“Impediment” as a Ground for Exemption from Liability in Light of the Vienna Convention on the International Sale of Goods (CISG) 1980
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35516/Law.2026.13650Keywords:
Impediment , CISG, force majeure, change of circumstances, exemption from liability.Abstract
Objectives: This study investigates the concept of impediment as defined in Article 79 of the Vienna Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG), which concerns the debtor's exemption from liability for failing to fulfill contractual obligations. This term is often unfamiliar in various legal systems, and understanding it will aid in the application of the Convention to related disputes.
Methods: The study primarily utilized a descriptive-analytical approach and, in certain aspects, a historical approach, referencing historical sources of the legal texts being discussed.
Results: The study concluded that the “impediment” should not be viewed as a mere formal or abstract notion; instead, it is a legal entity with a distinct interpretive character. This necessitates that scholars and judges liberate themselves from the confines of their legal backgrounds and remain open to the spirit and objectives of the convention. They should interpret Article (79) independently, without allowing its content to be influenced by comparable legal concepts or theories in their national laws.
Conclusions: This study investigates the concept of impediment under Article 79 of the CISG, focusing on its nature, interpretation, conditions, and scope concerning the individuals who benefit from its effects, specifically exemption from liability for compensation.
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