This book provides a comprehensive study of two parallel notions of civil and common law: cause and consideration.It does this in three ways; with historical, comparative, and functional perspectives. Aspects of cause and consideration are hotly contested by contract lawyers and this book will bring clarity by looking at the English and Continental positions. Key areas of focus include: enforceability, questions of legality and morality, contractual justice, and the correction of unjustified property displacements. Bringing together a team of experts, the book discusses (in some cases for the first time in English) complex questions of both academic and practical importance.