Resources On-Demand

Cross-Border Contracts and International Law

Overview 

In today’s global economy, no legal professional can afford to think locally. Once a transaction crosses a national border, familiar legal principles become intertwined with foreign laws, international conventions and complex enforcement systems. A contract that seems watertight under South African law could easily collapse under English, German or Chinese law thereby exposing clients to unexpected risks. 

This webinar will show participants how to choose the right governing law, select effective dispute resolution mechanisms and structure contracts for enforceability wherever counterparties operate. 

Join Adv. Dwight Snyman as he explores international contracting and shares practical tools to help you draft, interpret and enforce agreements that remain robust across borders. 

Learning objectives 

Attending this webinar will equip you with the following skills: 

• Understand the legal foundations of cross-border contracts, including the role of governing law, jurisdiction and dispute resolution in ensuring enforceability. 

• Identify and mitigate key risks in international transactions through sound drafting and due diligence. 

• Draft and interpret essential cross-border clauses such as choice of law, arbitration, force majeure and limitation of liability. 

• Navigate the impact of international instruments such as the CISG, the UNIDROIT Principles and the New York Convention. 

• Develop strategic foresight to approach international contracts as frameworks for mutual protection and commercial stability. 

Content 

The webinar will cover the following topics: 

• Introduction to Cross-Border Contracting 

  • Definition and scope of international contracts 

  • Distinction between domestic and transnational agreements 

  • Sources of international contract law (national law, trade usages, lex mercatoria) 

  • The role of private international law in cross-border transactions 

• Governing Law and Choice of Law Clauses 

  • Doctrine of party autonomy 

  • Determining the proper law of the contract 

  • Mandatory and overriding mandatory provisions (lois de police) 

  • Application of the Rome I Regulation and comparative frameworks 

  • Interaction between national law and conventions such as the CISG 

• Jurisdiction and Forum Selection 

  • Principles of jurisdiction under private international law 

  • Exclusive vs. non-exclusive jurisdiction clauses 

  • Forum non conveniens and parallel proceedings 

  • Recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments 

• Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution 

  • Arbitration as a preferred mechanism for international disputes 

  • Drafting effective arbitration clauses (seat, rules, and institutions) 

  • Recognition and enforcement of awards under the New York Convention 

  • Mediation and multi-tier dispute resolution frameworks 

• Formation and Validity of International Contracts 

  • Offer and acceptance in cross-border transactions 

  • Impact of the CISG on contract formation 

  • Capacity, consent and defects in formation 

  • Formal validity and public policy restrictions 

• Performance, Breach, and Remedies 

  • Interpretation of obligations under divergent legal systems 

  • Impossibility, frustration and force majeure 

  • Comparative remedies under CISG and common law 

• Risk Allocation and Drafting Techniques 

  • Structuring payment and delivery terms (INCOTERMS 2020) 

  • Limitation of liability, indemnities and warranties 

  • Confidentiality and non-disclosure clauses 

  • Best practices for drafting governing law and dispute resolution provisions 

• Enforcement of Judgments and Awards 

  • Recognition and enforcement mechanisms 

  • Enforcement under the Hague Choice of Court and New York Conventions 

  • Asset tracing and execution in foreign jurisdictions 

• International Regulatory and Compliance Considerations 

  • Sanctions, export controls, and anti-corruption laws 

  • AML and counter-terrorism compliance 

  • Data protection and cross-border data transfers (GDPR) 

• Emerging Trends and Practical Guidance 

  • Digital trade and smart contracts 

  •  Blockchain-based transactions and e-commerce law 

  • Cultural and legal negotiation strategies across jurisdiction