The more cautious European experience demonstrates that harmonisation between contractual freedom, consumer protection, and the public interest is necessary in this field, albeit with little certainty as to the most appropriate path to pursue; A trend may be discerned towards recognising that suppliers of alcoholic beverages assume not only a commercial function, but also a social responsibility; The imposition of liability upon establishments for the excessive supply of alcoholic beverages should always be regarded not merely as a sanction, but as an instrument of prevention and reinforcement of social trust, capable of aligning economic activity with the objectives of public health and collective safety. From the foregoing conclusions, we make the following recommendations, particularly with regard to the Portuguese law system, though capable of being generalised within the European Union: Legal clarification of the duty to refuse service to visibly intoxicated customers, along the lines already established for the sale of alcohol to underaged; Mandatory training for hospitality and beverage professionals on the responsible supply of alcohol; Strict civil liability in cases of manifest risk, inspired by the American model of the Dram Shop Laws, albeit adapted to the Portuguese legal context; Integration of such liability within broader public policies aimed at preventing risks associated with excessive alcohol consumption, with specific connections to road safety and public security in general. BIBLIOGRAPHY Ascensão, J. O. (2004) O Direito, Introdução e Teoria Geral, Almedina, Coimbra, 2004. Castronovo, C. (1997), La Nuova Responsabilità Civile, Giuffrè, Milano. Cordeiro, M. (1984) Da Boa Fé no Direito Civil, I e II, Coimbra, 1984. Cordeiro, M. (2017) Tratado de Direito Civil – VIII, Almedina, Coimbra, 2017. Costa, P. C. (2016), Causalidade, Dano e Prova, Almedina, Coimbra. Frada, M. C. (1998), A responsabilidade objetiva por facto de outrem face à distinção entre responsabilidade obrigacional e aquiliana, Direito e Justiça (Revista da Faculdade de Direito da Universidade Católica Portuguesa), Volume XII, Tomo 1, Lisboa, 1998. Fulbrook, J. (2007). Alcohol and third parties:” dram shop liability” and beyond. Journal of Personal Injury Law, (3), 220-237. 186 JOÃO ALMEIDA VIDAL
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTE4NzM5Nw==