This collection of essays, contributed by friends and colleagues of Barry Nicholas, is a Festschrift to mark the occasion of his 70th birthday, and it is also an important contribution to the study of a specific area of Roman Law.

Barry Nicholas is one of the leading comparatists and Roman lawyers of his day. For many years All Souls Reader in Roman Law, and then Professor of Comparative Law in the University of Oxford, he retires this year after more than 10 years as Principal of Brasenose College.