Application of the CISG to dispute settlement agreements
While the CISG primarily contains rules on sales contracts, courts have found ways to make use of the Convention with regard to the conclusion of dispute settlement agreements forming part of a sales contract.
For a different, albeit connected issue of applying Art. 8 CISG to arbitration clauses, see here.
Chateau des Charmes Wines Ltd. v. Sabaté USA, Inc. et al.
U.S. Court of Appeals (9th Circuit)
USA, 05 May 2003 – 02-15727, CISG-online 767
U.S. Court of Appeals (9th Circuit)
USA, 05 May 2003 – 02-15727, CISG-online 767
The forum selection clause on the invoices was found not to be binding because the clause materially altered the offer under Art. 19(3) CISG and the buyer had not agreed to it
Transmar Commodity Group Ltd. v. Cooperativa Agraria Industrial Naranjillo Ltda.
U.S. Court of Appeals (2nd Circuit)
USA, 09 May 2018 – 16-3532-cv, CISG-online 3060
U.S. Court of Appeals (2nd Circuit)
USA, 09 May 2018 – 16-3532-cv, CISG-online 3060
The lower court's judgment was vacated, because when it found that no arbitration agreement had been concluded, it primarily relied on the face of the contract (and New York law) but should have instead considered extrinsic evidence under to Art. 8(3) CISG
Laktapol Int’l, Sp. z o.o. et al. v. Bassett & Walker Int’l, Inc.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas
USA, 10 January 2013 – EP-12-CA-16-FM, CISG-online 4660
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas
USA, 10 January 2013 – EP-12-CA-16-FM, CISG-online 4660
Held that "[t]he United Nations Convention on the Contract for the International Sale of Goods ('CISG') governs the court’s determination as to whether the parties agreed to the forum-selection clause" (Arts. 14, 18 and 19 CISG applied)
Incorporation of Orgalime S2000 case
Vrhovno sodišče Republike Slovenije (Supreme Court of Slovenia)
Slovenia, 14 July 2015 – VS RS sklep III Ips 92/2014, CISG-online 5270
Vrhovno sodišče Republike Slovenije (Supreme Court of Slovenia)
Slovenia, 14 July 2015 – VS RS sklep III Ips 92/2014, CISG-online 5270
The Supreme Court applied Art. 8 CISG in a prior decision of the same case but refused to apply the CISG in this decision due to Sweden's reservation under Art. 92 CISG
Aleksandrs Fillers, 'Application of the CISG to Arbitration Agreements', 30 European Business Law Review (EBLR) (2019), 663–694 [– in English]
Morten M. Fogt, 'The CISG and Agreements or Binding Practice to Arbitrate', in: Mads Bryde Andersen & René Franz Henschel (eds.), A tribute to Joseph M. Lookofsky, Copenhagen: DJØF Publishing (2015), 129–171 [– in English]
Morten M. Fogt, 'The Interaction and Distinction Between the Sales and Arbitration Regimes - The CISG and Agreements or Binding Practice to Arbitrate (Comment on the decision of the Danish Højesteret of 15 February 2001)', 26 American Review of International Arbitration (Am. Rev. Int. Arb.) (2015), 365–406 [– in English]
Sebastian Jungemeyer, 'Keine Vereinbarung eines internationalen Gerichtsstandes durch bloßen Verweis auf AGB im Internet', Recht der Internationalen Wirtschaft (RIW) (2010), 164–168 [– in German]
Robert Koch, 'The CISG as the Law Applicable to Arbitration Agreements?', in: Camilla Baasch Andersen & Ulrich G. Schroeter (eds.), Sharing International Commercial Law across National Boundaries: Festschrift for Albert H. Kritzer on the Occasion of his Eightieth Birthday, London: Wildy, Simmonds & Hill (2008), 267–286 [– in English]
