Author: Prince Saprai Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA ISBN: 9780198779018 Category : Law Languages : en Pages : 0
Book Description
This book advances a theoretical account of contract law, grounded in value pluralism. Arguing against attempts to delineate branches of legal doctrine by reference to single unifying values, the book suggests that a field such as contract law can only be explained and justified by the interaction of a multiplicity of moral values. In recent times, the philosophy of contract law has been dominated by the 'promise theory', according to which the morality of promise provides a 'blueprint' for the structure, shape, and content that contract law rules and doctrines should take. The promise theory is an example of what this book calls a 'foundationalist' theory, whereby areas of law reflect or are underlain by particular moral principles or sets of such principles. By considering contract law from the point of view of its theory, rules and doctrines, and broader political context, the book argues that the promise theory can only ever offer part of the picture. The book claims that 'top-down' theories of contract law such as the promise theory and its bitter rival the economic analysis of law seriously mishandle legal doctrine by ignoring or underplaying the irreducible plurality of values that shape contract law. The book defends the role of this multiplicity of values in forging contract doctrine by developing from the 'ground-up' a radical and distinctly republican reinterpretation of the field. The book encourages readers to move away from a 'top-down' theory of contract law such as the promise theory and instead embrace a distinctly republican approach to contract law that would justify the legal rules and doctrines we find in particular jurisdictions at particular times.
Author: Prince Saprai Publisher: Oxford University Press ISBN: 0191084581 Category : Law Languages : en Pages : 250
Book Description
This book advances a theoretical account of contract law, grounded in value pluralism. Arguing against attempts to delineate branches of legal doctrine by reference to single unifying values, the book suggests that a field such as contract law can only be explained and justified by the interaction of a multiplicity of moral values. In recent times, the philosophy of contract law has been dominated by the 'promise theory', according to which the morality of promise provides a 'blueprint' for the structure, shape, and content that contract law rules and doctrines should take. The promise theory is an example of what this book calls a 'foundationalist' theory, whereby areas of law reflect or are underlain by particular moral principles or sets of such principles. By considering contract law from the point of view of its theory, rules and doctrines, and broader political context, the book argues that the promise theory can only ever offer part of the picture. The book claims that 'top-down' theories of contract law such as the promise theory and its bitter rival the economic analysis of law seriously mishandle legal doctrine by ignoring or underplaying the irreducible plurality of values that shape contract law. The book defends the role of this multiplicity of values in forging contract doctrine by developing from the 'ground-up' a radical and distinctly republican reinterpretation of the field. The book encourages readers to move away from a 'top-down' theory of contract law such as the promise theory and instead embrace a distinctly republican approach to contract law that would justify the legal rules and doctrines we find in particular jurisdictions at particular times.
Author: James Gordley Publisher: ISBN: 9780197686096 Category : Contracts Languages : en Pages : 0
Book Description
"This book reconsiders the foundations of contract law by clarifying the meaning of fairness and choice. It shows how these ideas were muddled with rise of voluntarism and conceptualism in the nineteenth century. Contract was defined in term of the will of the parties, even though often the parties are bound by terms to which they did not consciously assent and sometimes they are not bound by harsh terms to which they assented. Rules were formulated without regard to the purposes that contract law serves. Current theory and practice recognize these problems but cannot resolve them because they lack a clear idea of fairness in exchange. They approach them by manipulating the idea of choice, or by creating exceptions to previously accepted rules, or by introducing vaguely conceived policy considerations. Economic approaches disregard fairness entirely. This book revives a pre-nineteenth century idea of fairness in exchange. This idea is consistent with modern economic thought and can reconcile concerns about fairness, party autonomy, and the purposes that a contact serves for society and the parties themselves. This book presents an account of contract law that is principled, comprehensive, systematic, and operational in the sense that it explains or criticizes what courts actually do. It seeks to explain the enforceability of contracts, unconscionability, the effect of mistake, and changed circumstances, and problems of assent, interpretation, good faith, and remedies"--
Author: Richard Craswell Publisher: ISBN: 9781422499412 Category : Law Languages : en Pages : 0
Book Description
This text brings together important legal studies and a wealth of materials by economists, historians, political scientists, and sociologists to illuminate the intellectual currents and social and political forces behind contemporary practices and procedures. Designed to complement any standard casebook, it will be an invaluable resource both for the required contracts course and for any upper-level contract theory course. The Foundations of Law Series offers a collection of comprehensive readings that provide an interdisciplinary perspective on a substantive legal field. Edited by scholars who have made important contributions, the readings are designed to provide an accessible introduction to the leading scholarship in a field. Accompanying notes and questions permit students to engage fully in the literature on their own, as well as to aid their understanding of material covered in classes.
Author: Gregory Klass Publisher: OUP Oxford ISBN: 019102208X Category : Law Languages : en Pages : 417
Book Description
In recent years there has been a revival of interest in the philosophical study of contract law. In 1981 Charles Fried claimed that contract law is based on the philosophy of promise and this has generated what is today known as 'the contract and promise debate'. Cutting to the heart of contemporary discussions, this volume brings together leading philosophers, legal theorists, and contract lawyers to debate the philosophical foundations of this area of law. Divided into two parts, the first explores general themes in the contract theory literature, including the philosophy of promising, the nature of contractual obligation, economic accounts of contract law, and the relationship between contract law and moral values such as personal autonomy and distributive justice. The second part uses these philosophical ideas to make progress in doctrinal debates, relating for example to contract interpretation, unfair terms, good faith, vitiating factors, and remedies. Together, the essays provide a picture of the current state of research in this revitalized area of law, and pave the way for future study and debate.
Author: George Letsas Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA ISBN: 0198713010 Category : Law Languages : en Pages : 417
Book Description
The 17 essays of this collection explore key philosophical questions underlying the institution of contract, and the philosophical issues arising in specific contract law doctrines, including contract formation, contract interpretation, unfair terms, the principle of good faith, defences, and remedies.
Author: Richard Craswell Publisher: ISBN: 9781566629904 Category : Contracts Languages : en Pages : 0
Book Description
These essays have been specifically selected to further students' understanding of the basics of contract law, and they cover a wide range of topics. The text serves as an excellent facilitator for thought-provoking classroom discussions. Topics include contract formation, remedies for breach, and defenses.
Author: Nathan Oman Publisher: University of Chicago Press ISBN: 022641552X Category : Business & Economics Languages : en Pages : 312
Book Description
The Dignity of Commerce is a rigorous and novel exploration of moral justification of contract law through how it fosters well-functioning markets. Nathan B. Oman demonstrates how contract law deals overwhelmingly with the matters of commercial exchange, and how commerce in turn breeds habits of mind, or virtues, that support a liberal society. He also shows how markets provide a framework for peaceful cooperation across the fault lines of race, culture, religion, and politics that outdo even democratic political institutions. The Dignity of Commerce is ambitious in its aims and its conclusions and the implications are powerful. It is sure to elicit a serious discussion at the very heart of one of the most central areas of legal studies, and Nathan B. Oman has provided a clear, engaging, and comprehensive vehicle to get the discussion started.
Author: Paul Richards Publisher: ISBN: Category : Law Languages : en Pages : 512
Book Description
This title sets out the principles of the law of contract with reference to the leading cases. Each chapter contains details of recommended further reading including cases and articles. A companion website allows students to keep up to date with developments.