The papers presented are written by eminent scholars, judges from the UK Courts and members of the US Supreme Court. It will be of interest to practitioners interested in commercial and public law.In April 2007 COMBAR held its annual meeting in conjunction with the University of Richmond, Virginia. The timing of the meeting was designed to form part of the celebrations of the 400th anniversary of the signing of the Virginia Charter and the founding of Jamestown. The conference which was conducted at the meeting took as its topic 'The Rule of Law', and brought together lawyers from around the common law world (and some from outside) to debate the meaning and importance of this fundamentally important topic. Judges from the UK Court of Appeal and House of Lords were present to take part, along with members of the US Supreme Court and Courts of Appeal, and representatives from around the globe as well as from many different spheres of activity. This book, which commemorates both the conference and the Viriginia Charter, brings the learning and wisdom of the speakers to a wider audience.This book is published on behalf of the Commercial Bar Association (COMBAR) which represents barristers who practise in the field of international and commercial law. COMBAR represents the whole Commercial Bar and constitutes a body of specialist expertise and advocacy skills in banking, insurance, international trade, shipping and other key commercial activities.