Actions for Contracts of Adhesion Between Law and Economics [electronic resource] : Rethinking the Unconscionability Doctrine

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Contracts of Adhesion Between Law and Economics [electronic resource] : Rethinking the Unconscionability Doctrine / by Elena D'Agostino

Author
D'Agostino, Elena, 1981-
Published
Cham : Springer International Publishing : Imprint: Springer, 2015.
Physical Description
VI, 79 pages : online resource
Additional Creators
SpringerLink (Online service)
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Contents
1. The Unconscionability Doctrine in a Law & Economics Perspective -- 2. Market structure -- 3. Lack of sophistication -- 4. Voluntary Disclosure of Clauses -- 5. Public Intervention -- 6. Concluding remarks.
Summary
This book examines the most controversial issues concerning the use of pre-drafted clauses in fine print, which are usually included in consumer contracts and presented to consumers on a take-it-or-leave-it basis. By applying a multi-disciplinary approach that combines consumer’s psychology and seller’s drafting power in the logic of efficiency and good faith, the book provides a fresh and unconventional analysis of the existing literature, both theoretical and empirical. Moving from the unconscionability doctrine, it criticizes (and in some cases refutes) its main conclusions based on criteria which are usually invoked to sustain the need for public intervention to protect consumers, and specifically related to Law (contract complexity), Psychology (consumer lack of sophistication criterion) and Economics (market structure criterion). It also analyzes the effects of different regulations, such as banning vexatious clauses or mandating disclosure clauses, showing that none of them protect consumers, but in fact prove to be harmful when consumers are more vulnerable, that is whenever sellers can exploit some degree of market power. In closing, the book combines these disparate aspects, arguing that the solution (if any) to the problem of consumer exploitation and market inefficiency associated with the use of contracts of adhesion in these contexts cannot be found in removing or prohibiting hidden clauses, but instead has to take into account the effects of these clauses on the contract as a whole.
Subject(s)
ISBN
9783319131146
Digital File Characteristics
text file PDF
Note
AVAILABLE ONLINE TO AUTHORIZED PSU USERS.
Part Of
Springer eBooks
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