Pragmatism in the Roman Law of Secured Credit

The modern law of secured credit in Europe is deeply rooted in Roman law. Security rights such as pledge and hypothec are the outcome of developments that emerged during the first centuries of the Common Era.

This book explores the pragmatic evolution of these rights, shaped not by abstract theory but by the realities of legal practice and the demands of commercial life. Drawing on recent research by Dutch legal historians – until now largely limited to Dutch-speaking audiences – it brings new perspectives to an international audience.