A custom class loader configured to dynamically locate and load classes in a virtual machine in accordance with an associated dependency specification. The custom class loader can include class loading logic configured to specifically and dynamically locate, define and load a class specified by name. The custom class loader also can include a list of peer class loaders arranged in a peer-to-peer fashion in accordance with the associated dependency specification in the virtual machine. In this regard, list generation logic can be included which can generate the list when the specified class has been replaced. Finally, the custom class loader can include deference logic configured to defer the location, definition and loading of the specified class to the peer class loaders in the list.