Codifying Choice of Law Around the World: An International Comparative Analysis

Codifying Choice of Law Around the World chronicles, documents, and celebrates the extraordinary, massive codification of Private International Law (PrIL), or Conflict of Laws that has taken place in the last 50 years, from 1962-2012. During this period, the world has witnessed the adoption of nearly 200 PrIL codifications, EU Regulations, and international conventions---more than in all preceding years since the inception of PrIL. This book provides a horizontal comparison and discussion of these codifications and conventions, first by comparing the way they resolve tort and contract conflicts, and then by comparing the answers of these codifications to the fundamental philosophical and methodological dilemmas of PrIL. In the process, this book re-examines and dispels certain widely held assumptions about choice of law, and the art and science of codification in general.

Written by Symeon C. Symeonides, a renowned PrIL and comparative law expert with extensive first-hand experience in drafting codifications and advising other drafters, Codifying Choice of Law Around the World will serve as an indispensable point of reference for any serious study or discussion of PrIL, and comparative law.

Symeon C. Symeonides is the Alex L. Parks Distinguished Professor of Law and Dean Emeritus at Willamette University School of Law. He is a renowned expert in comparative conflicts law, having published over 24 books and more than 100 articles (in seven languages) on conflict of laws, and comparative private international law (PrIL). His work has been characterized as "brilliant" and "engrossing" receiving four scholarly prizes, including one for life-time achievement from the American Society of Comparative Law. Reviewers have called him "a conflicts giant," the "world's leading expert on comparative conflicts law," and the "father of codification." He drafted three path-breaking PrIL codifications (for Louisiana, Puerto Rico, and Oregon) and has provided legislative advice to the EU Parliament, the EU Council, and several national governments. He holds degrees in private and public law, and three honorary doctorates from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and an LL.M and an S.J.D from the Harvard Law School.