2.5 Outline contract for the provision of supplies or services between local authorities in frontier areas ("public-law" type)

2.5 Outline contract for the provision of supplies or services
between local authorities in frontier areas ("public-law" type)

Introductory note: This type of contract is similar to that dealt with under 2.4 ("private-law" contracts) in that it relates to specific purposes. This type is more particularly concerned with concessions or contracts for public services or public works (or services or works which are regarded as "public" by one of the countries concerned), or the provision of contributory finance*(38), from one authority to another on the other side of the frontier. Such public concessions entail special risks and responsibilities related to the public services provided which require the inclusion in the contract of other provisions in addition to those specified in the model "private-law" contract.

"Transfrontier" contracts of this type are not necessarily permitted in all countries. Consequently, the possibility of such arrangements and the conditions for their use would often first have to be provided for in an inter-state agreement (see model agreement 1.4).

The use of such a contract, which is simple enough to devise and implement, could in some cases obviate the need for a joint agency of the "Transfrontier Syndicate of Local Authorities" type (see 2.6), which raises other legal problems.