Conference on „Unfair Terms in Banking and Financial Contracts“

25.10.2021

In mid-October this year (14 & 15.10.2021), the two-day conference on "Unfair Terms in Banking and Financial Contracts" took place in Vienna.

In mid-October this year (14 & 15.10.2021), the two-day conference on "Unfair Terms in Banking and Financial Contracts" took place in Vienna. It was jointly organised by Prof. Danny Busch (Radboud University, Nijmegen) and Prof. Matthias Lehmann (University of Vienna) in cooperation with the European Banking Institute (EBI).

The conference brought together distinguished experts from 17 countries inside and outside the European Union to discuss and compare how different legal systems deal with unfair terms in banking and financial contracts. In addition to numerous international participants from academia, a number of practitioners attended. During stimulating presentations and discussions, important insights were gained about the EU Unfair Terms Directive, its different implementations into domestic case law, and the practice outside of the EU. The participants' findings will be compiled in book edited by Prof. Matthias Lehmann and Prof. Danny Busch and published by Oxford University Press.

The aim of this conference was to identify the similarities and differences between the various legal systems, allowing conclusions to be drawn about the effectiveness of the regulations in force. The findings could support future legislation and case law. 

The event was held in hybrid format which - in keeping with the spirit of the time - made both physical and digital participation possible. However, most participants attended the conference on site, which was for many a "first" after a long break due to the COVID pandemic. The journey to Vienna was rewarded with exciting meetings, debates, and conversations.

After the first day of the conference, the participants also got to know the cultural side of Vienna during a guided city tour which also included a visit to a traditional Viennese coffee house. The day was rounded off with a pleasant dinner.

The two-day conference was not only an excellent opportunity for an academic but also for an intercultural exchange. The individual contributions of all experts to the joint book project are eagerly awaited.