News: Contract Law
EC officials highlight contract law 'jungle'
24 June 2008
European officials have underlined the pertinence of contract law training at a meeting in London this week.
Consumer commissioner Meglena Kuneva explained in a speech to business bosses that confusion over current contract law contributes to difficulties for retail outlets keen to facilitate online trading across national borders.
"This autumn, the commission will bring forward proposals for a single framework consumer contract law for Europe's internal market," she continued.
"Currently, we have a jungle of complex laws which have evolved piecemeal over the last 20 years.
"The result in practice is a maze of different rights and practices, from cooling-off periods to guarantees that are as unclear to consumers as they are confusing for business."
Other priority areas for action in digital-age consumer policy singled out by Ms Kuneva included "critical assessment" of the use of business models based on geographical discrimination online and the conditions under which consumers give informed consent for the use of their personal data.
Business consultant Brian Sweeney suggested earlier this month that training in contract law is particularly important for the owners of smaller firms.
He told CityWire that many bosses currently risk falling foul of the Financial Services Authority and Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulation as a result of "a general lack of resources" and failure to complete annual reviews.
