ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book deals with consumer law proper, leaving aside areas like competition law as well as banking and insurance law. It focuses on the subject of most interest from the perspective of the theory of private law, the more general rules on consumer contracts. The book attempts to make a personal assessment of the achievements of Community consumer law from the point of view of consumer protection. It analyses the more important details of Community consumer law in connection with a general discussion of the aims and principles of this branch of Community law. The basic legislative structure of European Community (EC) consumer law is perhaps seen by the Commission as being almost in place and in the future consumer concerns may require negotiation, education and information as much as legal rights.
