Books in the Key Ideas in Law series

This book introduces the reader to a number of ideas and issues that underlie the English law of contract-an area of law that is often regarded as forbiddingly dry and technical but which is here made easy to understand and full of interest.Taking as its starting point the role contract law plays in helping markets to operate, the book explains how contract law regulates the commercial risks people take, while at the same time placing limits on what may be bought and sold, and ensuring that contractual powers are not unacceptably abused. A final chapter discusses how contract law can be used to make gifts of binding promises to other people. The book provides a rigorous and stimulating journey through the ideas underpinning contract law and is essential reading for anyone with an interest in the subject.'Clearly written and bursting with interesting and novel ideas, this lively book will be a great resource for anyone interested in Contract Law.'Paul S Davies, Professor of Commercial Law, University College London

This book offers nine key ideas about tort law that will help the reader to understand its various social functions and evaluate its effectiveness in performing those functions. The book focuses, in particular, on how tort law can guide people's behaviour, and the political and social environments within which it operates. It also provides the reader with a wealth of detail about the ideas and values that underlie tort 'doctrine'-tort law's rules and principles, and the way those rules and principles operate in practice. The book is an accessible introduction to tort law that will provide students, scholars and practitioners alike with a fresh and engaging view of the subject.'In this masterful and engaging survey, Peter Cane provides an array of illuminating perspectives on the law of torts, laying bare its nature, structure and functions, as well as its legal, social and political context.'Andrew Robertson, Professor of Law, Melbourne Law School

Prompted by the events following the 2016 referendum on EU membership and written during the COVID-19 pandemic by one of the leading public lawyers of our day, this book considers two key constitutional principles, the rule of law and separation of powers, by examining the generality, certainty and predictability of law, relations between the different branches of the state, and the mechanisms of accountability within our democracy.Since the referendum and in the light of the restrictions imposed to deal with the pandemic, and the use of guidelines presented as rules to do so, attention has refocused on the relationship and respective powers and competences of the three branches of the state, the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary. They have also placed strains on our unwritten constitution that have been unknown in modern times.The role of the courts and of the rule of law, has been dramatically illustrated by recent litigation, most notably the decisions on whether legislation was needed to serve notice of the UK's intention to leave the EU and whether the prorogation of the Westminster Parliament in 2019 was a matter for the courts as opposed to a political question for government.Set against this backdrop, the book answers the following questions:- How accessible is the law and how does it avoid arbitrariness?- How is access to justice protected?- How does our constitution reflect the separation of powers and the balance of responsibilities between law and politics?- How does our democracy enable majorities and protect minorities?