In this study, attention is drawn to a number of issues related to contract law. Topics that are addressed are the meaning of the concept of declaration of intent, what characterizes contract interpretation, the importance of formalism and pragmatism in contract law and what characterizes what is called genuine freedom of contract.
Furthermore, attention is paid to the Unfair Contract Terms Directive and how this can be further developed. Finally, the relationship between genuine freedom of contract and collective agreements is analyzed. The presentation contains both more philosophically oriented parts and parts of a more practical kind.

Ola Svensson is Professor Emeritus of Private Law and Reader of Jurisprudence at the Faculty of Law in Lund.