Impact of Art. 39 on the interpretation of non-CISG provisions

Beyond its actual sphere of application, courts have occasionally drawn guidance from Art. 39 CISG when interpreting provisions of domestic or international law. Some examples are listed below.

Argentine law:

Talleres Llave S.A. v. Furlanetto S.A.
Cámara Nacional de Apelaciones en lo Comercial (National Commercial Court of Appeals)
Argentina, 29 May 1998, CISG-online 4416

Reference made to Arts. 38(1), 39(1) and (2) CISG as a "model" in interpreting Art. 473 of the Argentine Commercial Code (as in force until 2014), a provision that limited the seller's liability for hidden defects to a maximum period of 6 months after delivery

Latvian law:

J Projekts SIA v. [...] SIA
Limbažu rajona tiesa (District Court Limbaži)
Latvia, 08 March 2016 – C21072915 / C-0138-16/4, CISG-online 5083

Reference to Art. 39 CISG in interpreting the notice requirement under the Latvian Civil Code and the Latvian Commercial Code

Swiss law:

Maple log wood case
Bundesgericht/Tribunal fédéral (Swiss Federal Supreme Court)
Switzerland, 28 May 2002 – 4C.395/2001, CISG-online 676

Reference to Art. 39 CISG in interpreting Art. 201 of the Swiss Code of Obligations (Obligationenrecht)