In the article a number of questions are introduced concerning communication about law and legal matters with non-lawyers. The discussion revolves around challenges and conditions regarding law teaching for students who do not intend to become lawyers, and concerning the grounding in research of such teaching. The cross-disciplinary context in (what is often called) commercial law teaching, and the different knowledge interests that are present in its heterogeneous variety of student groups, offers vast opportunities for the enrichment of teaching and of the research in which the teaching is based. It is therefore crucial to commit to and realise these opportunities, and at the same time to create optimal conditions for the students to acquire the (albeit limited) knowledge and skills in law that are part of the syllabus. Therefore, openness for finding the research basis in collaborations with other disciplines is required, in particular those that are central to the respective education programmes in which the students are enrolled. In the article, furthermore, the concept of ‘commercial law’ as denominator for teaching and research is problematized. Some alternative denominators, including ‘law studies with social sciences’, are discussed. The article is the introductory chapter to an edited volume in which a group of experienced and committed university researchers and teachers share their reflections on this communicating about law. Hence, the article also offers an overview of the chapters in the book.