Based on papers given at a conference at King's College,London, in 1998, Foundations of Charity brings together established scholarsin the fields of charity law, public law, and trusts law, and internationally recognized writers on social policy and legal philosophy, from England and Wales, Scotland, Australia, Canada and the United States. The contributors take an iconoclastic approach to the legal definition of charitable status, and provide an in-depth analysis of key concepts in charity law and administration, such as 'public benefit'and 'political activity'. The combination of their different perspectives on 'charity' produces a varied, stimulating, and challenging collection. It will be essential reading for academics, practising lawyers and voluntary sector managers who are looking for a sustained critique of 'charity'.

Foundations of Charity is to be welcomed as an initiative to broaden the debate regarding the place of charity in the society of the third millennium. Mitchell and Moody are to be congratulated for their initiative in disseminating to a wider audience this selection of interesting contributions made to a colloquium from leading British academics. Kerry O'Halloran, University of Ulster Dublin University Law Journal January 2001 They serve their intended audience, lawmakers and practitioners in the not-for-profit sector, well. Kenneth M. Holland The Law and Politics Book Review January 2001

Alison Dunn is a Lecturer in Law at the University of Newcastle. Sue Moody is a Lecturer in Law at the University of Dundee.