The government has voted to protect businesses in Britain and Northern Ireland by signing up to new European Union legislation intended to prevent international commercial disputes.

Under the Rome I Regulation, it is made clear which law applies over a dispute involving businesses and solicitors over two different countries.

International Justice Minister Bridget Prentice said she was delighted that the regulations had been accepted by ministers and said that it would enable enterprises to continue trading cross-border with less fear of commercial disputes.

She explained: "Much of the business conducted by the UK is done by contract, and with international parties ... For these businesses and individuals, it is crucial that the law applying to their contracts is certain and predictable."

The agreement comes in response to a wide-ranging consultation over the effect such measures would have on business in Britain and Northern Ireland.

According to the Irish Times, Ireland has also recently been reviewing their commercial disputes resolution procedure, with the Law Reform Commission saying "conciliation and mediation" should be at its core.


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