Roman Arbitration

Arbitration, the Roman Way Roman Arbitration By Derek Roebuck and Bruno de Loynes de Fumichon. Oxford, England: HOLO Books, The Arbitration Press, 2004. Hardcover. 283 pages.-40. (In the U.S., the book costs $76 plus postage, all 1-800-942-8683 or 941-778-5211 to order a copy, or send e-mail through

Derek Roebuck is to arbitration scholars what Sue Grafton is to mystery fans. The reader of both authors anticipate the next installment.

A lot less commercial, but far more erudite than Grafton, Roebuck has written a great series of books about arbitration during ancient times. This time around, he tackles Roman arbitration, and he makes wonderful use of the expertise of French co-author, Bruno de Loynes de Fumichon, whose doctoral thesis became the basis of this book.

In this meticulously researched work, the authors explore the concept and practice of arbitration and other means of dispute resolution from 450 B.C. to A.D. 640. This kind of work depends largely on the translation and interpretation of existing records and other evidence. Fortunately, the authors are excellent linguists. Throughout the book, they provide English translations of sample arbitration agreements and settlements in both Greek and Latin.