Smart contracts written in quasi-natural language

Researchers from Imperial College London have developed Logic-based Production System (LPS) which aims to unify many different computing paradigms. LPS has both:
a) Logic programming rules, representing ‘beliefs’
b) Reactive rules and constraints, representing ‘goals’
Programs in LPS have both a logical and computational interpretation. The logical interpretation makes them easier to understand, develop and maintain. The computational interpretation makes them easier to execute efficiently.
The representation of beliefs as logic programs in LPS is supported by psychological and normative studies of human reasoning, such as normative models. The representation of goals in LPS is supported by their similarity to production systems, which are one of the most widely accepted computational models of human thinking.
Applying LPS to smart contracts allows users to write code which very closely resembles natural language. It closes the translation gap currently present in smart contracts and makes it possible for lawyers to generate smart contracts intuitively and directly, without the need for an intermediary programmer. Furthermore, LPS is far more compatible with regulatory compliance requirements, as the monitoring and execution of actions is backed by the clear logical reading of the contract itself. A prototype of LPS has been used to teach logic and computing to children, demonstrating its intuitiveness. The belief component of LPS has been used to formalise legislation, including sections of the British Nationality Act, thereby demonstrating its expressivity and utility. The goal component of LPS is an important addition, which allows LPS to regulate behaviour.