With respect to legally binding instruments such as international conventions, the UNIDROIT Principles of International Commercial Contracts are a non-binding or “soft-law” instrument of commercial practice.

As a close partner to UNIDROIT, ICC monitored the process and appreciates its results. The lack of uniform rules creates difficulties for parties, particularly in the field of international agency agreements: They have to rely on national laws. Not only do these laws differ from country to country, but they also do not take into account the international nature of the contract.

The ICC Model Commercial Agency Contract provides an alternative solution. To assist business people engaged in international trade and using uniform contractual rules, the model incorporates prevailing practice in international trade as well as the principles generally recognized by the domestic laws on agency.

The revised 2002 version includes the UNIDROIT Principles of International Commercial Contracts in the appendix. Those principles offer a legal framework to the majority of general contractual problems (e.g. formation of contract, validity, performance, non-performance, damages, etc.).

Additionally, the ICC Model Distributorship Contract and the ICC Model International Franchising Contract give parties the opportunity to contract into the UNIDROIT Principles of International Commercial Contracts. UNIDROIT Principles of International Commercial Contracts are also permanently subject to discussion during ICC conferences and seminars.