"Goode on Payment Obligations in Commercial and Financial Transactions" by Royston Miles Goode is a comprehensive legal text that focuses on the principles and regulations governing payment obligations in commercial and financial transactions. Here is a detailed overview of the book:

Key Themes

1. Payment Obligations: The book covers all forms of payment obligations, including the definition of money and payment, international inter-bank transfers, and foreign money obligations.
2. Legal Principles: It provides in-depth analysis of the underlying legal principles governing payment obligations, including the concepts of money, payment, obligation to pay, and the right to payment.
3. Defences and Remedies: The text examines the defences and remedies regarding payment claims, such as express and implied terms regarding time, the impact of termination of contract, and the acceleration of liability.
4. Complex Issues: It delivers robust views on complex and important areas such as compound interest, payment to an agent, recovery of exchange rate losses, and foreign illegality.
5. International Aspects: The book considers international inter-bank transfers and foreign money obligations, providing a comparative approach to problems that are international in character.
6. E-Money and Payment by Card: It provides an introduction to e-money and payment by card, offering insights into modern payment methods.
7. Anti-Money Laundering Legislation: The text examines the procedures that banks must adopt to comply with anti-money laundering legislation without exposing themselves to claims from customers.

Plot Summary

The book is structured to provide clear and in-depth answers to issues arising from monetary obligations. It starts by defining the fundamental concepts of money and payment, then delves into the common law and legislative regulations governing these transactions. The text is organized to cover various aspects of payment obligations, from domestic transactions to international inter-bank transfers, and from traditional payment methods to modern e-money systems.

Critical Reception

While specific reviews are not provided in the sources, the book is widely regarded as an essential source for practitioners dealing with payment obligations. It is praised for its rigorous analysis of underlying legal principles and its comprehensive coverage of complex issues in the field. The book is recommended for its ability to shed light on familiar problems and provide solutions through its detailed explanations and comparative approach to international problems.

Editions and Availability

The book is available in various formats, including hardback, eBook, and ProView eBook bundles. It has been published in multiple editions, with the fourth edition being the latest version. The book is available from major legal publishers and can also be found in some online archives.