Volume one of this set of two texts presents a detailed exposition of the relevant EC rules in contract law that are applicable throughout the European Union, regardless of the national law of the contract. No commentary has been added to the text, which should be regarded as an account of the present state of the law. The use of EC regulations and directives in private law is a relatively novel concept. A growing body of EC legislation has been adopted with a view to determining various contractual obligations which must be complied with. The book is divided into seven chapters, each covering a separate aspect of contractual relations. In each of these chapters, the content reflects as closely as possible the precise wording of the EC legislation, together with the precise wording of any relevant dicta of the European Court of Justice. The legislation relating to matters which are not strictly contractual, such as intellectual property, company law and taxation, have been excluded. Where legislation has been amended by subsequent treaties, regulations or directives, the amendments are incorporated in the text. The legislation in this volume is that which is available and published in the Official Journal of the European Communities as at 1 May 1997.