"Until a few years ago, nothing seemed impossible in terms of the further development of European Private Law. Important projects such as the Common Frame of Reference and a Common European Sales Law were discussed, even a European Civil Code seemed to be within reach. With the failure of these ideas, however, the great visions for European Private Law have become silent, which does not take away from the fact that it is nevertheless developing steadily, only in a more small-scale and fragmentary manner than originally envisioned. This book aims on the one hand to show the state of development of European Private Law in all its facets, and on the other hand to answer the question of what the acquis communautaire of the future should look like."--.