Perspectives on international insolvency law: a tribute to Bob Wessels is first of all what it says it is: a Festschrift to commemorate Professor Bob Wessels' retirement from his chair on International Insolvency Law at Leiden Law School, Leiden University, the Netherlands. Bob joined Leiden University in 2007. At the time he took with him more than thirty years of experience in professional practice and in academic research and education. In professional practice he was a partner of the Legal Services group Ernst & Young Tax Advisors and their alliance partner Holland van Gijzen Attorneys and Civil Law Notaries. He also was a professor of Civil and Commercial Law at his alma mater, Vrije University Amsterdam.At Leiden University Bob created a center of expertise of International Insolvency Law. He raised funds and encouraged young researchers to unravel the mysteries of international insolvency law, theory and jurisprudence. By sharing his expertise with young people and with experienced judges, attorneys and researchers Bob multiplied the knowledge of international insolvency law.A scholar of his standing simply deserves a Festschrift. Those who know Bob will acknowledge that the book should be more than a nice and friendly collection of papers. In order to be of real interest to Bob it should further international insolvency law. Having the incredible list of publications of professor Wessels in mind (seewww.bobwessels.nl ) finding themes, analyses and outcomes that can meet Bob's level is quite a challenge.The contributors to this book took up the challenge. Indeed, the editors are convinced that the authors have succeeded in taking original angles or in suggesting original solutions. Lawyers, judges and academics from all over the world have found time and inspiration to contribute to Bob's center of interest: international insolvency law and international rescue and insolvency systems.This Festschrift consists of two parts: Perspectives on international insolvency law and Perspectives on international rescue- and insolvency systems. In Part one 13 papers discuss the workings of the European Insolvency Regulation, the proposal for its amendment and other related European insolvency issues. In Part two 6 papers focus on rescue and insolvency systems, business rescue perspectives and the difficulties of the decision process in rescues.