”Non-freedom” of a contract and unfair contractual terms in the practice of state and municipal procurement

Abstract

The majority of contemporary studies devoted to the freedom of contract is devoted to the peculiarities of implementation of this principle in commercial relations. The article analyzes the other side of the freedom of contract — its application in state and municipal procurement. The author analyzes conclusions drawn in Resolution of the Plenum of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation of March 14, 2014 No. 16 “On freedom of contract and its limits” on the basis of court disputes between public procurement authorities and suppliers within the framework of the Federal Law of April 5, 2013 No. 44-FZ “On the contract system in the procurement of goods, works and services for state and municipal needs.” The paper determines the key features of the principle of freedom of contract at the stage of determining the supplier and at the stage of performance of obligations under procurement contracts. Special attention is paid to the assessment of negotiation opportunities, public procurement authorities and participants of procurement, the problem of abuse of the right by a stronger party depending on the starting conditions of the purchase and the ways of its implementation by the public procurement authority. The analysis of arguments of courts concerning interpretation of terms of procurement contracts from the point of view of freedom of contract and its limits is presented. To sum up, the author provides for practical recommendations and conclusions.