Laws for a Nation and Laws for Transnational Commerce

An authoritative assessment of the relationship between national and transnational law, with recommendations for practical improvements.

John Thomas (Author)

9781009627832, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 20 November 2025

246 pages
21.6 x 14 x 1.6 cm, 0.434 kg

'This is an excellent book. Its account of how English commercial law became and remains a system for transnational commerce is perceptive and historically informed. Its agenda of steps for maintaining English law's prominence in international commerce and finance is sensible and achievable, as well as providing a template for other jurisdictions. None of this should be a surprise from an author who was a leader of the commercial bar, a first-class judge, and an accomplished judicial reformer.' Ross Cranston, Butterworths Journal of International Banking and Financial Law

In the 75th Hamlyn Lectures, former Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales Lord Thomas examines Welsh law and the law used for transnational commerce to assess what laws are best national in their application and which are best transnational. He first argues that Wales as a nation should be able to make its own laws on the basis of clear principles and sets out possible solutions to the issues raised by the devolution of law-making powers in 1999. He then explains the success of English commercial law in attaining transnational use and examines the emergence of transnational law from the late nineteenth century. At a time of unprecedented change and competition, his analysis of the present position of the use of English law for transnational commerce and the challenges it faces provides the essential context for a series of practical options for its continued use in the future.

1. Laws for a nation – Wales
2. Laws for transnational commerce: English commercial law as a system for transnational commerce
3. The development of transnational law for commerce and the continuing role of English commercial law.

Subject Areas: Law & society [LAQ]