The fourth edition of this acclaimed textbook addresses the developments in English contract law since the last edition, including the impact of the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union, and new case law on the role of good faith, the doctrine of consideration, rectification of written contracts for mistake, economic duress, illegality, contractual interpretation, and damages for breach of contract.

The book introduces the lawyer trained in a civil law jurisdiction to the method of reasoning in the common law, and in particular to the English law of contract. It is written for the lawyer – whether student or practitioner – from another jurisdiction who already has an understanding of a (different) law of contract, but who wishes to discover the way in which an English lawyer views a contract. However, it is also useful for the English law student: setting English contract law generally in the context of other European and international approaches, the book forms an introductory text, not only demonstrating how English contract law works but also giving a glimpse of different ways of thinking about some of the fundamental rules of contract law from a civil law perspective.

After a general introduction to the common law system – how a common lawyer reasons and finds the law – the book explains the principles of the law of contract in English law covering all the aspects of a contract from its formation to the remedies available for breach, whilst directing attention in particular to those areas where the approach of English law is in marked contrast to that taken in many civil law systems.

The fact that there is a whole section dedicated on explaining Common Law and the Sources of the Law is a great addition for first year students who come from different jurisdictions as well as more mature students who have already obtained a law degree in another jurisdiction and are getting acquainted with English Contract law. -- Maria Tatsiou * UCLan Cyprus *
Prof. Cartwright's is a truly excellent book, particularly helpful to students and lawyers from non-Common Law jurisdictions wishing to understand English contract law -- Jean-Sebastien Borghetti * Université Panthéon-Assas (Paris II) *
I am particularly impressed by this book. What I like about it is that it does not just 'drop' students into contract with the usual first chapter being on 'offer and acceptance.' No, this book explains how contract fits into the English legal system. It does so by having two excellent introductory chapters on 'The Common Law' and 'Finding the Law.' These are really helpful and very well written. -- Owain Blackwell * Cardiff University *

John Cartwright is Emeritus Professor of the Law of Contract at the University of Oxford, UK.