Good faith

Definizione

Good faith is the principle that parties must deal honestly, fairly, and reasonably with one another, both when negotiating and when performing a contract. In Dutch law this is the central doctrine of redelijkheid en billijkheid: under article 6:248 it can supplement the contract with additional duties and, in exceptional cases, set aside a clause that would be unacceptable to apply. Article 6:2 extends the same standard to all obligations between parties.

Esempio

A party tries to enforce a clause to the letter in a way neither side ever intended; a court may set it aside as contrary to reasonableness and fairness.

Perché rappresenta un rischio aziendale

Good faith is a double-edged principle. It can protect you when a counterparty exploits a technicality, but it also creates implied obligations that go beyond the written text. Businesses that rely on the literal wording of a clause to avoid responsibilities that any reasonable person would expect them to honour may find courts unwilling to enforce that position.

Come gestirlo

• Draft contracts with the intent of the parties clear on paper, so there is no room for a court to imply a different obligation.
• When a contract becomes difficult to perform, communicate early and in writing rather than simply defaulting; courts look at the conduct of both parties.
• Review long-term contracts periodically to check whether changed circumstances have created a gap that good faith might fill in an unexpected way.

Riferimenti normativi

• BW 6:248 Dutch Civil Code: supplementary and derogating effect Diritto olandese
• BW 6:2 Dutch Civil Code: reasonableness and fairness between parties Diritto olandese

Salvo diversa indicazione, i riferimenti riguardano il diritto olandese (Burgerlijk Wetboek, il Codice Civile olandese); gli strumenti UE come il GDPR si applicano in tutta l'UE. Si tratta di informazioni generali, non di consulenza legale. Altre giurisdizioni trattano questi concetti in modo diverso. Verifichi il testo vigente e la propria situazione con un avvocato qualificato.