General rules as to applicable lawU.K.
1(1)Where the policy holder has his habitual residence or central administration within the territory of the member State where the risk is situated, the law applicable to the contract is the law of that member State.
However, where the law of that member State so allows, the parties may choose the law of another country.
(2)Where the policy holder does not have his habitual residence or central administration within the territory of the member State where the risk is situated, the parties to the contract may choose to apply either—
(a)the law of the member State where the risk is situated, or
(b)the law of the country in which the policy holder has his habitual residence or central administration.
(3)Where the policy holder carries on a business and the contract covers two or more risks relating to his business which are situated in different member States, the freedom of choice of the law applicable to the contract extends to the laws of those member States and of the country in which he has his habitual residence or central administration.
In this sub-paragraph “business” includes a trade or profession.
(4)Where the member States referred to in sub-paragraph (2) or (3) grant greater freedom of choice of the law applicable to the contract, the parties may take advantage of that freedom.
(5)Notwithstanding sub-paragraphs (1) to (3), when the risks covered by the contract are limited to events occurring in a member State other than the member State where the risk is situated, the parties may always choose the law of the former State.
[(6)Where the risk—
(a)is situated in an EFTA state and falls within class 4, 5, 6, 7, 11 or 12 of Part I of Schedule 2 to this Act; or
(b)is situated in a member State and is a large risk,
the parties to the contract may choose any law.
(7)Where the risk is situated in a member State which has implemented the transitional provisions in Article 27 of the second general insurance Directive, the meaning of 'large risk’ for the purposes of sub-paragraph (6) above shall be determined in accordance with the law applicable in that State.]
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