1. Restitution under an Illegal Contract: From Purpose to Finality and Civil Fines.
- Author
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PEERAER, Frederik
- Subjects
- *
CIVIL law , *CRIMINAL procedure , *APPELLATE courts , *CONSTITUTIONAL courts , *CONTRACTS , *CIVIL restitution - Abstract
This article delves into the complex issue of restitution under an illegal contract, a topic brought into focus by the UK Supreme Court's landmark decision in Patel v. Mirza (2016). It contends that the current trend towards discretion often leads to unclear outcomes, underscoring the limitations of a flexible approach. Drawing from examples in German and Italian law, it argues that these shortcomings arise from a failure to acknowledge the political choice about law's finality one ascribes to law. In proposing a shift from a focus on the purpose of restitution rules to their ultimate finality, the paper suggests empowering civil courts to impose civil fines on claimants seeking restitution under an illegal contract. However, it emphasizes the need for caution and a careful coordination with criminal proceedings, adding that the impact of such fines must not be overestimated. Ultimately, the article concludes that a clear understanding of law's finality and the inherent constraints of private law is essential for achieving coherence in cases of restitution under illegal contracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024