Abstract

GONZALEZ BAHAMON, José Leonardo. Responsibility in the Sale of Financial Derivatives. Estud. Socio-Juríd [online]. 2007, vol.9, n.2, pp.142-178. ISSN 0124-0579.

Sellers of financial derivatives normally have a greater expertise in comparison with buyers and are therefore in a superior position to fully understand the implications of the products on offer; consequently, there is a necessity for consumer protection in favour of end-users. However, as most of the transactions in the OTC market are carried out between professionals, courts have been reluctant to recognise any advisory duty on the part of sellers that may generate liability, based on the argument that fiduciary duties rarely arise among professionals. In the nineties Banker Trust (BT), a leading seller of financial derivatives was involved in multiple litigation with buyers in England and U.S.A, who brought about similar actions based on the Anglo-Saxon legal concepts, labelled, undue influence, misrepresentation and a purported breach of a duty of care on the part of BT. This article analyses the aforementioned causes of action in relation to the main case decided in England on the liability of selling financial derivatives (Bankers Trust International PLC v PT Dharmala Sakti Sejahtera) and also assesses some of the relevant legal concepts on this matter under Colombian Law.

Keywords : Financial derivatives; Undue influence; Misrepresentation.

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