Towards the Harmonization of Commercial Law in the Caribbean: The OHADAC Principles on International Business Contracts

This article analyzes the process for the harmonization of commercial law in the Caribbean and its first product the OHADAC Principles applicable to international commercial contracts. To do this, it examines: the Caribbean region in the legal, educational and linguistic fields; the participation of international organizations; the OHADAC Principles and soft law legislative technique. It is concluded that, the application of the OHADAC Principles grants legal certainty and speed in the determination of the applicable law in international trade agreements and its effectiveness would be determined by its own intrinsic value in the absence of binding force.