This book investigates the core question of how private law functions as the primary mechanism governing interpersonal relationships among individuals in their private capacity. Hanoch Dagan and Avihay Dorfman, both established scholars in legal theory, utilize a framework of relational justice to argue that private law is not merely a set of rules for property or contract, but a normative structure that facilitates mutual respect and autonomy between private actors. They synthesize existing legal doctrines with political and moral philosophy to propose a cohesive theory that distinguishes private interactions from state-citizen obligations.

Legal scholars frequently cite this work as a significant contribution to contemporary jurisprudence, noting its rigorous philosophical approach to private law. Experts highlight the text as a dense, academic exploration that is best suited for advanced students and practitioners of legal theory.