The CCBE has thrown its weight behind efforts to make European contract law more coherent.


In a resolution adopted at the plenary in Brussels, it said it is in 'full support' of the European Commission's attempt to create a so-called common frame of reference that would mitigate the differences between conflicting directives. The commission hopes the initiative will iron out inconsistencies in the implementation of directives at a national level.



The CCBE also signalled its willingness to co-operate with the commission and the European Parliament on the issue by lending its practical and academic expertise.

Diana Wallis, a Liberal Democrat member of the European Parliament (MEP) and solicitor, told delegates in a keynote speech that the European contract law project had 'real importance'.



'In terms of EU law, we are in a bit of a higgledy-piggledy mess,' she said. 'If you are really going to make the internal market work properly, you have got to have a coherent contract law.'



However, she acknowledged that there were practical problems to be overcome. 'People are very passionate about their own legal systems, tradition and culture. That's why the European Union has tended to legislate in a very muddled way.'



She also warned that the political agenda in the EU was dominated by justice issues, at the expense of civil and commercial law.



Ms Wallis said the commission is expected to make an announcement shortly on the contract law project's future. 'Most of us (MEPs) are optimistic that this will have the continued high profile it deserves,' she said