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Economic Analysis of Contract Law

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  • Steven Shavell

Abstract

Contract law governs agreements between parties. This paper contains the chapters on contract law from a general, forthcoming book, Foundations of Economic Analysis of Law (Harvard University Press, 2003). Chapter 13 presents an overview of the subject. Chapter 14 is concerned with contract formation, that is, with the process through which parties find contracting partners, with aspects of contract negotiation, and with the rules governing when an arrangement between parties becomes legally recognized as a contract. Chapter 15 considers at length an important type of contract: the contract to produce something. Chapter 16 is concerned with two other types of contract: the contract for transfer of possession of something that already exists (such as land or a painting), and donative contracts.

Suggested Citation

  • Steven Shavell, 2003. "Economic Analysis of Contract Law," NBER Working Papers 9696, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:9696
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. María Alexandra Ortiz Cabrera (Editor), 2017. "Derecho económico," Books, Universidad Externado de Colombia, Facultad de Derecho, number 964, October.
    3. Dieter Schmidtchen & Roland Kirstein, "undated". "Störung der Vertragsparität," German Working Papers in Law and Economics 2004-1-1093, Berkeley Electronic Press.
    4. Lando, Henrik & Rose, Caspar, 2004. "On the enforcement of specific performance in Civil Law countries," International Review of Law and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 24(4), pages 473-487, December.

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    JEL classification:

    • D00 - Microeconomics - - General - - - General
    • D8 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty

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