The e-commerce regulation in the European Union

: are there enough tools for the correct functioning of the single digital market?

Abstract

The main objective of the present work is to analyze the functioning of e-commerce within the European Union.In this regard, in order to carry out a solid and reasoned study, we will use as abasis for our analysis the main Directives and Regulations applicable to electronic commerce, as well as the co-related decisions established by the Court of Justice of the European Union and other cases used as a matter to exemplify possible disputes that may occur within the electronic commerce atmosphere.Therefore, first the work will give an overall perspective about the importance of E-commerce, most particularly the European Union, highlighting the exceptional moment the world is facing and, consequently, the increasing importance of electronic commerce as a mechanism to help public safety.In the second part, we will make a historical drawing of the main legal instruments adopted by the European Union, namely the directives on E-commerce, Consumer Rights and Alternative Dispute resolution, as well as Regulations about General data Protection and Online Dispute Resolution for Consumer Disputes. Each chapter will be accompanied by a case discussed in court or used as an example by some institution in order to understand the application of the laws, making the subject less abstract. Last but not least important, the third part will be the conclusion of the work and where we are going to answer if current state of the legal framework applied to e-commerce within the European Union is sufficient for its correct functioning or whether new rules shall be adopted.

Date of Award	12 Nov 2020
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	António Frada de Sousa (Supervisor)