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Regulation of the Smart Contract in (Romanian) Civil Law

Author

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  • Raluca Onufreiciuc

    (Lawyer, Ph.D. candidate at the University of Bucharest and the University of A Coruna, Bucharest/A Coruna, Romania/Spain, teaching assistant Faculty of Law and Administrative Sciences, †Ştefan cel Mare†the University of Suceava)

  • Lorena-Elena Stănescu

    (Ph.D. Lawyer)

Abstract

The research aims to organize, examine, and analyze the provisions on smart contracts available in Romanian civil law. “Smart contracts†are not smart, and are not necessarily contracts, although they can be. As self-executing computer programs, smart contracts are operational on the blockchain and unlike traditional legal contracts, once the agreement has been concluded and the smart contract is set in motion, no party can intervene and it will be executed without interruption, modification, or breach. The crucial question in the final contract law topic is what happens when the smart contract's outcomes deviate from those required by law. To answer this issue, we must first understand that whether a smart contract becomes legally enforceable is determined by several circumstances, together with the unique use case, the type of smart contract employed, and the existing legislation. The paper addresses the subject of determining and regulating smart contracts under Romanian current laws. Particular emphasis is placed on two ambiguous definitions of smart contracts: as computer code and as a civil-law contract. The authors conclude that the concept of smart contracts requires more legal regulation, particularly in terms of managing their meaning and comprehension.

Suggested Citation

  • Raluca Onufreiciuc & Lorena-Elena Stănescu, 2021. "Regulation of the Smart Contract in (Romanian) Civil Law," European Journal of Law and Public Administration, Editura LUMEN, vol. 8(2), pages 95-111, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:lum:ejlpa1:v:8:y:2021:i:2:p:95-111
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.18662/eljpa/8.2/164
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    Keywords

    smart contract; civil law; traditional contracts; blockchain; Ethereum;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • K10 - Law and Economics - - Basic Areas of Law - - - General (Constitutional Law)
    • K12 - Law and Economics - - Basic Areas of Law - - - Contract Law
    • K15 - Law and Economics - - Basic Areas of Law - - - Civil Law; Common Law

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