This volume investigates the foundational principles and evolving complexities surrounding contract formation and the identification of parties within commercial law. The editors, Andrew A. Burrows and Edwin Peel, curate a collection of scholarly papers derived from the 2009 Oxford-Norton Rose Law colloquium. By synthesizing insights from both legal practitioners and academic experts, the text provides a rigorous examination of the mechanisms that govern how contracts are established and who is bound by their terms.

Legal professionals and academics frequently utilize this text as a reference for understanding the intersection of theory and practice in contract law. Experts highlight the volume as a significant contribution to the Oxford-Norton Rose Law series due to its focus on the practical application of commercial legal principles.