United Nations Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts

The Australian Government is currently considering accession to the United Nations Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts.

The convention aims to facilitate international trade by offering practical solutions for issues with the formation or performance of contracts between parties in different countries.

The convention was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2005.

It contains some refinements in approach since the Model Law on Electronic Commerce—inspiration for Australia's uniform electronic transactions regime—was finalised in 1996. The Electronic Transactions Acts of the Commonwealth, states and territories have been amended to accord with the convention by clarifying traditional rules on contract formation.