The Scope of Will in Determining the Governing Law of Electronic Contracts
Keywords:
contract, will, electronic contracts, offer and acceptanceAbstract
The principle of the autonomy of will is considered one of the fundamental concepts and legal foundations of contracts. Article 10 of the Civil Code, along with the principle of al-'uqud taba'a li-l-maqasid (contracts follow intentions), can be regarded as manifestations of this principle. This principle has significant implications, such as contractual freedom and the ability to create new transactional models. Therefore, it has longstanding significance in both Western and Islamic legal systems. It should also be noted that electronic contracts do not inherently differ in nature from traditional contracts; however, the structure of the electronic environment introduces new characteristics and concepts to these contracts. The formal structure and technical characteristics of the electronic environment have led to profound transformations in various aspects of contract law, particularly affecting the formation of commercial contracts. Consequently, the principle of the autonomy of will in contract formation, especially in commercial contracts, facilitates and grants parties the freedom to determine the form, content, and effects of the contract. Nevertheless, the necessity of protecting public interests and justice has mandated the establishment of certain legal limitations on the absolute freedom of will. Competition law and the prevention of monopolies and discrimination, laws governing adhesion and collective contracts, regulations ensuring public order and morality, and supervisory and protective legal frameworks aimed at systematization all constitute such restrictive rules.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Seyed Alimohammad Hosseininasab (Author); Mohammadreza Fallah (Corresponding author); Mohammadhossein Jafari (Author)
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