Lost in translation? Negotiating and interpreting international contracts: how to address and reconcile diverse legal and cultural approaches?
The session will be a lively and enriching round table with international lawyers and in-house counsels providing their perspectives and guidance on how not to get lost in translation when negotiating and interpreting international contracts. We will discuss how the negotiation and interpretation of international contracts are influenced by the diverse legal cultures and negotiating approaches of the parties, as well as by the law applicable to the contract. The dos and don'ts of international contracting will be shared. Drawing from their extensive on-field experience, our speakers will exchange insights on how legal departments and law firms negotiate international contracts with partners in different jurisdictions and legal cultures. The session will also explore how  the applicable law may influence the interpretation of contract provisions leading to different and sometimes unexpected outcomes. Questions will be raised and discussed with speakers and participants on whether the choice by the parties to apply UNIDROIT principles to the contract or the application international uniform law such as with regard to international sales contracts the Convention on International Sales of Goods or OHADA uniform sale law - may help to bridge a gap between different legal jurisdictions.