Political barriers in the ratification of international commercial law conventions

Abstract This article analyses the ratification of international commercial law conventions. The Convention for International Sale Goods (CISG) is almost 40 years old. In 2012, Switzerland proposed to United Nations Commission on Trade Law (UNCITRAL) evaluate CISG and assess whether there was need a new convention. While UNCITRAL decided not pursue this further, questions that raised remain pertinent. just with regard legal convention but also regarding political viability such project. focuses latter question. It main considerations play part in process concentrates agenda setting key actors barriers encountered during ratification. written context aforementioned proposal, analysis has broader applicability conclusions highlight importance raising visibility conventions through lobbying by stakeholders, including trade associations, formulating agencies, businesses. lies understanding