This English edition of a classic text on the subject of commercial credit and security has been re-written to emphasise English law, and focuses on the liability of a surety to pay a commercial debt if the principal borrower does not. The coverage includes: analysis of the factors affecting the validity of the guarantee such as duress and undue influence and the liability of the lender for the acts of the principal borrower; construction of guarantees and the meaning of clauses commonly inserted in guarantees; special principles applicable to guarantees being discharged, and how the lender can guard against that eventuality; difficulties in enforcing guarantees; and rights of guarantors, including rights of set off, indemnity and contribution.