‘Choice of law’ as an unfair provision in consumer contracts concluded online Cover Image

Wybór prawa jako klauzula abuzywna w umowach konsumenckich zawieranych przez Internet
‘Choice of law’ as an unfair provision in consumer contracts concluded online

Author(s): Monika Jagielska, Aleksandra Kunkiel-Kryńska
Subject(s): Business Economy / Management, Commercial Law
Published by: Wydawnictwo Naukowe Wydziału Zarządzania Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego
Keywords: consumer contracts; choice of law; abusive clause; online sale; contracts concluded by the Internet; directed activity; international private law; Regulation Rome I

Summary/Abstract: An increased risk exists now related to the correct determination of the applicable law in consumer contracts (with an international aspect) concluded online. In case of a dispute regarding contracts between a consumer and a foreign entrepreneur, the consumer may face procedural difficulties. It is also possible that the law which has been applied, on the basis of the ‘choice of law’ clause, does not provide the type of protection which the consumer may have in his own place of residence. The Polish Supreme Court Such analysed this issue in a judgment dated 17 September 2014 (I CSK 555/13). The Court ruled therein that a clause in standard consumer contracts predetermining the application of law foreign to the consumer, but ‘domestic’ to the entrepreneur, should be considered an unfair contractual provision in light of Article 385(1) § 1 of the Polish Civil Code. The above mentioned ruling leads to the question if, in practice, the ‘choice of law’ clause is thus excluded in consumer transactions (B2C)

  • Issue Year: 5/2016
  • Issue No: 3
  • Page Range: 29-38
  • Page Count: 10
  • Language: Polish