South Pacific Contract Law

This book presents the general principles of contract law that apply in the countries of the University of the South Pacific ('USP') region - Cook Islands, Fiji Islands, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Samoa, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. It is unique in that it provides the only up-to-date survey of regional authorities for the principles of contract operating within the region. Like many other branches of the law, contract law has yet to establish its own identity in the South Pacific. However, whilst it is still based on the law of England, there are significant differences between English contract law and South Pacific contract law. The text provides a clear explanation of this divergence and highlights regional innovations, both in the form of legislation and local case law. It also examines the role of customary law and provides a comprehensive study of the significant differences between the law of contract in individual regional countries. Comparison is made between regional law with current English contract law, and with the contract law of Australia and New Zealand, particularly where regional courts have preferred that law to the law of England. This book is essential reading for all students of contract law in the South Pacific and constitutes a very useful source book and guide for academics and practitioners, from within and outside the region.