Abstract

This article aims at demonstrating and identifying principles directing European Contract law derived from Primary legislation. The demonstration is based on the consubstantial relationship, rooted in a market-oriented conception of Europe, existing between principles set up by the Treaties and those implicitly contained by secondary legislation. The view is however taken that not all «primary principles» are shaped to integrate secondary legislation dealing with contract law. Only proportionality, effectiveness and to some extend non-discrimination prove to be appropriate to the contract law context. The first part of the article supports the view that these principles have been used as a remedial to European legislature competences limits in contract law, the second one that they were used by the ECJ as a tool of contractual policy making.