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Full-Text Articles in Law
Contracts Formed By Software: An Approach From The Law Of Mistake, Vincent Ooi
Contracts Formed By Software: An Approach From The Law Of Mistake, Vincent Ooi
Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law
A ‘Contracting Problem’ arises when software is used to autonomously enter into contracts without human input. Questions arise as to how and whether there can be an expression of an objective intention to be legally bound. This article considers three leading solutions to the Contracting Problem. The ‘Mere Tools Theory’, which views software as ‘mere tools’ of communication, is too harsh as it binds users to any software malfunction. The Agency Approach, which treats software as Electronic Agents, capable of contracting on behalf of their users, is untenable as it ascribes unrealistic characteristics to software. The article submits that the …
Smart Contracts: Terminology, Technical Limitations And Real World Complexity, Eliza Mik
Smart Contracts: Terminology, Technical Limitations And Real World Complexity, Eliza Mik
Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law
If one is to believe the popular press and many “technical writings,” blockchains create not only a perfect transactional environment but also obviate the need for banks, lawyers and courts. The latter will soon be replaced by smart contracts: unbiased and infallible computer programs that form, perform and enforce agreements. Predictions of future revolutions must, however, be distinguished from the harsh reality of the commercial marketplace and the technical limitations of blockchains. The fact that a technological solution is innovative and elegant need not imply that it is commercially useful or legally viable. Apart from attempting a terminological “clean-up” surrounding …
Private Lawmaking In Commercial Cyberspace, Eliza Mik
Private Lawmaking In Commercial Cyberspace, Eliza Mik
Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law
No discussion of “Law and Technology” would be complete without at least one essay centred on the Internet. While the Internet no longer captures our imagination with the same force as it did 20 years ago, we cannot assume that it no longer creates (or perpetuates?) multiple legal problems. When we talk about the Internet we must, however, refrain from the popular “Internet metanarrative” that often leads to superficial arguments and unhelpful generalisations.1 We must always remain aware of the multiplicity of the Internet’s technical applications and the wide range of legal contexts in which the term gains significance. Discussing …
Was Singapore Airlines Liable For Business-Class Seats Sold At Economy Rates?, Yihan Goh
Was Singapore Airlines Liable For Business-Class Seats Sold At Economy Rates?, Yihan Goh
Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law
Much has been reported about Singapore Airlines (“SIA”) mistakenly charging economy rates for around 900 business-class seats due to a computer input error. Yesterday, SIA said that it would honour those tickets at economy rates, reversing its previous position that it would not, and closing the episode on a note of goodwill. This blog entry explores the legal analysis behind the episode on the assumption that Singapore contract law applies, so as to maintain its general relevance to a Singaporean audience and its specific application to online retailers concerned about making similar pricing errors. Of course, the analysis would differ …
Will Firms Consider A European Optional Instrument In Contract Law?, Gary Low
Will Firms Consider A European Optional Instrument In Contract Law?, Gary Low
Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law
The diversity of contract laws is said by the Commission to discouragecross-border trade and hinder the development by SMEs of a pan-European commercialpolicy. An optional instrument containing both facilitative general contractrules and mandatory consumer protection rules, one of the solutions proposed by theCommission, is gaining rapid support from key stakeholders. Drawing from firms’own views on the problems of legal diversity, and insights from organisationalscience, this article sets out the circumstances in which firms will likely consider aEuropean optional code. Results are mixed: some firms may consider it, whileothers may ignore it. Much depends the firm’s aspirations (i.e. SMEs cannot beassumed …
Updating The Electronic Transactions Act? Australia's Accession To The Un Convention On The Use Of Electronic Communications In International Contracts 2005, Eliza Karolina Mik
Updating The Electronic Transactions Act? Australia's Accession To The Un Convention On The Use Of Electronic Communications In International Contracts 2005, Eliza Karolina Mik
Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law
This article discusses the Australian Government’s proposal to accede to the United Nations Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts as well as certain amendments to existing Australian electronic transactions legislation, i.e. the Electronic Transactions Act (Commonwealth) 1999 (”ETA”) and its state equivalents. Without going into a detailed discussion of all suggested amendments, this article focuses on those recommendations, which affect the area of contract formation, in particular: the use of automated systems in on-line transactions and the determination of the time the contract comes into existence. A critical review of the proposed changes reveals that their …
The Effectiveness Of Acceptances Communicated By Electronic Means, Or – Does The Postal Acceptance Rule Apply To Email, Eliza Mik
Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law
The ‘traditional’ classi?cation into ‘instantaneous’ and ‘non-instantaneous’ methods of communication must be abandoned. As all Internet transmissions are instantaneous, the choice between the principle of receipt and the postal exception must be based on other criteria. The focus must be shifted from communication devices to the characteristics of the communication process. The latter resembles either dealings face-to-face or dealings at a distance. This simple division should remain the basis for all analyses. Instantaneity and control are two of many characteristics of face-to-face dealings and are not the only factors to be taken into account when making the choice between the …
Treatment Of Multi-Courts Jurisdiction Agreements, Seow Hon Tan
Treatment Of Multi-Courts Jurisdiction Agreements, Seow Hon Tan
Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law
An increasingly popular manner of drafting jurisdiction clauses in cross-border contracts involves the selection of the courts of more than one jurisdiction. Traditionally, parties would submit all disputes to the courts of a particular country under an exclusive jurisdiction agreement or agree that the transaction is subject to a particular jurisdiction without intending to create an obligation to proceed there and nowhere else. Of late, the Singapore courts have encountered litigation over multi-courts jurisdiction agreements. A common form involves the naming of a particular court with one of the parties being given the option to proceed anywhere else.
Workplace Sexual Harassment In Singapore: The Legal Challenge, Jack Tsen-Ta Lee
Workplace Sexual Harassment In Singapore: The Legal Challenge, Jack Tsen-Ta Lee
Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law
This article examines the nature and prevalence of sexual harassment in the work environment, and compares civil and criminal law in Singapore to the approaches taken by various jurisdictions in dealing with the problem. It is submitted that legislation is needed to protect employees, as Singapore law currently does not present any clear and coherent means for victims to seek redress for workplace sexual harassment.