Annual Birkenhead Lecture 2021

The 14th annual Birkenhead Lecture at Gray's Inn.

Louise Gullifer QC (hon), FBA delivers this year's annual Birkenhead lecture on 'The private law of digital assets: what is it and what should it be?'

Digital assets, such as ‘crypto-currencies’, ‘crypto-securities’ and NFTs are becoming an increasingly significant part of the financial and investment landscape. Regulators around the world are looking carefully at this market segment, but it is also important to consider the private law rules and principles applying to these types of assets. Is it appropriate to apply existing concepts and principles, or are the difficulties insuperable? If so, what should the law be? What is the best means by which the law is clarified: case law or legislation (or a mixture of both)? Drawing on work done by national and international bodies in this area, including projects in which she is involved run by UNIDROIT and the Law Commission of England and Wales, Professor Louise Gullifer will explore these questions and issues.

This is a recording of the event that took place on 15 November 2021.