The author describes issues and findings of a colloquium concerned with collateral in cross-border situations and considering whether English law can provide the level of certainty necessary for a major financial centre. Article by Richard Potok (Davis Polk & Wardwell, London) published in Amicus Curiae - Journal of the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies and its Society for Advanced Legal Studies. The Journal is produced by the Society for Advanced Legal Studies at the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, University of London.