Publisher: Oxford University Press
Edition: 9th Edition (May 2020)
ISBN: 978-0-19885529-3
Price: £39.99
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Many undergraduates, particularly on popular modules like contract law, face a difficult decision when selecting a textbook for their undergraduate contract law course: there are simply so many good contract law textbooks. Contract Law: Text, Cases and Materials by Professor Ewan McKendrick QC, one of the leading academic contract lawyers, aims to combine text, cases and materials into one succinct and lucid text. In my view, he achieves this aim with considerable ease.
Contract Law: Text, Cases and Materials is divided into five parts: formation; terms; setting the contract aside; remedies for breach; and third party rights. This layout has been used successfully for many years. The material is logically arranged so it follows the life of a contract: from formation to its death (or performance). I am a big fan of such an approach because it gives a superb skeleton for the material allowing relevant sections to be quickly found. It also includes a wonderful Online Resource Centre which, at the time of writing, includes a wealth of additional materials (including self-test questions).
Unlike many text, cases and materials textbooks, McKendrick has used all of his skill and judgment to select the right balance throughout the text. Lucidly written, each case or material seamlessly flows into the main text ensuring the reader’s attention is not lost. By using a coloured background on cases and materials, it is also clear where these end and the text begins. Impressively, McKendrick’s Contract Law: Text, Cases and Materials is able to distil even the most complex of issues into a few sentences: this is some achievement!
Contract Law: Text, Cases and Materials unsurprisingly contains an excellent mixture of cases, materials and commentary. McKendrick’s writing style ensures these are seamlessly combined. Contract Law: Text, Cases and Materials provides a comprehensive account of the law and leading cases and materials. It can therefore be used on its own or as a supplement for an introductory contract law text. It is, and continues to be, one of the best, if not the best, text, cases and materials book on contract law.
Reviewed on 19 February 2021