The concept of fundamental breach of contract under the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG)

The concept of fundamental breach plays a crucial role within the remedial system of the U.N. Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG), because the remedies available to the parties to a contract of sale depend on the character of the breach. The Thesis analyzes the concept. It canvasses the different approaches employed by scholars and courts in determining fundamental breach and examines whether they can be justified by the rules of interpretation under the CISG. This examination shows that none of the approaches can be applied to all potential situations of fundamental breach and that their concurrent application is likely to produce conflicting results. This Thesis introduces a new methodology, which is based on a single concept applicable in all circumstances. Such methodology would also provide greater certainty and predictability to international sales transactions as required by the needs of the business world.