The Legal Concept of Money ― What Is Money and Why Does It Matter?

This is the first book of recent times to focus on the question of how money, the term to include coins, notes, credit and virtual currency, should be defined from both a legal and an economic perspective.

As new electronic payment mechanisms proliferate, this question of definition is likely to become an important issue in global legal, commercial, economic, macroprudential and fiscal policymaking. The book re-examines 'money' in this context by identifying the role it plays in various transactions and to what extent, for example, cryptocurrencies and 'quasi-money' are interchangeable with, analogous to, or different from traditional monetary systems.

Beginning with a summary of the legal nature of money, the book explains the distinction between money and payment obligations, as well as providing an overview of the fundamental characteristics of money. It analyses how the law identifies money by pinpointing characteristics of particular transactions such as sale of goods transactions, including the position where the exchange of goods is for 'e-currency'. Other situations or transactions examined would include the recovery of stolen money, claims for non-delivery of money, and how obligations to pay operate. The book also considers the role of money in the banking system, exploring how various currencies can be used as claims on financial institutions, examining whether the systemic stability of the industry is threatened by non-traditional currency forms. Finally, the book addresses, and seeks to develop a conceptual framework for how alternative currencies might work in place of money as a medium for saving.

Simon Gleeson, Partner, Clifford Chance LLP

Simon Gleeson is a Partner at Clifford Chance LLP in London, specialising in banking and financial markets law and regulation, clearing, settlement and derivatives.

Simon's experience includes advising governments, regulators and public bodies as well as banks, investment firms, fund managers and other financial institutions on a wide range of regulatory issues. He is described by all of the major legal directories as one of the world's leading experts in financial services and banking regulation, capital markets and derivatives.

In addition to his private practice, Simon is heavily engaged in the development of law and policy in finance. He is generally regarded as one of the intellectual leaders in the post-crisis reform of financial regulatory and resolution law.