The 1980 Rome Convention on the law applicable to contractual obligations harmonises the rules of conflict of laws applicable to contracts. It is currently in force among the “old” Members States.
By becoming members of the European Union, the new Member States undertook to accede to the 1980 Rome Convention, opened for signature in Rome on June 19, 1980 as well as to the First and Second Protocols on its interpretation by the Court of Justice of the European Communities.
Pursuant to Article 28, the Rome Convention of 1980 is open for signature to States which are party to the Treaty establishing the European Community. The 25 contracting parties have declared that they will take all the necessary measures to ratify the Convention within a reasonable period of time.
This convention has been signed by the 25 European countries but it has not been ratified yet. It shall enter into force on the first day of the third month following the deposit of the second instrument of ratification.
For each State ratifying this Convention after the deposit of the second instrument of ratification, this Convention shall enter into force on the first day of the third month following the deposit by such a State of its instrument of ratification.
