The rapid expansion of non-discrimination provisions through EU legislation and court decisions gives rise to the need to determine the foundations, objectives and limitations of protection against discrimination in relation to freedom of contract. This new challenge in the field of European private law may only be overcome through a discussion of the different legal traditions in Europe. Such a discussion is presented in this volume by legal scholars from a number of European nations.

is Professor for German and European Civil Law and Director of the Institute of International Economic Law, of the Institute for the History of Law and the Centre for European Private Law at the University of Münster; vice-president of the European Law Faculties Association and chairman of the German group of Association Henri Capitant.