Workshop 'Protecting Weaker Businesses in Contract Law'

Small and medium-sized businesses form the backbone of the European economy, accounting for 65.2% of EU employment and over half of total value added. They are essential to sustainable economic growth. However, the traditional contract law paradigm of equal bargaining power increasingly fails to reflect commercial reality.

Unlike consumers and employees, who benefit from extensive legal protection, businesses operating in vulnerable positions – including self-employed professionals, micro-enterprises, and even medium-sized companies facing market-dominant partners – often lack adequate safeguards against unfair contractual terms and exploitative practices.

This workshop addresses a critical gap in European contract law by examining whether and how weaker businesses should receive enhanced protection, building on emerging discussions about structural inequality in B2B relationships. It builds cross-border understanding of Dutch and German legal approaches, strengthening trade relations between the Netherlands and Lower Saxony while addressing power imbalances.

Its main objectives are to (1) develop a comparative framework for identifying vulnerable businesses in both legal systems, (2) explore interdisciplinary legal-economic perspectives on business protection, (3) establish an international research network within the WEAKER PIL project at the University of Groningen, and (4) produce policy recommendations.

The language of this workshop will be English.

Programme