This paper distinguishes five key interpretations of the argument presented by Wittgenstein in Philosophical Investigations I, §258. I also argue that on none of these five interpretations is the argument cogent. The paper is primarily concerned with the most popular interpretation of the argument: that which that makes it rest upon the principle that one can be said to follow a rule only if there exists a 'useable criterion of successful performance' (Pears) or 'operational standard of correctness' (Glock) for its (...) correct application. This principle, I suggest, is untrue. The private language argument upon which it rests therefore fails. (shrink)

The Yearbook of Private International Law series, an annual publication now published by Sellier. European Law Publishers in cooperation with the Swiss Institute of Comparative Law, provides analysis and information on private international law developments world-wide. This sixth volume looks rather "Euro-centric", due to the impressive and continuous rhythm at which the creation of a European system of PIL is progressing at the European Community level. Contributions include discussion of the proposal for a Rome II regulation (...) on conflict of laws in torts, as well as an analysis of the Avello decision, which could create a new framework for the development of PIL in Europe. Additional articles focus on the national conflict systems of some European states. An important comparative study discusses the treatment of foreign tax laws and judgments in four major European countriesâ??United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Italy. The actual and controversial issue of registered partnership is discussed from the perspective of Spanish law. Additionally, an English translation of the latest national PIL codificationâ??the recent Belgian Codeâ??is included. (shrink)

We provide a logical analysis of private international law, a rather esoteric, but increasingly important, domain of the law. Private international law addresses overlaps and conflicts between legal systems by distributing cases between the authorities of such systems (jurisdiction) and establishing what rules these authorities have to apply to each case (choice of law). A formal model of the resulting interactions between legal systems is proposed based on modular argumentation. It is argued that this model may (...) also be useful for governing the interactions between heterogeneous agents, belonging to different and differently regulated virtual societies, without recourse to a central regulatory agency. The model also provides for multiple interpretations concerning rules of private international law as well as substantive rules of the different legal systems. (shrink)

An entire thematic section of this volume is devoted to the "Rome II" Regulation on the law applicable to non-contractual obligations, which was adopted by the EC institutions in July 2007. Being the first EC regulation on pure applicable law issues, this.

With articles by Harry Duintjer Tebbens, David Goddard, Christoph Bernasconi, Bertrand Ancel and Frank Gerhard, Private International Law Issues in World War II Era Litigation, national reports from Germany and news from The Hague as well as texts, materials and recent developments.

This Article analyzes the interaction between the burden of proof and evidentiary discovery rules. Both sets of rules can affect incentives for prospective injurers to invest in evidence technology. This interaction becomes acutely important in the private international law setting, where jurisdictions are split on the question whether the burden of proof should be treated as a substantive or procedural matter. When a tort occurs in Europe, but the case is litigated in American courts, treating the burden of (...) proof as a procedural matter preserves the complementarity of incentives created by the burden of proof and evidentiary rules. Conversely, treating the burden of proof as a substantive matter creates a mismatch in incentives created by the burden of proof and evidentiary rules. (shrink)

2007 was arguably the most extraordinary year in recent memory for the development of Private International Law. Reflecting the vitality and fluidity of a subject that is in constant motion, Volume IX of the Yearbook of Private International Law is again a very rich and multi-faceted book. An entire thematic section of this volume is devoted to the "Rome II" Regulation on the law applicable to non-contractual obligations, which was adopted by the EC institutions in July (...) 2007. Being the first EC regulation on pure applicable law issues, this text opens up a new era in the process of creating a European PIL system. It deserved therefore a detailed commentary and analysis of its main provisions by experts from several EU States. Because of the interest that this European text presents for third party States, some distinguished scholars from non-European areas (the US, Japan, Latin America and Australia) were also asked to express their views on this important piece of Community legislation and the possible influence it may have on conflict developments in their respective countries and regions. (shrink)

This is a very special volume of the Yearbook of Private International Law as it represents the celebration of the tenth anniversary of its first publication. It continues to provide interesting information on the future evolution in private international law. Contents includes: The New Lugano Convention on Jurisdiction and the Recognition and Enforcement of Judgments of 30 October 2007. Commercial Agents under European Jurisdiction Rules. Grunkin-Paul and Beyond - A Seminal Case in the Field of (...) class='Hi'>International Family Law. The New Rome I / Rome II / Brussels I-Synergy. Rome I and Contracts on Intellectual Property. Rome I and Distribution Contracts. Rome I and Franchise Contracts. Rome I and Financial Market Contracts. Special Section on Maintenance Obligations. (shrink)

With articles by Katharina Boele-Woelki and Ronald H. van Ooik, Marc Fallon and Johan Meeusen and Maarit Jänterä-Jareborg, national reports from Canada, Russia, Belgium and China, reports on court decisions and news from The Hague, Rome and Washington as well as texts, materials and recent developments.

With articles by Eric Clive, Manuel Rui Moura Ramos, William Duncan, national reports from Australia, the United States, Italy, Macao and Brazil and news from The Hague as well as texts, materials and recent developments.

With articles by Symeon Symeonides, Ronald A. Brand, Andrea Bonomi, national reports from Korea, Bulgaria and Slovenia and news from The Hague and Brussels as well as texts, materials and recent developments.