Determining fundamental breach in international sale of goods: taming the unruly horse?

Hamid, Abdul Ghafur@Khin Maung Sein (2018) Determining fundamental breach in international sale of goods: taming the unruly horse? Pertanika Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 26 (S). pp. 171-178. ISSN 0128-7702 E-ISSN 2231-8534

	PDF - Published Version Restricted to Registered users only Download (232kB) | Request a copy
Preview	PDF (SCOPUS) - Supplemental Material Download (468kB) | Preview

Abstract

The remedial system is the most distinctive feature of the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG) 1980. The remedy of ‘avoidance’ is not available for every breach of contract, except for a fundamental one. Despite the fact that the term is specifically defined in Article 25, many commentators are of the view that the meaning of “fundamental breach” is vague and uncertain. The present paper analyses the dual elements of ‘fundamental breach’, namely, substantial detriment and unforeseeability, on the basis of interpretative tools of the Convention, legislative history and an in-depth survey of judicial decisions on fundamental breach from various countries. The paper finds that it is too drastic to say that the meaning of fundamental breach defined in CISG is rather vague, and that on the contrary, the meaning is clearly instructive and can be refined through judicial interpretation. The paper concludes that though it will take time for case law to completely cover most possible situations of fundamental breach, it is pretty clear at this stage that a number of basic principles for the determination of fundamental breach are well settled and established.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Additional Information:	3163/63855
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Fundamental breach; CISG; remedy of avoidance; substantial detriment; foreseeability
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HF Commerce > HF5001 Business. Business Administration > HF5419 Wholesale trade K Law > K Law (General)
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah of Laws > Department of Civil Law
Depositing User:	Prof. Dr. Abdul Ghafur Hamid
Date Deposited:	28 May 2018 15:05
Last Modified:	10 Jul 2018 14:47
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/63855

Actions (login required)

View Item