The subject-matter of this book is the transfer of movable property in German, French, English and Dutch law. Of particular importance is the division into the three main types of transfer system: the causal consensual system, the causal tradition system and the abstract tradition system. Here two dividing lines intertwine: the distinction between causal and abstract systems and the distinction between consensual and tradition systems. Often the existence of three different transfer systems is seen as a complicating factor in harmonizing European private law. Yet, the book demonstrates that the division between consensual systems and tradition systems and the division between causal and abstract systems are not unbridgeable.

Legal rules and principles do not exist in isolation, but form part of a system. In this structural comparison between English and German law, Birke Häcker explores the rules and principles governing impaired consent transfers of movable property and their reversal in two- and three-party situations. This book is a re-publication of a work first published by Mohr Siebeck in Germany.

Comparative Property Law provides a comprehensive treatment of property law from a comparative and global perspective. The contributors, who are leading experts in their fields, cover both classical and new subjects, including the transfer of property, the public-private divide in property law, water and forest laws, and the property rights of aboriginal peoples. This Handbook maps the structure and the dynamics of property law in the contemporary world and will be an invaluable reference for researchers working in all domains of property law.

This book argues that there are three dividing lines regarding modes and consequences of property transfers which should not be conflated by comparative lawyers, namely, intent alone versus intent plus, unitary approach versus separatist approach, and causality versus abstraction. Unlike Chinese law, English law takes a non-unified approach not only in the stage of transfer but also in the stage of restitution, where the consequence in relation to the property right transferred under a flawed underlying basis can be purely causal, purely abstract, and abstract in common law but causal in equity. Nevertheless, abstraction is normatively more justifiable than causality.

Acclaim for the first edition: ïThis is a very important and immense book. . . The Elgar Encyclopedia of Comparative Law is a treasure-trove of honed knowledge of the laws of many countries. It is a reference book for dipping into, time and time again. It is worth every penny and there is not another as comprehensive in its coverage as ElgarÍs. I highly recommend the Elgar Encyclopedia of Comparative Law to all English chambers. This is a very important book that should be sitting in every university law school library.Í _ Sally Ramage, The Criminal Lawyer Containing newly updated versions of existing entries and adding several important new entries, this second edition of the Elgar Encyclopedia of Comparative Law takes stock of present-day comparative law scholarship. Written by leading authorities in their respective fields, the contributions in this accessible book cover and combine not only questions regarding the methodology of comparative law, but also specific areas of law (such as administrative law and criminal law) and specific topics (such as accident compensation and consideration). In addition, the Encyclopedia contains reports on a selected set of countriesÍ legal systems and, as a whole, presents an overview of the current state of affairs. Providing its readers with a unique point of reference, as well as stimulus for further research, this volume is an indispensable tool for anyone interested in comparative law, especially academics, students and practitioners.