Exploring the Evolution of Contractual Concepts within Regulation No 1215/2012 Through CJEU Judgments: Civil and Commercial Matters, Contracts, Tenancies of Immovable Property, and Provision of Services Under Examination

Abstract

Starting with the ruling of the Court of Justice of the European Union in the Obala case, this article explores: how the Court has redefined the concepts of ‘contract matters’ and ‘tort, delict, or quasi-delict matters’; actions related to ‘tenancy agreements for immovable property’ versus ‘rights in rem’; and the evolving interpretation of ‘services’ within the Brussels I Recast Regulation on jurisdiction, recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters. It also illustrates the discrepancies in the analysis of the term ‘civil and commercial matters’. The Obala ruling has led to changes in how these concepts are understood and studied in certain contexts, thereby reshaping their interpretative contours. As a result, this article conducts a retrospective analysis to grasp these changes and their implications.