International and Comparative Law Quarterly

Table of Contents - 2009 - Volume 58, Issue 03  

Article

ARTICLE 23 OF THE BRUSSELS I REGULATION: A COMPREHENSIVE CODE FOR JURISDICTION AGREEMENTS?

Louise Merretta1

a1 Trinity College, Cambridge and Fountain Court Chambers. lm324@cam.ac.uk

Abstract

Article 23 of the Brussels I Regulation gives effect to exclusive jurisdiction agreements and also sets out certain requirements which must be satisfied in relation to such agreements. The precise role of these formality requirements, however, remains controversial. In particular, the extent to which Article 23 itself sets out an exclusive and comprehensive code is unclear. The purpose of this article is to argue that the requirements of Article 23 are both necessary and sufficient conditions for the material validity of jurisdiction agreements in Brussels I Regulation cases.