this book acts as a guide to companies doing business with parties in the european union. it provides the reader with answers to key questions of private international law. when and under which conditions can the court(s) of an eu member state assume jurisdiction and which law will be applied? will the resulting judgment be recognised and enforced in other eu member states? in addition to a general explanation of the system of private international law in the eu member states, the book provides answers on questions of jurisdiction and applicable law in a selection of areas: the negotiation and conclusion of general contracts, consumer contracts, individual employment contracts, directors’ liability and tort. the integrated treatment of jurisdiction and applicable law for each of these subjects also makes the book an excellent guide to legal practice.