The presumption of non-conformity in European consumer sales law Sikorska, Karolina

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1 University of Groningen The presumption of non-conformity in European consumer sales law Sikorska, Karolina IMPORTANT NOTE: You are advised to consult the publisher's version (publisher's PDF) if you wish to cite from it. Please check the document version below. Document Version Publisher's PDF, also known as Version of record Publication date: 2015 Link to publication in University of Groningen/UMCG research database Citation for published version (APA): Sikorska, K. (2015). The presumption of non-conformity in European consumer sales law [Groningen]: University of Groningen Copyright Other than for strictly personal use, it is not permitted to download or to forward/distribute the text or part of it without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), unless the work is under an open content license (like Creative Commons). Take-down policy If you believe that this document breaches copyright please contact us providing details, and we will remove access to the work immediately and investigate your claim. Downloaded from the University of Groningen/UMCG research database (Pure): For technical reasons the number of authors shown on this cover page is limited to 10 maximum. Download date:

2 The presumption of non-conformity in European consumer sales law The presumption of non-conformity_voorwerk.indd :23:49

3 The commercial edition of this book is published by Eleven International Publishing. ISBN ISBN (E-book) 2015 Karolina Maria Sikorska Eleven International Publishing Published, sold and distributed by Eleven International Publishing P.O. Box CG The Hague The Netherlands Tel.: Fax: Sold and distributed in USA and Canada International Specialized Book Services 920 NE 58th Avenue, Suite 300 Portland, OR , USA Tel.: (toll-free) Fax: Eleven International Publishing is an imprint of Boom uitgevers Den Haag. This publication is protected by international copyright law. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher. Printed in The Netherlands The presumption of non-conformity_voorwerk.indd :23:49

4 The presumption of non-conformity in European consumer sales law Proefschrift ter verkrijging van de graad van doctor aan de Rijksuniversiteit Groningen op gezag van de rector magnificus prof. dr. E. Sterken en volgens besluit van het College voor Promoties. De openbare verdediging zal plaatsvinden op donderdag 21 mei 2015 om uur door Karolina Maria Sikorska geboren op 7 oktober 1984 te Kutno, Polen The presumption of non-conformity_voorwerk.indd :23:50

5 Promotores Prof. mr. dr. H.B. Krans Prof. mr. dr. M.H. Wissink Beoordelingscommissie Prof. dr. J. Devenney Mr. dr. G.T. de Jong Prof. dr. P. Rott Prof. mr. dr. A.J. Verheij The presumption of non-conformity_voorwerk.indd :23:50

6 Acknowledgements This dissertation is the result of nearly five years of research into the consumer sales law of Poland, Germany, England and Wales and the Netherlands. The law of consumer sales has been approached from various perspectives, but it is the perspective of the burden of proof that has played the central role in the discussion. The main question accompanying all chapters of this book is who has the duty to prove the essential facts and to what degree of certainty, in order to be able to win the dispute that has arisen from the contract of sale of consumer goods. In particular, this book investigates the role, function and application of the presumption of non-conformity, which was designed by the European legislator to reduce the consumer s duty to supply evidence in order to receive remedies for the delivery of non-conforming goods. This dissertation would not have been possible without the support of many people. I would like to first express deep gratitude to my supervisors Prof. Bart Krans and Prof. Mark Wissink for invaluable guidance throughout the research. In particular, I would like to thank them for their support, encouragement, trust, and a great deal of patience throughout the process. Their erudition, dedication, and high standards are truly inspiring. During my research I was fortunate to meet many scholars who helped me understand the complexity of European consumer sales law and the difficulties of conducting comparative research. I was honoured to meet Prof. Ewa Łętowska, who was kind enough to read the extracts of my work and guided me on issues regarding Polish law. The visit I paid to Warsaw in June 2013 to discuss my work with her remains one of the most memorable moments of my doctoral studies. I would like to thank Prof. Ewa Łętowska for valuable comments and advice regarding not only Polish consumer sales law but Academia and Legal Science in general. I would also like to thank Prof. James Devenney for an opportunity to visit Exeter, which allowed me to deepen my knowledge of English sales law, for interesting discussions, and for observations on English law. Last but not least, I would like to thank Prof. Peter Rott for advice and invaluable comments on German consumer sales law. I would like to give special thanks to the members of the assessment committee, Prof. James Devenney, Dr. Grietje de Jong, Prof. Peter Rott and Prof. Albert Verheij for their commitment, a thorough review of this dissertation and invaluable remarks. Finally, I would like to thank colleagues from the department of Private Law and Notarial Law of the University of Groningen for their warm reception, their kindness, and valuable advice on living and working in Groningen. In particular, I would like to thank Lineke Klap-de Nooijer and Ellen Simmons for always being there and helping wherever it was needed. During my time in Groningen I was fortunate enough to meet lovely people v

7 Acknowledgements and collect memorable experiences, I will always look back at this time with gratitude and appreciation. The research was concluded on 1 September After which, only a few developments have been followed: the entering into force of the Polish amendments to consumer sales law in December 2014, the schedule of the English legislation process with regard to the Consumer Rights Bill, and the opinion of Advocate General Sharpston delivered on 27 November 2014 in case F. Faber v Autobedrijf Hazet Ochten BV, C-497/13. At the time this book went to print the English legislation process had not yet been completed and the ECJ s final decision in the above-mentioned case had not been delivered. Antwerp, 23 January 2015 vi

8 Table of Contents Abbreviations xv 1 Introduction Research questions Approach 3 2 Burden of proof Introduction Burden of proof European perspective Functions of the burden of proof in the civil proceedings Burden of proof in Polish law Introduction Definitions Material aspect Procedural aspect Allocation of the burden of proof General rule of Article 6 of the Civil Code Presumptions Standard of proof Conclusions Burden of proof in German law Introduction Definitions Objektive Beweislast Subjektive Beweislast Allocation of the burden of proof Normentheorie Presumptions Standard of proof Conclusions Burden of proof in English and Welsh law Introduction Definitions Persuasive burden Evidential burden 30 vii

9 Table of Contents Allocation of the burden of proof Allocation of the burden of persuasion Allocation of the evidential burden Presumptions Standard of proof Conclusions Burden of proof in Dutch law Introduction Definitions Allocation of the burden of proof General rule of Article 150 Rv Presumptions Standard of proof Conclusions Conclusions 45 3 Consumer Sales Directive and its national implementations Introduction Information about the Consumer Sales Directive Legislative process Objectives Implementation methods Consumer sale in Polish law General information Method of implementation Characterisation of the implementing act Systematics of sales law Legislative changes as a result of the implementation of the Consumer Sales Directive Current issues regarding the law of consumer sale Implementation of the Directive on Consumer Rights Existence of the case law ADR Consequences for consumer protection Conclusions Consumer sale in German law General information Method of implementation Characterisation of the implementing act 67 viii

10 Table of Contents Systematics of sales law Legislative changes as a result of the implementation of the Consumer Sales Directive Current issues regarding the law of consumer sale Implementation of the Directive on Consumer Rights Interpretation of German provisions on consumer sales in conformity with the Directive ADR Conclusions Consumer sale in English and Welsh law General information Method of implementation Characterisation of the implementing act Systematics of sales law Legislative changes as a result of the implementation of the Consumer Sales Directive Remedies Non-conformity Limitation and the burden of proof Conclusions Current issues regarding the law of consumer sale Implementation of the Directive on Consumer Rights Substantive law Court proceedings ADR Conclusions Consumer sale in Dutch law General information Method of implementation Characterisation of the implementing act Systematics of sales law Legislative changes as a result of the implementation of the Consumer Sales Directive Current issues regarding the law of consumer sale Implementation of the Directive on Consumer Rights Preliminary questions for the ECJ: ex officio application of consumer sales law and specificity of the burden of proof ADR (de Geschillencommissie) Conclusions 109 ix

11 Table of Contents 3.7 Conclusions Non-conformity Introduction Non-conformity in the Consumer Sales Directive Non-conformity in Polish law Introduction Non-conformity: definitions Physical defects of Article 556 (1) of the Civil Code (before implementation of the Consumer Sales Directive) Legal defects of Article 556 (2) of the Civil Code (before implementation of the Consumer Sales Directive) Non-conformity of Article 4 (2) and 4 (3) of the Consumer Sale Act Defects of Article of the Civil Code (amendments introduced in 2014) Conclusions Buyer s knowledge of the non-conformity Burden of proof of the non-conformity Conclusions Non-conformity in German law Introduction Defects: definitions Material defects Incorrect installation Legal defects Conclusions Buyer s knowledge of the defects Burden of proof of the defects Conclusions Non-conformity in English and Welsh law Introduction Non-conformity: definitions Satisfactory quality Correspondence with the description, sample or model Fitness for purpose (ordinary and specific) Correspondence with the characteristics based on the public statements Incorrect installation 157 x

12 Table of Contents Legal defects Conclusions Buyer s knowledge of the non-conformity Burden of proof of the non-conformity Conclusions Non-conformity in Dutch law Introduction Non-conformity: definitions Quality Identity and quantity Incorrect installation Legal defects Conclusions Buyer s knowledge of the non-conformity Burden of proof of the non-conformity Conclusions Conclusions Presumption of non-conformity Introduction The presumption of Article 5 (3) of the Consumer Sales Directive Introduction General information Conditions for the application of the presumption Non-conformity Six-month period Construction of Article 5 (3) of the Consumer Sales Directive Conclusions Presumption of non-conformity in Polish law Introduction Scope of the application of the presumption Conditions for the application of the presumption Non-conformity Six-month period Conclusions Rebuttal of the presumption Exclusion of the application of the presumption Road map of the presumption Conclusions 210 xi

13 Table of Contents 5.4 Presumption of non-conformity in German law Introduction Scope of the application of the presumption Conditions for the application of the presumption Non-conformity (Sachliche Komponente) Six-month period (Zeitliche Komponente) Conclusions Rebuttal of the presumption Exclusion of the application of the presumption Incompatibility with the nature of the goods Incompatibility with the nature of the defects Conclusions Road map of the presumption Conclusions Presumption of non-conformity in English and Welsh law Introduction Scope of the application of the presumption Conditions for the application of the presumption Non-conformity Six-month period Conclusions Rebuttal of the presumption Exclusion of the application of the presumption Road map of the presumption Conclusions Presumption of non-conformity in Dutch law Introduction Scope of the application of the presumption Conditions for the application of the presumption Non-conformity Six-month period Conclusions Rebuttal of the presumption Exclusion of the application of the presumption Incompatibility with the nature of the goods Incompatibility with the nature of the non-conformity Conclusions Road map of the presumption Conclusions 284 xii

14 Table of Contents 5.7 Conclusions Comparative conclusions Aims and objectives of the presumption of Article 5 (3) of the Consumer Sales Directive Conditions for the application of the presumption Non-conformity Poland Germany England and Wales The Netherlands Comparative remarks Six-month period Poland Germany England and Wales The Netherlands Comparative remarks Rebuttal Poland Germany England and Wales The Netherlands Comparative remarks Exclusion Poland Germany Incompatibility with the nature of the goods Incompatibility with the nature of the defects Relationship between rebuttal and exclusion of the presumption England and Wales The Netherlands Incompatibility with the nature of the goods Incompatibility with the nature of the non-conformity Relationship between rebuttal and exclusion of the presumption Comparative remarks Final remarks 313 Summary 315 xiii

15 Table of Contents Samenvatting 325 Literature 335 Legislation 363 Table of Cases 371 Index 379 xiv

16 Abbreviations AA aant. ADR AG AG. All ER ANWB APK App Cas approx. ATW BGB BGBl. BGH BIS BJu BV BW CC CESL CISG CJEU CSIH DCFR diss. DTI Dz. U. ECJ ECLI ECR EEC et seq. EU EWCA Civ Ars Aequi Aantekening Alternative Dispute Resolution Amtsgericht Aktiengesellschaft All England Law Reports Algemene Nederlandse Wielrijdersbond Algemene Periodieke Keuring Law Reports Appeal Cases Approximately Algemene Termijnenwet Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch Bundesgesetzblatt Bundesgerichtshof Department for Business, Innovation and Skills Boom Juridische uitgevers Besloten Vennootschap Burgerlijk Wetboek Civil Code Common European Sales Law United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods Court of Justice of the European Union Court of Session, Inner House Draft Common Frame of Reference Dissertation Department of Trade and Industry Dziennik Ustaw European Court of Justice European Case Law Identifier European Court Reports European Economic Community et sequentia European Union England and Wales Court of Appeal Civil Division xv

17 Abbreviations GPR Zeitschrift für Gemeinschaftsprivatrecht HL House of Lords Hof Gerechtshof HR Hoge Raad JZ Juristen Zeitung k.p.c. Kodeks Postępowania Cywilnego km. Kilometre LG Landgericht Lloyd s Rep Lloyd's Law Reports LMCLQ Lloyd's Maritime and Commercial Law Quarterly MOT Ministry of Transport MvA Memorie van Antwoord MvT Memorie van Toelichting NBW Nieuw Burgerlijk Wetboek NGO Non-governmental organization NJ Nederlandse Jurisprudentie NMvA Nadere Memorie van Antwoord NP Nowe Prawo Nr. Number OBW Overgangswet Nieuw Burgerlijk Wetboek OFT Office of Fair Trading OJ Official Journal OLG Oberlandesgericht p. page Parl. gesch. Parlementaire geschiedenis PiP Prokuratura i Prawo pln Polski Nowy Złoty PP Praktisch Procederen QB Queen's Bench Reports R.T.R. Road Traffic Reports Rabels Rabels Zeitschrift für ausländisches und internationales Privatrecht Rb Rechtbank Rn. Randnummer RP Rzeczpospolita Polska RPEiS Ruch Prawniczy, Ekonomiczny i Socjologiczny Rv Wetboek van Burgerlijke Rechtsvordering s. sentence S.L.T. Scots Law Times xvi

18 Abbreviations SER Sociaal-Economische Raad SI Statutory Instrument SN Sąd Najwyższy SO Sąd Okregowy SOGA 1979 Sale of Goods Act 1979 SR Sąd Rejonowy SSGCR 2002 Sale and Supply of Goods to Consumers Regulations 2002 Stb. Staatsblad sygn. sygnatura T&C Tekst en Commentaar T.M. Toelichting Meijers TvPP Tijdschrift voor de Procespraktijk U Urteil UCTA 1977 Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977 UOKiK Urząd Ochrony Konkurencji i Konsumentów UTCCR 1999 Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999 WLR Weekly Law Reports ZIP Zeitschrift für Wirtschaftsrecht ZPO Zivilprozessordnug ZR Zivilregister xvii

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