51063005--Comparative Civil Law

Course Title: Comparative Civil Law

Course Code

51063005

Semester

Fall

Teaching Hours

64

Credits

4

Prerequisites

Civil law

Instructor Information

Name

Meiling Huang

Email

Meiling.huang@zuel.edu.cn

Institute

Law School

Applicable Object

International Students

Course Objectives

On completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Become familiar with the methodology of comparative law and conducting comparative analysis;

2. Examine and reflect critically on the nuances of legal rules and doctrines across various global legal systems;

3. Gain confidence in approaching the challenges of a future in law within a globalised world; and

4. Understand the approach of different jurisdictions to various issues of private law, including contract, tort, and trusts.

Course Description

(200 words)

The aim of this course is to give a general introduction to the fundamental theoretical knowledge and methodology of comparative law, so as to provide the students with the tools necessary for carrying out comparative analysis. This course also offers introduction on the major legal systems of the world, providing insights into the main features and historical development of these legal systems. Attention will be given to the guidance on how to use the tools of comparative analysis to conduct a comparative study of different legal systems in the context of civil law.

There will be 13 seminars taking place, each lasting 4 hours. These will aim to provide an introduction to the subject matter. In addition to these, tutorials will address this subject matter in more detail. There will be 6 tutorials for this module, each lasting 2 hours, which will provide students with the opportunity to dissect and explore the materials further. To take full advantage of these tutorials, students will be required to complete extensive independent preparation (outlined for each session under the tutorial materials below), digesting the required readings and being prepared to discuss these, and preparing responses to a selection of questions. This preparation will form the basis for discussion in the tutorials.

Assessment Methods

Students will deliver a one-hour presentation using the comparative method on a topic of their choosing in the final three weeks of the course. The content of this presentation should then be elaborated in a dissertation for submission. The presentation and the dissertation combined will form the assessment mark for this module.

Textbooks and References

1. K. Zweigert and H. Kötz, Introduction to Comparative Law, 3^rd edn., T. Weir trans., Clarendon Press, 1998.

2. M. Reimann and R. Zimmermann (eds), The Oxford Handbook of Comparative Law, 2^nd edn., Oxford University Press, 2019. 

3. M. Bussani and U. Mattei (eds), The Cambridge Companion to Comparative Law, Cambridge University Press, 2012.

4. R. David, Major Legal Systems in the World Today, Stevens & Sons, 1985.

5. E. Örücü and D. Nelken (eds), Comparative Law: A Handbook, Hart Publishing, 2007.

6. R. Zimmermann, Roman Law, Contemporary Law, Common Law: The Civilian Tradition Today, Oxford University Press, 2001.

7. G. Samuel, An Introduction to Comparative Law Theory and Method, Hart Publishing, 2014.

Course planning

Seminar

Seminar 1: 

What is comparative civil law?

Overview of Topics:

· Introduction to course

· Meaning of comparative law as a discipline

· Leckey’s view on the character, debate, and opportunity of comparative law

· Importance of comparative law

· Example of comparison – the lawyer in Western legal systems versus the traditional Chinese system

Independent work:

Recommended reading:

· Geoffrey Samuel, Introduction to Comparative Law Theory and Method (Hart, 2014).

· Alan Watson, ‘Comparative law and legal change’ (1978) 37(2) Cambridge Law Journal, 313-336.

· Marta Infantino, ‘Integration through comparative private law: Four lessons from Cappelletti’ (2016) 14(2) International Journal of Constitutional Law, 492-497.

Seminar 2:

The History and Methodology of Comparative Law

Overview of Topics:

· Distinction between comparative law and comparative law jurisprudence

· Comparative law as a methodology

· Roman law – Twelve Tables as the root of comparative methodology

· Comparative law as an independent science

· Relationship between comparative law and foreign law

· Comparative law and legal historians

· Comparative methodology

· Macro-level and micro-level comparison

· Functional and conceptual comparison

Independent work:

1. In advance of the seminar, please prepare a 15-minute presentation in small groups on the history of comparative law in one country.

2. Recommended reading:

· Edward Eberle, ‘The Method and Role of Comparative Law’ (2009) 8(3) Washington University Global Studies Law Review, 451-486.

· Frederick Pollock, ‘The History of Comparative Law Jurisprudence’ (1903) 5(1) Journal of the Society of Comparative Legislation, 74-89.

Seminar 3:

The Law of Secured Transactions Concerning Movables

Overview of Topics:

· Secured transactions

· Proprietary security versus personal security

· Limited property rights of security versus title-based security

· Consensual security versus statutory security

· Movable

· Movables versus immovable

· Corporeal movables versus incorporeal movables

· Methods of determination – functional and formal approaches

· Formal approach – England and Germany

· Functional approach – US and PPSAs

· Methods of enforcement – validity of lex commissoria

· Regional and international instrument

· UNCITRAL Model law on secured transactions

· The issue of publicity – possession, notification, control, and registration

· Legal effect of publicity

Independent work:

1. Conduct research on one of these topics:

· Property and sachenrecht, jus in rem

· Strict liability and no fault liability

· Cause and consideration

2. Recommended reading:

· Ulrich Drobnig and Ole Böger, Proprietary Security in Movable Assets (Sellier, 2014).

· Horst Eidenmüller and Eva-Maria Kieninger eds., The Future of Secured Credit in Europe (De Gruyter, 2008).

· Robert L. Jordan, William D. Warren, and Steven D. Walt, Secured Transactions in Personal Property (Foundation, 2000).

· James J. White and Robert S. Summers, Uniform Commercial Code, (West, 2010), Chapter 22-25.

Seminar 4-5:

Contemporary Legal Systems

Overview of Topics:

· What is the concept of a legal system?

· Theories of Austin and Kelsen

· René David’s theory of legal systems

· Variability of law

· Example of the unilateral promise throughout time – from Roman pollicitatio to modern-day varying obligation

· Diversity in law

· Example of UK division between common law England and Wales and Roman law foundations of Scotland

· Diverse groups – Canonic, Hindu, Jewish and Islamic laws

· Classification of legal systems

· Legal tradition

· Legal family

· Sacco’s classification of legal systems

· Civil and common law systems – overview and features

· Mixed legal families and socialist laws

· Adams v Lindsell (1818) 1B & ALD 681- an example of the postal rule in the UK

· Comparing the approaches of the common and civil law to delays in postal communication

Independent work:

1. Recommended reading:

· Joseph Raz, The Concept of a Legal System (2nd edn Clarendon, 1980).

· W. W. Buckland and A. McNair, Roman Law and Common Law (CUP, 1952).

· Mariana Pargendler, ‘The Rise and Decline of Legal Families’ (2012) 60(4) American Journal of Comparative Law, 1043-1074.

· Alan Waston, ‘Roman Law and English Law: Two Patterns of Legal Development’ (1990), available at: https://digitalcommons.law.uga.edu/fac_artchop/846.

2. See Tutorial 1

Seminar 6-7:

Codification

Overview of topics:

· Student presentations

· Early laws and the origins of law

· Ancient Rome story of Numa – religion

· Ancient Chinese society – custom

· Pre-literate societies

· Definition of customary law

· Relationship of customary law with positive legislation

· Custom as a source of law

· Example of African customary law and the effect of colonialism

· Roman legal system: the basis for continental European legal systems

· Code of Hammurabi

· Solon’s law

· The Twelve Tables

· The classical jurists – Gaius and Ulpian

· Example of origin of causa

· The Theodosian Code

· Etymology of codification and codex

· Corpus Iuris Civilis

· Background of Justinian codification

· Justinian’s Digest and Institutes

· Ius commune and the revival of Roman law

· National codifications: Napoleonic Civil Code, German Civil Code

· Common law – precedent

Independent work:

1. Recommended reading:

· Friedrich Carl von Savigny, ‘Of the Vocation of our Age for Legislation and Jurisprudence’ (1831).

· Thibaut, ‘On the Need for a Civil Code for Germany’ (1814).

· David Trubek, ‘Max Weber on Law and the Rise of Capitalism’, (1972) Wisconsin L. Rev., 720-753.

· Fernanda Pirie, The Anthropology of Law (Oxford University Press, 2013).

· Harold J. Berman, Law and Revolution: The Formation of the Western Legal Tradition (Harvard University Press, 1983).

· Lawrence M. Friedman, ‘On Legalistic Reasoning: A Foot Note to Weber’, (1966) 148, Wisconsin Law Review, 148-171.

· Aldo Schiavone, The Invention of Law in the West (Harvard University Press, 2012).   

· Andre Tunc, ‘The Grand Outlines of the Code Napoleon’, (1955) Tulane Law Review 29.

· Chung Hui Wang, German Civil Code (Stevens and Sons, 1907).

2. See Tutorial 2

Seminars 8-9:

Chinese legal system

Overview of topics:

· Historical background

· Penal code of the Tang dynasty

· General Principles 1984, the Contract Law 1999, the Property Law 2007, the Tort Law 2009

· Civil Code of the People’s Republic of China 2020

· Rationale for codification

· Problems raised in the codification process

· The structure of family law – family law versus the Law of Relatives

· Personality rights

· Commercial law

· Intellectual Property

· General principles in the Civil Code

Independent work:

Recommended reading:

· Ganghua Yu, The Development of the Chinese Legal System: Changes and Challenges (Routledge, 2011).

· Ptiman B. Potter, The Chinese Legal System: Globalization and Local Legal Culture (Routledge, 2001).

· Civil Code of the P.R.C 2020 (English Translation).

· Charles Hucker, A Dictionary of Official Titles in Imperial China (Southern Materials Center Inc, 1985).

· Fei Xiaotong, From the Soil: The Foundations of Chinese Society (University of California Press, 1992).

· Jinfan Zhang, The Tradition and Modern Transition of Chinese Law (Springer, 2014).

· Lin Li, The Chinese Road of the Rule of Law (Springer, 2018).

· T’ung Tsu Chü, Law and Society in Traditional China (The Commercial Press, 2011).

· Ta Tsing Leu Lee, Being the Fundamental Laws, and a Selection from the Supplementary Statutes of the Penal Code of China (CUP, 2013).

· The Constitution Law of the People’s Republic of China 2004.

· William C Jones, Tianquan Cheng and Yongling Jiang, The Great Qing Code (Clarendon Press, 1994).

· Wallace Johnson, The T’ang Code: Volume 1 General Principles (Princeton University Press, 1979).

· Wallace Johnson, The T’ang Code: Volume 2 Specific Articles (Princeton University Press, 1997).

· Lei Chen and CH van Rhee, Towards a Chinese Civil Code: Comparative and Historical Perspectives (Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, 2012).

· Xin Chunying, Chinese Legal System & Current Legal Reform (KAS Schriftenreihe, 1999).

Seminar 10:

Tort

Overview of topics:

· Overview of course assessment

· Definition of tort law

· Windfield’s definition

· Black’s law dictionary definition

· Categories of tortious actions

· Extra-contractual responsibility

· Categories in Justinian’s Corpus Iuris Civilis 

· Gaius’ categories

· Difference between tort and a delict

· Roman law delicts and quasi-deilcts

· Common law tortious actions classification

· Difference between common and civil law approaches to tort law

· Extra-contractual responsibility in the Chinese Civil Code – Book VII Tort liability and Book IV Personality Rights

· Evolution of tort law

· Twelve Tables, Lex Aquilia, and the Corpus Iuris Civilis

· Modern civil codes – Napoleonic and German Civil Code

· Common law – writ and Donoghue v Stevenson

· Comparison of requirements of a tortious act

· Damage in the Lex Aquilia, contemporary civil codes, the Draft Common Framework of Reference (DCFR) and Chinese Civil Code

· Causation definition, and comparison of models

· Culpa

· Separation of tort law from criminal law

· Negligence liability in contemporary civil codes and the DCFR

· Standards of negligence

Independent work:

1. Conduct further research into one of these contemporary topics, identifying the current debates in the area and forming your own opinion on them:

· Product liability

· Environment liability

· Pure economics loss

· Overlap between contractual liability and non-contractual liability

· Sport injury liability

2. Recommended reading:

· Mathias Reimann and Reinhard Zimmermann, The Oxford Handbook of Comparative Law (2 edn OUP, 2006) Chapter 31.

· André Tunc (ed), International Encyclopedia of Comparative Law (vol XI, 1971 – 1981).

· Frederick H. Lawson and Basil Markesinis, Tortious Liability for Unintentional Harm in the Common Law and the Civil Law (vol 1, CUP, 1982).

· Reinhard Zimmermann, The Law of Obligations: Roman Foundations of the Civilian Tradition (OUP, 1996), 902ff.

· Christian von Bar, The Common European Law of Torts (English translation, vol 1, 1998; vol II, 2000).

· European Group on Tort Law, Principles of European Tort Law (2005).

· Helmut Koziol, Basic Questions of Tort Law from a Comparative Perspective (Jan Sramek Verlag KG Wien, 2015).

· Stanford Enyclopedia of Philosophy, ‘Theories of the Common Law of Torts’ (17 December 2015), available at https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/tort-theories/.

· Saul Levmore, ‘Rethinking Comparative Law: Variety and Uniformity in Ancient and Modern Tort Law’ (1986) 61 Tulane Law Review 235.

· Bussani and Sebok, Comparative Tort Law: Global Perspectives (Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd, 2015).

· Metzger, ‘Actions’, in E. Metzger, ed., A Companion to Justinian's Institutes (London: Gerald Duckworth and Co., Ltd, and New York: Cornell University Press, 1997).

· E. Metzger, ‘An Outline of Roman Civil Procedure’, (2013) 9 Roman Legal Tradition, 1-30.

· E. Metzger, ‘Roman Judges, Case Law, and Principles of Procedure’, (2004) 22(2) Law and History Review, 243-275.

· Thomas McGinn, Obligations in Roman Law: Past, Present and Future (University of Michigan Press, 2012).

· William Turpin, ‘Formula, Cognitio and Proceedings Extra Ordinem’ (1999) 46(3) Revue Internationale Des Droits De L’antiquité, 499-574.

· Schiller, Roman Law: Mechanisms of Development (De Gruyter, 1978), Chapter VI Legis Actiones.

3. See Tutorial 3

Seminar 11:

Contract

Overview of topics:

· Significance of comparative contract law

· Draft Common Framework of Reference (DCFR)

· Principles of European Contract Law (PECL)

· Methods of comparative contract law

· Evolution of the contract in legal history

· Gaius and Justinian’s Digest

· Obligationem contrahere

· Quintus Mucius Scaevola

· Roscoe Pound

· Actus and contractus

· Comparisons in contract law

· Definition of a contract

· French Civil Code articles 1101-1106

· German Civil Code and common law

· DCFR II-1:101

· Requirements of the validity of a contract

· Consensus between the parties, capacity, consideration or causa, formal requirements, legitimacy and real consensus

· DCFR II-4:101

· Contractual interpretation

· French Civil Code and the will theory

· Parol evidence rule

· Plain meaning rule

· DCFR II-8:101

· Case study: Chartbrook Limited v Persimmon Homes Limited

Independent work:

1. Prepare to discuss your domestic country’s approach to this topic.

2. Recommended reading:

· Arthur von Mehren (ed), International Encyclopedia of Comparative Law (vol VII, 1974 ff).

· G. H. Treitel, Remedies for Breach of Contract (Clarendon Press, 1988).

· James Gordley, The Philosophical Origins of Modern Contract Doctrine (Clarendon Press, 1993).

· Reinhard Zimmermann, The Law of Obligations: Roman Foundations of the Civilian Tradition (Clarendon Press, 1996).

· Reinhard Zimmermann, Roman Law, Contemporary Law, European Law: The Civillian Tradition Today (OUP, 2001).

· Konrad Zweigert and Hein Kötz, Einführungin die Rechtsvergleichung (3rd edn, Mohr Siebeck, 1996. English translation under the title An Introduction to Comparative Law by Tony Weir, 1998).

· Hein Kötz, Europäisches Vertragsrecht (vol I, 1996, English translation under the title European Contract Law by Tony Weir, 1997).

· David Ibbetson, A Historical Introduction to the Law of Obligations (OUP, 1999).

· Reinhard Zimmermann and Simon Whittaker (eds), Good Faith in European Contract Law (CUP, 2000).

· James Gordley, The Philosophical Origins of Modern Contract Doctrine， (Clarendon Press, 1991).

· Ruth Sefton-Green (ed), Mistake, Fraud and Duties to Inform in European Contract Law (CUP, 2005).

· Reinhard Zimmermann, The New German Law of Obligations: Historical and Comparative Perspectives (OUP, 2005).

· Michael Joachim Bonell, An International Restatement of Contract Law (Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, 2009).

· Rodolfo Sacco, Introduzione al diritto comparative (UTET Giuridica, 2019).

· Study Group on a European Civil Code, Research Group on EC Private Law (Acquis Group), Principles, Definitions and Model Rules of European Private Law: Draft Common Frame of Reference (DCFR) (Outline Edition: European law publishers, 2009).

3. See Tutorial 4

Seminar 12:

Family

Overview of topics:

· Importance of comparative family law

· Nature of comparative family law

· Industrial revolution and the concept of family law

· Value and aim of comparative family law

· International significance

· International Society of Family Law

· International Association of Comparative Law

· Historic evolution of family law

· Familia in Roman law

· Ulpian D.50.16.195.2

· Family in the Twelve Tables (5.4 and 5.5)

· Domus 

· Middle ages and eorge Dubin

· Narrowing of the scope of family in 13^th century

· 18^th century and post-Industrial Revolution: separation of productive activity from the family

· Examples in comparative family law

· Conception of the family in the East and the West

· Marriage in the East and the West

· Divorce in the East and the West

· Case study: Obergefell v. Hodges, 576 U.S. 644 (2015)

Independent work:

1. Recommended reading:

· Mary Glendon, The Transformation of Family Law: State Law and Family in the United States and Western Europe (University of Chicago Press, 1989).

· Theresa Glennon, ‘Family Law in the United States: Freedom and Inequality’ in Choudry and Herring, The Cambridge Companion to Comparative Family Law (CUP, 2019).

· Keith Morgan, Essential Family Law (Routledge, 1997).

· Helen L Connway, Family Law: Key Facts, Key Cases (Taylor and Francis, 2013).

· Georges Duby, Rural Economy and Country Life in the Medieval West (University of Pennsylvania Press, 1998).

· Jens M Scherpe, ‘Comparative Family Law’ in Oxford Handbook of Comparative Law (2nd edn OUP, 2019).

· Mary Ann Glendon, The Transformation of Family Law: State, Law and Family in the United States and Western Europe (University of Chicago Press, 1989).

· American Law Institute, Principles of the Law of Family Dissolution: Analysis and Recom-mendations (2002).

· Principles on European Family Law Regarding Divorce and Maintenance Between Former Spouses (2004).

· Principles on European Family Law Regarding Parental Responsibilities (2007).

· Principles on European Family Law Regarding Property Relations Between Spouses (2013).

· Ingeborg Schwenzer, Model Family Code (2006).

· Aleck Chloros, Max Rheinstein, and Mary Ann Glendon (eds), Persons and Family, International Encyclopedia of Comparative Law, vol IV (2007).

· Jens M. Scherpe (ed), Marital Agreements and Private Autonomy in Comparative Perspective (Bloomsbury Publishing, 2012).

· D. Marianne Blair, Merle H. Weiner, Barbara Start, and Solangel Maldonado, Family Law in the World Community: Cases, Materials, and Problems in Comparative and International Family Law (Carolina Academic Press, 2015).

· Ann Laquer Estin (ed), International Family Law (2016), a two-volume collection with reprints of seminal family law articles.

2. Preparation for Tutorial 5

Seminar 13:

Succession and inheritance

Overview of topics:

· The rationale and development of the law of succession

· The social rationale: successions and family as an institutional concept

· The economic rationale: inheritance and preservation/division of patrimony

· The Roman law foundations of modern successions’ law

· The modern paradigm: French revolution and the triumph of the individualist and “egalitarian” approach

· Key concepts of successions’ law in comparative perspective

· Secular vs. religious/traditional approach to wealth inheritance and social groups’ organization

· Freedom of testament vs. No-freedom of testament

· “Forced” heirship vs. “free” heirship

· The “quality” of the legal notion of heir and its development according to the evolution of familial relations and groups (e.g. non-married couples, same-sex unions, etc.)

· Formality of succession’s acts (e.g. formal requirements of will)

· The protection of communal and relational interests in the law of successions

· Successions and trusts

· Contemporary developments and future issues for comparative law of successions

· The international law of successions and the Hague Conventions

· Harmonization of successions’ law in the European Union

· Resistance and development of traditional models of successions’ law

· The Book on Successions of the Chinese civil code: integration of Roman law theoretical structures with Chinese cultural values.

· Conclusion: why do we use comparative science to research successions’ law?

Independent work:

Recommended reading:

· M. de Waal, Comparative Succession Law, in M. Reimann, R. Zimmermann (eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Comparative Law (Oxford University Press, 2019) , pp.1072-1100.

· G. Pelletier Jr., ‘A Comparative Analysis of Civil Law Succession’, (1966) 11 Villanova Law Review, 323-356.

· VV. AA., Inheritance Laws in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries (Law Library of Congress, 2014).

· R. Scalise Jr., ‘New Developments in Succession Law: The U.S. Report’, (2010) 14(2) Electronic Journal of Comparative Law, 103-124.

· P. Terner, ‘Perspectives of a European Law of Succession’, (2007) 14(2) MJ, 147-178.

· L. Ruggeri, I. Kunda, S. Winkler (eds.), Family Property and Succession in EU Member States National Reports on the Collected Data, Pravnifakultet University of Rijeka, Faculty of Law, 2019.

· R. Sacco, Antropologia Giuridica(Mulino, 2007), pp. 260-261.

· Reg. EU, n. 650/2012

Tutorial

Tutorial 1: Contemporary Legal Systems

Required Reading:

· Rene David, Major legal systems in the world today (3rd edn, Stevens & Sons, 1985)

· Adams v Lindsell (1818) 1B & ALD 681

Questions for Discussion:

In advance of the seminar, please prepare a 10-minute presentation on a national legal system of your choosing.

Additionally, please read Adams and consider the differing approaches to the postal rule in civil and common law systems.

Tutorial 2:

Codification

Required Reading:

· Fernanda Pirie, The Anthropology of Law (Oxford University Press, 2013) Chapter 6: ‘Legalism’ (pp. 131-157).

· David D’Avray, Max Weber and Comparative Legal History, in Andrew Lewis & Michael Lobban (eds.), Law and History (OUP, 2004).

· Kaius Tuori, Weber and the Ideal of Roman Law, in Andrew Lewis & Michael Lobban (eds.), Law and History (OUP, 2004).

Questions for Discussion:

Conduct some independent research on one of these six topics to discuss in the tutorial:

· What is the taxonomy of the codification? (For example, the structure and the organisation of content of the chapters of a code)

· What is the situation of codification in your country?

· What is the history of the codification in your country (this could consider important legislative moments or events where there is no single code)? What is the history of the making of the text?

· What are the sources of codes? Please choose an example to discuss.

· What are the philosophical or religious principles or foundations of codes/the code in your country?

· What are the characteristics of the codification in your country?

NB: When we speak of codification, we refer to both criminal and civil, unwritten and written law. You can discuss these ideas in history, theory and/or practice.

Tutorial 3:

Comparative Tort Law Case Study - Donoghue v Stevenson

As arguably the most famous tort case within the UK, Donoghue v Stevenson (1932) is a crucial point in negligence and personal injury compensation history within the common law world. Ahead of the class, please familiarize yourself with this case, engage with the reading, and prepare a response to the questions below.

Recommended Reading:

· Paul Mitchell, A Histofy of Tort Law 1900-1950 (CUP, 2015).

· Kirsty Horsey and Erika Rackley, Tort Law (6th edn, OUP, 2019) – primarily part I

· Charles Mitchell and Paul Mitchell, Landmark Cases in the law of Tort (Hart, 2010).

· Francis Buller, An Introduction to the Law Relative to Trials at Nisi Prius (W. Strahan and M. Woodfall, 1772).

· Winterbottom v Wright (1842) 10 M&W 109.

· Allan C. Hutchinson, ‘Some What If Thoughts: Notes on Donoghue v Stevenson’ (2014) 51 Osgoode Hall L J, 701-712.

· Robin Evans-Jones and Helen Scott, ‘Lord Atkin, Donoghue v Stevenson and the Lex Aquilia: Civilian Roots of the ‘Neighbour’ Principle’ in Paul Du Plessis, Wrongful Damage to Property in Roman Law: British Perspectives (Edinburgh University Press, 2018).

· P. T. Burns (ed), Donoghue v Stevenson and the Modern Law of Negligence (Continuing Legal Education Society of British Columbia, 1991).

· F. H. Lawson, ‘The Duty of Care in Negligence: A Comparative Study’ (1947-1948) 22 Tulane Law Review 111.

· J. G. Fleming, ‘Remoteness and Duty: The Control Devices in Liability for Negligence’ (1953) 31 Canadian Bar Review 471.

· Consumer Protection Act 1987.

· Caparo Industries plc v Dickman [1990] UKHL 2.

· Robinson v Chief Constable of West Yorkshire [2018] UKSC 4.

· James-Bowen v Commissioner of Police [2018] UKSC 40.

Questions for Discussion:

Summarise the key facts, the legal arguments, the decision and its reasoning of Donoghue v Stevenson:

· What was Lord Atkin’s reasoning for his decision?

· What was the reasoning for the dissent?

· What is the significance of this case? Does it maintain any significance despite being replaced by the Consumer Protection Act?

· What was the structure of negligence liability in the UK pre-Donoghue?

· How did case law apply and evolve the principles outlined in Donoghue? Notably, what was the contribution of Caparo?

· What is the current approach to negligence in England and Wales?

· How does this approach differ from civilian approaches? Choose one civil law system and compare this element of tort law in each.

Tutorial 4: Comparative Contract Law Case Study – Chartbrook v Persimmon

While civilian law systems often seek to give priority to the will of the parties within a contract, common law systems often take a textual approach to a contract (See Article 4.1 of the Unidroit Principles of International Commercial Contracts, 2010 edition, for an example of civilian contractual interpretation). Chartbrook v Persimmon is a leading UK case on contractual interpretation, and this tutorial aims to offer an insight into methods of contractual interpretation.

Recommended Reading

· Chartbrook Limited v Persimmon Homes Limited [2009] UKHL 38

· James Gordley, ‘Contract’, in Peter Cane and Mark Tushnet (eds), The Oxford Handbook of Legal Studies (OUP, 2003), 3ff.

· Wood v Capita Insurance Services Limited [2017] UKSC 24

· James Gordley (ed), The Enforceability of Promises in European Contract Law (CUP, 2001).

· Michel Fontaine (ed), Le processus de formation du contrat (Bruylant, 2002).

· E. Allan Farnsworth, ‘Comparative Contract Law’ in OHCL (OUP, 2006).

· P. Monateri, Comparative Contract Law (Edward Elgar, 2017).

· Thomas Graziano, Comparative Contract Law: Cases, Materials and Exercises (Palgrave, 2009).

· Byres v Kendle (2011) 243 CLR 253

· Prenn v Simmonds [1971] 1 WLR 1381 HL (notably see Lord Wilberforce’s judgment)

· Lord Nicholls, ‘My Kingdom for a Horse: The Meaning of Words’ (2005) 121 LQR, 577-581.

· David McLauchlan, ‘Contract Interpretation: What is it about?’ (2009) 31(1) Sydney Law Review, 5-51.

· P. S. Atiyah, The Rise and Fall of Freedom of Contract (OUP, 1979).

· Richard Calnan, Principles of Contractual Interpretation (2nd edn, OUP, 2017) - notably ‘Part 1 The Guiding Principle’.

· Helen Winkelmann, Susan Glazebrook and Ellen France, ‘Contractual Interpretation’ (2020) 51 VUWLR, 463-518.

Questions for Discussion

· Summarise the key facts, the legal arguments, the decision and its reasoning of Chartbrook v Persimmon.

· Compare the approaches to contractual interpretation of common and civil law systems, giving examples of approaches in a few different countries’ legal systems.

· In your opinion, should contracts be interpreted subjectively or objectively? What are the policy reasons and arguments for each method?

· What place should be given to freedom of contract?

Tutorial 5: Comparative Family Law

Recommended Reading:

· Mary Ann Glendon, Volume IV: Persons and Family (2007) in the International Encyclopedia of Comparative Law

· Surveys of recent years from the International Society of Family Law

· Dieter Schwab, Familienrecht (Beck CH, 2008).

· Jens M. Scherpe (ed), European Family Law (four vols, 2016).

-Vol I: The Impact of Institutions and Organisations on European Family Law (2016).

- Vol II: The Changing Concept of ‘Family’ and Challenges for Domestic Family Law (2016)

- Vol III: Family Law in a European Perspective (2016)

- Vol IV: The Present and Future of European Family Law (2016)

· Harry Krause, Lind Elrod and J. Oldham, Family Law: Cases, Comments, and Questions (8th edn, Foundation Press, 2017).

· Max Rheinstein, Marriage Stability, Divorce, and the Law (University of Chicago Press, 1972).

· John Eekelaar, Family Law and Social Policy (Weidenfeld and Nicolson, 1984).

· Mary Ann Glendon, The New Family and the New Property (Butterworth & Co, 1981).

· Mary Ann Glendon, Abortion and Divorce in Western Law (Hardvard University Press, 1987).

· Obergefell v. Hodges, 576 U.S. 644 (2015).

Questions for Discussion:

· It is often seen that the West is more open to marriage while, in China, the legal age for consent is very high. Why do you think this is?

· What is the legal age for marriage in your country?

· What are your thoughts on same-sex marriage?

· What is the approach of your country to same-sex marriage and why?

· What differences do you see between divorce in the East and in the West, and what do you think of these differences?

· Why is the West more open-minded and liberal on marriage, yet more strict on divorce?

· What do you think about the legalization of homosexual marriage?

· Does the family composed or based on homosexual marriage meet the function of the family in a society of human beings?

· What is the real meaning of the process of legalization of homosexual marriage?

Tutorial 6:

Application of Roman Law Presentations 

Recommended reading 

· King v Dubrey and others [2015] EWCA Civ 581

· Indian Oil Corporation Ltd v Greenstone Shipping S.A (Panama) [1988] QB 345

· Sloans Dairies Limited v Glasgow Corporation (Scotland) [1977] SC 223

· Neville Lewis v Attorney General of Jamaica and another [2001] 2 AC

· Uratemp Ventures Ltd v Colins [2001] UKHL 43

· Regina v Lambert [2001] UKHL 37

· Shilliday v Smith [1998] SC 725

· McDyer v The Celtic Football and Athletic Co Ltd [2000] SC 379

· Galbraith v HM Advocate [2002] JC 1

· Krulewitch v United States 336 US 440 [1949]

Further Reading:

· Peter Stein, ‘The influence of Roman Law on the common law’ (1957) 23 the Law of Scotland, 165-169.

· Peter Stein, ‘Roman Law, Common Law, and Civil Law’ (1991-1992) 66 Tul L Rev, 1591-1603.

· Reinhard Zimmermann, The Law of Obligations: Roman Foundations of the Civilian Tradition (Clarendon Press, 1996).

· H. Jolowicz, Roman Foundations of Modern Law (Clarendon Press, 1957).

Questions for Discussion:

For this tutorial, please select one of the cases from the recommended reading and prepare to present its contribution. This should include:

· The facts, arguments of the parties

· The Roman law principle applied

· The contribution of this principle to the case

· The decision and contribution of the case

· A comparative discussion of where this Roman law principle is applied within the civilian tradition