Modernising and Harmonising Consumer Contract Law: With Reference to the Planned Horizontal Consumer Contract Directive

In October 2008, the European Commission published the Proposal for a Consumer Rights Directive - a proposal that suggests far-reaching changes to the core of consumer contract law. Four current directives are replaced by a new overarching piece of legislation. In doing so, full harmonization should, for the most part, take the place of the minimum standard presently in force in the EU. Although a welcomed initiative, the extent and possible effects of the Proposal have certainly brought a number of issues to the fore. In January 2009, legal experts - from universities, legal practices, and the civil service - met at Manchester University to address the issues raised by the Proposal and to address the question of the extent to which the Proposal can indeed contribute to the modernization and harmonization of European consumer contract law. This book contains the proceedings of the conference, and includes papers that analyze, criticize, and suggest improvements for the Proposal.