Synopses & Reviews
The last edition of this book saw a major restructuring of the whole work, and an attempt to introduce a number of new themes, in particular, to stress the resurgence of freedom of contract ideology, and to introduce some basic economic issues in contract law. In this edition, the general structure of the book has been left untouched, although the whole work has been completely updated and modernized by replacing old and outdated examples with more modern questions. The aims of the book remain unchanged: to supply a basic introduction, not merely to the law of contact, but also to theories and policies and ideas underlying the subject. In addition, the author has constantly resorted to a modern historical approach, giving the student some sense of how the law has developed over the past 100 years.
Widely recognised as one of the most interesting an innovative books on contract to have been published in the last 25 years, An Introduction to the Law of Contract remains as popular with students and their teachers as it was when it was first published.
Synopsis
This is the new sixth edition of Atiyah's Introduction to the Law of Contract that offers a clear and comprehensive account of this area of law. This latest edition, by Stephen Smith, retains the general shape and structure of Atiyah's classic book but as with previous editions, the text has been completely revised and updated to place the law of contract in a modern context. Combining coverage of the law with an account of perspectives on contract law, Smith addresses European influences on the subject and takes all key changes and developments in the law and current literature into account. The aims of the book, however, remain unchanged: to supply a basic introduction, not merely to the law of Contract, but also to theories, policies and ideas underlying the subject. This remains a stimulating and innovative introduction for all students coming to Contract Law for the first time.
About the Author
Stephen Smith is Professor of Law at the McGill University in Montreal and former Tutor and Fellow in Law at St Anne's College, Oxford.
Table of Contents
1. The Development of the Modern Law of Contract
2. Definition and Classification of Contracts
3. Contracts Made by the Parties: Offer and Acceptance
4. Contracts Made by the Courts
5. Certainty
6. Consideration
7. The Intention to Create Legal Relations
8. Formality
9. The Different Kinds of Contractual Duties
10. Contractual Duties Fixed by the Parties
11. Contractual Duties Not Fixed by the Parties
12. The Construction of the Contract
13. The Duty to Disclose Material Facts
14. Misrepresentation
15. Duress and Undue Influence
16. Unfair Contracts
17. Void Contracts
18. Illegal Contracts
19. The Enforcement of Contractual Rights by Third Parties
20. The Enforcement of Contractual Rights Against Third Parties
21. Termination and Rescission of Contracts
22. Remedies for Breach of Contract