The law entails important consequences for the economy, even though they use different languages. In Anglo-Saxon countries a research approach called "Law and Economics" has been active for many years, whereas in others economic and legal analysis have only recently started to interact. This volume offers a useful introduction to the economic analysis of law and illustrates the economic function of fundamental legal institutions, such as property, civil responsibility, contracts, businesses, sanctions, and judgements. The text adopts a straightforward, simple expository style and employs effective graphic representations.

Contents: Presentation, by A. Petretto - Introduction - 1. Market and Efficiency - 2. Economic Theories of Property - 3. Intellectual Property - 4. Civil Responsibility - 5. Contracts - 6- Enterprise - 7. Law and Finance - 8. Repression of Illegality - 9. Judicial Controversies - Suggested Readings

Luigi Alberto Franzoni teaches Economic Analysis of Law at the University of Bologna.