Ebook International Civil and Commercial Law as Founded Upon Theory, Legislation, and Practice

Since the translation of the works of Savigny and von Bar upon the Conflict of Laws or International Private Law ("Internationales Pivatrecht"), readers of the English language have had no opportunity to acquaint themselves with the theory and practice upon the subject which prevails outside their own immediate jurisdictions, - more especially on the Continent of Europe. Recently a number of events have transpired to introduce changes of far-reaching consequence in the doctrines recognized for the solution of legal conflict. Among the most important of these events may be cited the enactment of the German Civil Code with its Introductory Act, which came into force on January 1, 1900, the Japanese statute of 1898 upon the application of the laws in general, the Swiss statute of 1891 regulating the conflict of laws in detail, and, finally, most important of all, the International Conferences of The Hague of 1893, 1894, 1900, and 1904, in which most of the countries of Europe participated.

Although neither the United States nor England sent delegates to these conferences, considerable attention in both countries has been drawn to the treaties already ratified, as well as to those which are in draft. In England a body of jurists have appealed to their government to join in the deliberations of the conventions. In the United States the American Bar Association has evinced its interest by inviting the author to address the Congress of Law at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition upon the four conferences already held. It would seem doubtful whether either of the jurisdictions is prepared to join the treaty unions at this time, but it is not at all unlikely that at least delegates will be sent from both countries to future conferences.