In April 2007, the UKs Commercial Bar Association (COMBAR) held its annual meeting at the University of Richmond, Virginia. The timing of the meeting was designed to form part of the celebration of the 400th anniversary of the signing of the Virginia Charter and the founding of Jamestown. The conference took as its topic "The Rule of Law," and brought together lawyers from around the common law world, as well as some from outside, to debate the meaning and importance of this fundamentally important topic. Judges from the UK Court of Appeal and the UK House of Lords were present to take part, along with members of the US Supreme Court and the US 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 Virginia Charter, brings the learning and wisdom of the conference speakers to a wider audience. The book is published on behalf of the COMBAR, which represents UK barristers w