Quote Originally Posted by allodial View Post
The monetary systems and systems of free trade and exchange are extensions effectively of a courts of equity. The weaponization of commerce, trade or exchange of a society is evidence of inside treason, subversion or the like. Equity must follow the law or it is not equity. If equity is not at the heart of the court's purpose, then it is not a court of equity. The head of the Court of the Exchequer was referred to as "the Treasurer". Lawful money and equity perhaps go hand in hand. Perhaps one can choose inequity/iniquity and the consequences instead (i.e. become a target of prosecution of war)?
In English history, Lex Mercatoria developed independently of the Common Law. Such systems also developed their own courts independently of the law of the land. Merchant courts focused on speed and quick resolution. It was a ruling by Lord Mansfield that merged Lex Mercatoria with English Common Law. This move was one of the complaints the colonists had against England and was a factor in crafting the Declaration of Independence.

It is interesting that two hundred years after the merger of Lex Mercatoria with Common Law, the federal courts of the US merged the procedures of law and equity with state courts to follow.

While the procedures were merged, the bodies of law, however, remain separate and distinct.

In all likelihood, merchant law is a continuation of Babylonian Law.