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CONFLICT OF LAWS
Second Edition
John O'Brien, MA, LLB, LLM, BarristerLecturer in Law, University of Hertfordshire
CavendishPublishing
Limited
London • Sydney
CONTENTS
Preface viiTable of Cases xxvTable of Statutes IxiTable of European Legislation IxxiiiTable of Other Legislation IxxviiiGlossary Ixxix
PARTI
1 INTRODUCTION 3
INTERNATIONAL LAW 3
THE CONFLICT OF LAWS 5
THE RATIONALE 7
THE HISTORY 10
THE CONTENT 16Introduction 16Jurisdiction 17Classification 20Choice of law 22Application of law 24Foreign judgments 25Proof of foreign law 26Jurisdiction selection and rule selection 26True and false conflicts 28
THE CHANGING NATURE OF THE SUBJECT 29
2 THE POSSIBILITIES FOR CHOICE OF LAW 33
INTRODUCTION 33
THE PERSONAL LAW 34The national law 35The domestic law 36
Presence 37Residence 37
Habitual residence 39Domicile 41The religious law 42Conclusion 43
Conflict of Laws
THE LAW OF THE PLACE 45Introduction 46Lex loci celebrationis 46Lex loci contractus 47Lex loci solutionis 48Lex loci delicti commissi 49Lex situs 50Conclusion 52
THE TRANSACTIONAL LAW 52What connections are relevant? 53Do only factual connections count? 54How are the contacts to be weighed? 55
THE LAW CHOSEN BY THE PARTIES 56
MORE SOPHISTICATED APPROACHES 59
CONCLUSIONS 63
3 DOMICILE 65
THE NATURE OF DOMICILE 65
THE PRINCIPLES OF THE LAW OF DOMICILE 66
THE DOMICILE OF CHOICE 67General principles 67Particular cases 74
The terminally ill 74Prisoners 75Refugees 75Fugitives from justice 75Invalids 75Diplomats, employees, military forces 76
THE DOMICILE OF ORIGIN 76General principles 76The enduring nature of the domicile of origin ''Revival of the domicile of origin 79
THE DOMICILE OF DEPENDENCE 8 0
Married women 81Children 8 2
Mental disorder 83
Contents
THE NATURE OF CORPORATE PERSONALITYPresenceResidenceDomicileNationality
REFORM OF THE LAW OF DOMICILE
NATIONALITY AND HABITUAL RESIDENCE
8484848585
86
88
4 CLASSIFICATION 91
INTRODUCTION 91
CLASSIFICATION AS TO THE CAUSE OF ACTION 93
CLASSIFICATION OF CONNECTING FACTORS 94
CLASSIFICATION OF A RULE OF LAW 95Classification of a rule of English law 96Classification of a rule of foreign law 97
The requirement of parental consent 97Bona vacantia 98Other instances 99
THEORIES AS TO CLASSIFICATION 99
5 THE INCIDENTAL QUESTION 103
WHAT IS AN INCIDENTAL QUESTION? 103
THE EXPERIENCE OF THE CASE LAW 106Cases concerning remarriage 106Succession 109
DEPECAGE 109
6 SUBSTANCE AND PROCEDURE 113
THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN SUBSTANCE AND PROCEDURE 113
STATUTES OF LIMITATION 115The experience at common law 115The statutory regime 118
THE LAW OF EVIDENCE 119
Conflict of Laws
The admissibility of evidence 119Witnesses 120The burden of proof 120Presumptions 121Evidence and other jurisdictions 121
PARTIES 122
THE NATURE OF THE REMEDY 123
DAMAGES 124Remoteness of damage 125Measure of damages 126
JUDGMENTS IN A FOREIGN CURRENCY 127The old rule at common law 127The evolution of the Miliangos rule • 128Part I of the Private International Law
(Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1995 131
7 RENVOI 133
INTRODUCTION 133
POSSIBLE APPROACHES TO RENVOI 134Apply the internal law: the rejection of renvoi 135Partial or single renvoi 136Total renvoi 137
THE APPLICATION OF THE DOCTRINE OF RENVOI 139
THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF RENVOI 140
8 THE PROOF OF FOREIGN LAW 145
THE NATURE OF FOREIGN LAW I 4 5
HOW FOREIGN LAW IS PROVED I 4 6
WHO CAN TESTIFY AS TO FOREIGN LAW? 147
THE ROLE OF THE COURT IN RESPECT OF FOREIGN LAW 148
OTHER STATUTORY PROVISIONS 1 4 9
Contents
9 EXCLUSION OF FOREIGN LAW 151
INTRODUCTION 151
FOREIGN REVENUE LAWS 152The prohibition on direct enforcement 152The prohibition on indirect enforcement 153Recognition of a foreign revenue law 154
FOREIGN PENAL LAWS 155The prohibition on the enforcement of foreign penal laws 155Examples of the prohibition on the enforcement of a penal law 156
OTHER PUBLIC LAWS 158
FOREIGN EXPROPRIATION LEGISLATION 160
FOREIGN LAWS CONTRARY TO ENGLISH PUBLIC POLICY 167Where English conceptions of morality are violated 169Where English conceptions of justice are violated 169Where the contract prejudices the UK in its conduct
of foreign affairs 170Where a foreign law or a status violates English
conceptions of human rights 170
PART II
10 THE JURISDICTION OF THE ENGLISH COURTS:AN INTRODUCTION 175
PRELIMINARY MATTERS 175
CRIMINAL JURISDICTION 177
CrVTL JURISDICTION IN ENGLAND 178Civil actions generally 178
The different regimes 179Jurisdiction under the traditional rules 179Jurisdiction under the Brussels Convention 180Jurisdiction under the Modified Convention 180Jurisdiction under the Lugano Convention 180
Conflict of Laws
11 JURISDICTION: THE TRADITIONAL RULES
INTRODUCTION
PRESENCEIndividualsPartnershipsCorporations
SUBMISSION TO THE JURISDICTION
THE EXTENDED JURISDICTION UNDER THE RULES OFTHE SUPREME COURTThe general principlesThe specific categories
181
181
181182184184
186
188188190
12 STAYS OF ENGLISH PROCEEDINGS AND THERESTRAINING OF FOREIGN PROCEEDINGS 199
STAYS OF ENGLISH PROCEEDINGS 199Forum non conveniens 199Where there is a foreign jurisdiction clause 207
THE RESTRAINING OF FOREIGN PROCEEDINGS 210Introduction 210The infringement of a legal or equitable right 212The bringing of proceedings abroad would be
unconscionable 213
STAYS OF ENGLISH PROCEEDINGS AND RESTRAININGFOREIGN PROCEEDINGS UNDER THE TERMS OF THEBRUSSELS AND LUGANO CONVENTIONS 218
13 JURISDICTION UNDER THE BRUSSELS ANDLUGANO CONVENTIONS 223
THE BRUSSELS CONVENTION 223Introduction 223Interpretation 224The ambit of the Conventions 226Civil and commercial matters 227The domicile of the defendant 230The general basis of jurisdiction under the Brussels
Convention 1968 and the Lugano Convention 1988 231
Contents
Special jurisdiction under the Brussels Convention 1968and the Lugano Convention 1988ContractsMaintenanceTortsCompensation orders from criminal courtsDisputes arising out of the operation of a branch
or agency or other establishmentTrustsMultiple defendantsInsuranceConsumer contracts
Exclusive jurisdictionProrogation of jurisdiction
SubmissionAgreements on jurisdiction
The role of the court under the Brussels Convention
THE MODIFIED CONVENTION: ALLOCATION OFJURISDICTION WITHIN THE UK
THE LUGANO CONVENTION
14 RECOGNITION AND ENFORCEMENT OF FOREIGNJUDGMENTS: THE TRADITIONAL RULES
INTRODUCTION
THE THEORETICAL BASIS FOR RECOGNITIONAND ENFORCEMENT
THE RECOGNITION AND ENFORCEMENT OF JUDGMENTSAT COMMON LAWThere must be a court of competent jurisdiction
IntroductionResidencePresence or residence of corporationsSubmission
The judgment must be final and conclusiveThe judgment must be for a fixed sum
DEFENCES AND NON-DEFENCES TO RECOGNITIONAND ENFORCEMENTIntroductionNatural justiceFraudRecognition contrary to public policy
233234236237239
240241241243244245251252253255
257
258
261
261
263
264265265266267269271272
274274275277281
Conflict of Laws
Conflicting judgments 282Judgment invalid under foreign law because of lack of
internal competence. 282A foreign judgment given in breach of an arbitration or
jurisdiction clause 283Multiple damages 284Discovery of fresh evidence 284
STATUTORY REGIMES FOUNDED UPON COMMON LAW 285Introduction 285Administration of Justice Act 1920 285Foreign Judgments (Reciprocal Enforcement) Act 1933 287
15 RECOGNITION AND ENFORCEMENT UNDER THEBRUSSELS AND LUGANO CONVENTIONS 291
INTRODUCTION 291
JUDGMENTS FALLING WITHIN TITLE ffl 292
RECOGNITION AND ENFORCEMENT 294
DEFENCES TO RECOGNITION AND ENFORCEMENT 296Public policy 296Natural justice 298Irreconcilable judgments 301Rulings on preliminary issues 302Appeals and other matters 303Relationship with other conventions 303
THE LUGANO CONVENTION 304
THE RECOGNITION AND ENFORCEMENT OF JUDGMENTSWTTHINTHEUK 305
PART III
16 THE LAW OF CONTRACT 307
INTRODUCTION 307
THE COMMON LAW APPROACH 309Express choice of law 309Implied choice of law 311Closest and most real connection 312Conclusion 313
Contents
THE ROME CONVENTION 314The scope of the Rome Convention 315Questions involving the status or legal capacity of natural
persons, without prejudice to Art 11 318Matters relating to wills, succession, matrimonial property
and family relationships 319Bills of Exchange, cheques and negotiable instruments 320Arbitration agreements and agreements on the choice of court 321Corporate and incorporate status 322Agency 323Trusts 323Evidence and procedure, without prejudice to Art 14 324Contracts of insurance covering risks in the European
Community 324Nullity 325
Interpretation 325The universal nature of the Rome Convention 327
THE CHOICE OF THE GOVERNING LAW 328Express choice 328Choice demonstrated with reasonable certainty 331
The use of a standard form of contract 331When there are previous dealings between the parties 331Where there is a jurisdiction or arbitration clause 332Where a connected transaction includes an express
choice of law 332Where a contract expressly incorporates the rules
of a foreign legal system 333Splitting the applicable law 333Variation of choice 334Limitation on choice - single country contracts 335
THE APPLICABLE LAW IN DEFAULT OF CHOICE 339Presumption one - characteristic performance 340Presumption two - immovable property 342Presumption three - carriage of goods 343Non-application of the presumptions 344
THE SCOPE OF THE APPLICABLE LAW 345
PARTICULAR ASPECTS OF THE CONTRACT 347Material validity 347Formal validity 349Capacity 350
xvu
Conflict of Laws
MANDATORY RULES AND PUBLIC POLICY 351Mandatory rules 351
Article 7(1) 353Article 7(2) 354Where the statute contains no express provision as
to territorial ambit and no express provision as tooverriding rules 356
Where the statute expressly indicates that it is not tohave an overriding effect 356
Where the statute has an express provision as to itsterritorial scope but has no reference to overriding effect 356
Where the statute expressly provides that the overridingeffect is subject to limits 357
Where the statute expressly provides that theoverriding effect is absolute 357
Public policy 358
PARTICULAR CONTRACTS 360Consumer contracts 361Individual employment contracts 365
17 THE LAW OF TORT 371
INTRODUCTION 371
THE NATURE OF TORTIOUS LIABILITY 372
THE POSSIBLE APPROACHES 373
TORTS COMMITTED IN ENGLAND 375
THE PLACE WHERE THE TORT WAS COMMITTED AND THEPOSSIBLE LAWS 376The place where the tort is committed 376Theories as to the appropriate law 378
The law of the forum (lexfori) 379The law of the place of the tort (lex loci delicti commissi) 379The proper law of the tort 380
FOREIGN TORTS: THE POSITION AT COMMON LAW 381
THE JUDGMENT IN BOYS V CHAPLIN 388
THE COMMON LAW AFTER BOYS V CHAPLIN 394
THE CASE FOR REFORM 397
Contents
PRIVATE INTERNATIONAL LAW (MISCELLANEOUSPROVISIONS) ACT 1995The scope of P tmThe choice of law rulesThe exclusion of defamationPublic policyConclusion
THE RELATIONS BETWEEN CONTRACT AND TORT
400400401404404405
405
18 MARRIAGE 409
INTRODUCTION 409
THE CONCEPT OF MARRIAGE 410Voluntary 411Union 413For life 413Of one man and one woman 414To the exclusion of all others 416
CLASSIFICATION AND DEFECTS 416Void and voidable marriages 417Distinctions 419Particular cases 421
Parental consent to marry 421Proxy marriages 423
FORMAL VALIDITY 423The general principle in favour of the lex loci celebrationis 423Common law exceptions to compliance with the
lex loci celebrationis 426Where there are insuperable difficulties in complying
with the local law 427Marriages in countries under belligerent occupation 427
Marriages on the high seas 428Statutory exceptions 429
Consular marriages 429Marriages of members of British forces serving abroad 430
Renvoi 430
The role of the lex loci celebrationis 431
Conflict of Laws
ESSENTIAL VALIDITY 431The choice of law rules in respect of essential validity 432
The dual domicile doctrine 432The intended matrimonial home doctrine 434Combining the tests 436Real and substantial connection 437Validity under a single law 437A variable rather than a single rule 438
The lexfori and essential validity 439Defects and impediments 440
Consent of the parties 440Impotence and wilful refusal to consummate 442Parental consent 444Lack of age 445Prohibited degrees of relationship 447Previous marriage 448
Where the divorce is recognised in England but notby the law of the domicile 449
Where the divorce is recognised by the law of thedomicile but not by English law 451
Restrictions on the marriage of divorced persons 451Capacity to contract a polygamous marriage 452
POLYGAMOUS MARRIAGES 452Introduction 452Capacity of persons domiciled in England to contract
polygamous marriages 454Change in the nature of the marriage 459
Polygamy to monogamy 459Monogamy to polygamy 461
Recognition of polygamous marriage 462
19 MATRIMONIAL CAUSES 465
JURISDICTION OF THE ENGLISH COURTS 465Introduction 465Staying proceedings 467
Obligatory 468Discretionary 468
CHOICE OF LAW 471Divorce and separation 471Nullity 473
Contents
THE RECOGNITION OF DIVORCES AND LEGALSEPARATIONS 476Introduction 476The historical background 476Judicial divorces under the Family Law Act 1986 479
UK divorces 479Overseas divorces 479Extra-judicial divorces under the Family Law Act 1986 482
Transnational divorces 487
RECOGNITION OF FOREIGN NULLITY DECREES 489
REFUSAL OF RECOGNITION OF FOREIGN DIVORCES,ANNULMENTS AND LEGAL SEPARATIONS 490Resjudicata 490No subsisting marriage 491Want of notice of the proceedings 491Denial of an opportunity to take part in proceedings 492Absence of documentation in non-proceedings cases 492Recognition contrary to public policy 493
20 CHILDREN 495
INTRODUCTION 495
LEGITIMACY 495Introduction 495The recognition of the status of legitimacy 497Succession by legitimate persons 501Legitimation 503Recognition of foreign legitimations at common law 503Legitimation by statute under domestic law 505Recognition of foreign legitimations by statute 505Succession by legitimated persons 507
ADOPTION 508Introduction 508Jurisdiction to make an adoption order in England 509Convention adoptions 511Recognition of foreign adoptions 512The effect of a foreign adoption order 514
Conflict of Laws
CUSTODY 515Introduction 515Jurisdiction 516
Matrimonial proceedings 517Habitual residence 518The residual presence basis 518Emergency jurisdiction 518Declining jurisdiction and stays of proceedings 519Guardianship and inherent jurisdiction 519
Choice of law 520Recognition of foreign orders and the problem of abduction 521
Introduction 521The criminal law 522UK orders 523
The international aspect 523The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of Child
Abduction 1980 523Non-convention countries 531
DECLARATIONS 531Declarations as to marital status 532Declarations of parentage, legitimacy and legitimation 533Declarations as to foreign adoptions 533Effect of declarations 533
21 PROPERTY 535
JURISDICTION AND CHOICE OF LAW IN THELAW OF PROPERTY 535Introduction 535The distinction between movable and immovable property 536Jurisdiction of the English courts in property cases 541
The rules at common law 541The exceptions to the Mocambique rule 543The relevance of the Brussels Convention 546
General principles of the English conflict of laws on property 546
IMMOVABLE PROPERTY 549Jurisdiction 549Choice of law 549
The general presumption in favour of the lex situs 549Capacity to take and transfer immovables 551Formalities of alienation 553Contracts 553
Contents
THE TRANSFER OF TANGIBLE MOVABLESIntroduction
The law of the domicileThe law of the place of the act (lex loci actus)The proper law of the transfer (lex actus)The law where the chattel is situated (the law of the situs)
The operation of the general principle in favour of the lex situsThe meaning of the expression, 'the law of the situs'Change of situsReservation of titleGiftsState seizure
THE ASSIGNMENT OF INTANGIBLE MOVABLESIntroductionThe administration of estates
The lex situsThe lex actusThe proper law of the debtThe situs of an intangible movable
Voluntary assignmentsAssignability: is the interest assignable at all?The validity of the assignment: the contractual questionThe assignment: proprietary questions
Involuntary assignments
SUCCESSIONIntroduction
JurisdictionObtaining an English grantThe effect of an English grantChoice of lawForeign administratorsCommonwealth and other UK grants
Testate successionMovable property
The formal validity of willsCapacityInterpretationEssential validityRevocation
Immovable propertyImmovable property in EnglandForeign immovables
554554555556556557557560562563565565
567567577568568569570571571571573575577577577578578580580581582582582584585585587590590591
Conflict of Laws
Intestate succession
FAMILY PROPERTYIntroductionWhere there is no marriage contract or settlementWhere there is a marriage contract or settlement
FormalitiesCapacityEssential validity
TRUSTSIntroductionChoice of lawScope of the applicable lawThe recognition of trusts
The general provisionsExceptions
The variation of trusts
BibliographyIndex
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