The Research Centre for Private International Law in Emerging Countries at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) in partnership with the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT) hosted two public lectures, which saw panels of South African and foreign experts discussing aspects of various conventions, model laws, principles, legislative and contractual guidelines, including the UNIDROIT Principles of International Commercial Contracts. The central theme of this highly acclaimed seminar was: “UNIDROIT in Africa”
The address took place on Thursday, 12 August 2016 at the Auckland Park Kingsway Campus, Council Chambers.
“The purpose of the lecture was to address the influence of the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG) and the UNIDROIT Principles of International Commercial Contracts on the development of domestic law,” said Prof Letlhokwa Mpedi, the Executive Dean: Faculty of Law at the University of Johannesburg.
The international speakers included Mr Jose Angelo Estrella Faria, the Secretary General of UNIDROIT and Professor Henry Gabriel of Elon University, member of the Governing Council of UNIDROIT. They represent highly acclaimed international expertise in the field of international commercial law.
Prof Mpedi welcomed the speakers and Dr Eesa Fredericks provided an overview of the projects of the Research Centre for Private International Law in Emerging Countries. The Vice Chancellor, Prof Ihron Rensburg, attended lunch with the guests. The seminar was arranged by the Director of the Research Centre, Prof Jan Neels, member of the Governing Council of UNIDROIT.
The public lecture dealt with the impact of the CISG and the UNIDROIT Principles of International Commercial Contracts on domestic Law and UNIDROIT’S work on food security and agricultural development.
UNIDROIT is an independent intergovernmental organisation with its seat in the Villa Aldobrandini in Rome. Its purpose is to study needs and methods for modernising, harmonising and co-ordinating private and in particular commercial law as between States and groups of States and to formulate uniform law instruments, principles and rules to achieve those objectives.
