I would like to extend my gratitude to many individuals in many countries
who so generously contributed to this book. Special mention goes to Prof.
Dr. Rosemarie Nagel (Universidad Pompeu Fabra) and Prof. Dr. Carlos
Gómez Ligüerre (Universidad Pompeu Fabra) for the incredible opportunities
that they gave me and for their professional and personal support throughout
the years. Special thanks go also to Prof. Dr. Nuno Garoupa (Texas A&M
University) for providing me with innovative ideas during our cooperation
on Legal Origins and the Efficiency Dilemma. I would like to thank also Prof.
Dr. Justin Borg-Barthet for his indispensable contributions and guidance.
I further wish to thank my family for standing beside me all of this time:
without your support and encouragement the path would have been more
difficult. Very special thanks also to my uncle, Janez, for always being there
for me and encouraging me along the way: I will never be able to repay you.
Finally, I dedicate this book to my daughter, Zoé, who recently joined us
and filled my world with colours I never knew existed.