Vorausleistung und Rücktritt beim Zahlungsverzug (Historical and Comparative Remarks on Right to Rescind or Terminate a Contract in the Event of Payment Default by the Other Party)
Recht der Wirtschaft (RdW), Vol. 26, No. 1, pp. 8-13, January 2003
6 Pages Posted: 13 Jun 2014
Date Written: January 15, 2003
Abstract
Deutsche Zusammenfassung: Der Beitrag untersucht die Frage, ob die Möglichkeit des Rücktritts im Fall der Vorausleistung und bei einem darauf folgenden Zahlungsverzug des Vertragspartners entfallen sollte. Die entsprechende Regelung des (früheren) österreichischen Handelsrechts wurde auch im Bürgerlichen Recht von der Rechtsprechung durch Analogie angewandt. Der Beitrag analysiert die Entstehungsgeschichte und die Ratio der Bestimmung sowie ihre Folgen im Handelsverkehr und im Bürgerlichen Rechtsverkehr.
English Abstract: Commercial law had been unified between the Austrian Empire and the German States through a Commercial code in the 19th century already, well before the introduction of the German Civil code (BGB). In the Commerce code a particular provision limited the rights of parties having contractually agreed to fulfill their obligations prior to payment, if a subsequent payment default by the other party occurred. This article analyses the provisions drawing on this common origin in 20th century Commercial codes both in Austria and Germany comparatively. It provides a historical and comparative analysis and questions the application of the rule outside of commercial law in general contract law. The commercial law background leads to different typical interests of the parties which possibly could justify rules preventing the unwinding of failed contracts. Good reasons can be advanced for different rules in the context of non-commercial contracts.
Note: Downloadable document is in German.
Keywords: Commercial law, unification, HGB, BGB, unwinding failed contracts, payment default
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