Conflict of laws

Introduction
Defining conflict of laws
Diversity of legal systems
The nature of conflicts law
Common principles
Jurisdiction
- Rationale behind choice of jurisdiction
- Differences between civil-law and common-law countries in the absence of a choice by the parties
- Notification of parties
Choice of law
- Historical development
- Contemporary developments
- Applications in the United States
- Applications in EU member countries
- Applications in other countries
- Other considerations
Recognition and enforcement of judgments
International criminal law

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conflict of laws summary

Related Questions

How are foreign judgments recognized and enforced when a debtor has assets in another country?
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Conflict of laws

Written by

Max Rheinstein

Max Pam Professor of Comparative Law, University of Chicago, 1942–68. Coauthor of Law of Decedents' Estates.

Max RheinsteinAll

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Britannica Editors

Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....

Britannica Editors

Last updated

Oct. 31, 2026 •History

Conflict of laws, the existence worldwide, and within individual countries, of different legal traditions, different specific rules of private law, and different systems of private law, all of which are administered by court systems similarly subject to different rules and traditions of procedure. The “law of the conflict of laws” pertains to the resolution of problems resulting from such diversity of courts and law. Each country’s legal system reflects its society’s values. As a result,...

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