recognition and enforcement abroad.............................................................................................................129
Basic level: full recognition and enforcement control.................................................................................129
Intermediate level: Simplified recognition and enforcement......................................................................131
Free circulation of judgments?.....................................................................................................................132
9. Recognition and enforcement: under the 2019 Judgement Convention (class 10)...................................135
3
, 1. Completing the survey of domestic rules on R&E – examples.....................................................................135
2. Getting to the 2019 Hague Judgements Convention...................................................................................135
3. Current status...............................................................................................................................................137
4. The Judgements Convention: basic operation.............................................................................................137
Using a modified recent example.................................................................................................................137
Cont’d...........................................................................................................................................................137
5. First applications..........................................................................................................................................140
10. International judicial assistance – Some procedural pitfalls in cross-boarders litigation (class 11).........142
Examples..........................................................................................................................................................142
1) Transient jurisdiction................................................................................................................................142
2) Small claims > special rules?....................................................................................................................143
3) Service to a local lawyer...........................................................................................................................144
International schemes on judicial assistance...................................................................................................145
EU Judicial assistance (in civil matters)............................................................................................................148
(e-)Service of Documents.............................................................................................................................148
(e-)Taking of Evidence..................................................................................................................................149
4
Table of contents
SCHEME FOR SOLVING PIL CASES.................................................................................................................. 5
INTRODUCTION (class 1)............................................................................................................................... 7
1. Private International law (PIL).........................................................................................................................7
What is it?.........................................................................................................................................................7
Why is it relevant (function)? (objectives/ goals)..........................................................................................10
Sources: Different layers and their interrelationship.....................................................................................14
PIL as a multilayered scheme.........................................................................................................................14
Structure.........................................................................................................................................................15
2. Is PIL international law?.................................................................................................................................15
HCCH and its impact on PIL............................................................................................................................16
3. Is PIL EU Law?.................................................................................................................................................16
Evolving competences....................................................................................................................................17
EU PIL today....................................................................................................................................................17
Moving forward: Course objectives = in general...............................................................................................18
1. INTERNATIONAL JURISDICTION IN CIVIL AND COMMERCIAL MATTERS (Class 2).......................................20
1.1. Which sources apply?..................................................................................................................................22
1.2. EU provides the “cornerstone” for international jurisdiction: the Brussels I Regulation............................23
1.3. Main rules & scope of application...............................................................................................................23
1.4. Two connected (yet distinct) PIL questions.................................................................................................26
1.5. General rule on international jurisdiction...................................................................................................27
1.6. Alternative venue?......................................................................................................................................28
1.7. Rules to protect weaker parties..................................................................................................................30
1.8. Exclusive jurisdiction (Art. 24).....................................................................................................................31
1.9. Prorogation of jurisdiction..........................................................................................................................31
1.10. Selecting the forum in practice.................................................................................................................33
1.11. 2005 Choice of Court Agreements Convention.........................................................................................33
1.12. In practice..................................................................................................................................................34
1.13. Towards more rules on international jurisdiction in civil and commercial matters?................................34
2. International jurisdiction in family cases (class 3).....................................................................................35
2.1. Cases as an example for family law............................................................................................................35
1
, 2.2. Which sources?...........................................................................................................................................38
2.3. Many international instruments.................................................................................................................38
2.4. Overview – main family law topics.............................................................................................................39
Marriage dissolution (1).................................................................................................................................39
Parental responsibility (2)..............................................................................................................................42
International (child) abduction (3).................................................................................................................45
Maintenance (4).............................................................................................................................................50
3. INTERNATIONAL CONTRACTS (Class 4)..................................................................................................... 53
3.1. The importance of the governing law.........................................................................................................53
3.2. The quest for the applicable law: two prerequisites...................................................................................60
3.3. Which legal sources.....................................................................................................................................60
3.4. Which law governs an international contract? (EU law, domestic law, conventions…).............................61
Which international instruments?.................................................................................................................61
For the EU: the Rome I Regulation as the key instrument.............................................................................61
Freedom of choice: main rules and limitations..............................................................................................62
Applicable law in the absence of choice (Art. 4)............................................................................................64
3.5. Specific types of contracts...........................................................................................................................66
3.6. Interferences with the applicable law.........................................................................................................67
4. INTERNATIONAL TORTS – which law applies (class 5)...............................................................................69
4.1. Examples of frequent international tort cases............................................................................................69
4.2. Sources........................................................................................................................................................73
4.3. Uniform conflict rules – why a Rome II Regulation? = main objectives......................................................73
4.4. Focus on Rome II Regulation – Scope of application..................................................................................74
4.5. Rome II Regulation – Structure...................................................................................................................76
When is party autonomy possible? (Art. 14 Rome II)....................................................................................80
Rome II Regulation – priority to specific torts................................................................................................80
Rome II Regulation – General rule for torts...................................................................................................82
Rules for acts giving rise to liability – other than torts..................................................................................82
Other relevant rules.......................................................................................................................................83
4.6. Topical issues...............................................................................................................................................85
5. International familydisputes - which law applies (Class 6)........................................................................87
Introduction........................................................................................................................................................87
5. 1. Marriage dissolution..................................................................................................................................88
Relevant legal source : Rome III (or domestic rules in non-participating MS)...............................................88
So when does Rome III Regulation apply?.....................................................................................................90
5.2. Parental responsibility.................................................................................................................................92
What is meant by “parental responsibility”?.................................................................................................92
Relevant instrument: HCCH 1996 Child Protection Convention....................................................................92
Applicable law under the Convention............................................................................................................93
2
, 5.3. International abduction..............................................................................................................................95
5.4. Maintenance...............................................................................................................................................96
Relevant instruments : Maintenance Regulation and 2007 Hague Protocol.................................................96
Applicable law: Hague Protocol.....................................................................................................................98
6. International succession and couples’ property cases – which law applies (Class 7)................................100
1. The topic: international succession and couples’ patrimonial disputes.......................................................100
International successions.............................................................................................................................100
Couples’ patrimonial disputes......................................................................................................................101
2. Some examples............................................................................................................................................101
3. Sources.........................................................................................................................................................105
Regulation 650/2012 in Matters of Succession............................................................................................106
Regulation 1103/2016 on Property Aspects of Marriage............................................................................107
Regulation 1104/2016 on Property Aspects of Registered Partnerships....................................................109
4. How is the applicable law determined.........................................................................................................110
7. Guestlecture: Challenges for Commercial Dipspute resolution and PIL in times of polycrisis – Prof Eva Lein
(Class 8).................................................................................................................................................... 112
Introduction......................................................................................................................................................112
Era of ‘Polycrisis’...........................................................................................................................................112
Impact of Polycrisis.......................................................................................................................................112
Focus.............................................................................................................................................................113
A. Polycrisis and international commercial contracts......................................................................................113
Challenges....................................................................................................................................................113
Contract Law Responses to Crisis.................................................................................................................114
B. Polycrisis and Dispute Resolution................................................................................................................115
Challenges....................................................................................................................................................116
Responses.....................................................................................................................................................116
C. Crisis and Private International Law............................................................................................................120
Challenges....................................................................................................................................................120
Responses.....................................................................................................................................................120
Pathways forward/ good practices..................................................................................................................123
8. Foreign judgements – Recognition and ENFORCEMENT (Class 9)............................................................124
Examples..........................................................................................................................................................124
Example 1 – Punitive damages.....................................................................................................................124
Example 2 – Art litigation.............................................................................................................................127
Example 3.....................................................................................................................................................128
Recognition and enforcement abroad.............................................................................................................129
Basic level: full recognition and enforcement control.................................................................................129
Intermediate level: Simplified recognition and enforcement......................................................................131
Free circulation of judgments?.....................................................................................................................132
9. Recognition and enforcement: under the 2019 Judgement Convention (class 10)...................................135
3
, 1. Completing the survey of domestic rules on R&E – examples.....................................................................135
2. Getting to the 2019 Hague Judgements Convention...................................................................................135
3. Current status...............................................................................................................................................137
4. The Judgements Convention: basic operation.............................................................................................137
Using a modified recent example.................................................................................................................137
Cont’d...........................................................................................................................................................137
5. First applications..........................................................................................................................................140
10. International judicial assistance – Some procedural pitfalls in cross-boarders litigation (class 11).........142
Examples..........................................................................................................................................................142
1) Transient jurisdiction................................................................................................................................142
2) Small claims > special rules?....................................................................................................................143
3) Service to a local lawyer...........................................................................................................................144
International schemes on judicial assistance...................................................................................................145
EU Judicial assistance (in civil matters)............................................................................................................148
(e-)Service of Documents.............................................................................................................................148
(e-)Taking of Evidence..................................................................................................................................149
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