The recent financial crisis has questioned whether existing contracts may be adapted, terminated or renegotiated as a result of unexpected circumstances. The question is not a new one. In medieval times the notion of clausula rebus sic stantibus was developed to cope with such situations, and Germany introduced the theory of Wegfall der Geschaftsgrundlage. In England, the Coronation cases provided one possible answer. This comparative study explores the possibility of classifying jurisdictions as 'open' or 'closed' in this regard."

Canaris's Collected Writings will serve to permanently assure access to his work and guarantee its visibility for researchers and practitioners. This, in turn, should help to broaden his readership in Germany and abroad.

Banking Law Day 2012 in Frankfurt adressed the topics of "Anlegerschutz im Wertpapiergeschaft" and "Verantwortlichkeit der Organmitglieder von Kreditinstituten." Under the direction of Markus Artz and Volker Gro, expert speakers from academia and daily praxis debated the issues.

The recent financial crisis has questioned whether existing contracts may be adapted, terminated or renegotiated as a result of unexpected circumstances. The question is not a new one. In medieval times the notion of clausula rebus sic stantibus was developed to cope with such situations, and Germany introduced the theory of Wegfall der Geschaftsgrundlage. In England, the Coronation cases provided one possible answer. This comparative study explores the possibility of classifying jurisdictions as 'open' or 'closed' in this regard.