Specific Performance in German, French and Dutch Law in the Nineteenth Century

The current French, German and Dutch Law of Contract each offer a remedy of specific performance to creditors suffering from breach of contract. This book analyses the alterations to this remedy during the nineteenth century on the substantive, procedural and enforcement levels. Fascinatingly, there is a link between changes to the remedy and the development of early human rights and the mass industrialisation of society. The latter had the effect of actually converging the national remedies of specific performance in the examined systems: damages and rescission became more accessible as remedies at the cost of specific performance. The book demonstrates the interdependency between law and society and provides vital background information to the harmonisation of a controversial concept in the European Law of Obligations. Studies in the History of Private Law, vol. 2.

Review:

Die werk bevat besonder interessante insigte oor die verhouding tussen reg en praktyk, soos geillustreer deur die geskiedenis van die remedie van spesifieke nakoming in sekere sivielregtelike stelsels in die negentiende eeu. Veral van belang is dat daar nie volstaan word met 'n blote analise van wetsbepalings en akademiese kommentaar nie, maar 'n besonder gedetailleerde uiteensetting van die regspraak gebied word. [ This work contains very interesting insights about the relationship between law and practice, as illustrated by the history of the remedy of specific performance in certain private law systems in the nineteenth century. It is of particular significance that the study is not confined to a mere analysis of statutory provisions and academic literature, but also contains detailed discussions of the relevant case law. ] Prof Jacques du Plessis, University of Stellenbosch