Poole's Textbook on Contract Law

The sixteenth edition of this established and popular text provides clear and commercially-focused coverage of contract law. Case-driven content and succinct explanations are combined with summaries, questions, and examples to allow students to gain a sound understanding of the theory and application of contract law principles.

• Provides a clear introduction to contract law mapped to undergraduate courses.
• Presents the information in a straightforward style, allowing students to gain a sound understanding of the main issues, whilst also addressing some of the complexities of contract law, to encourage a fuller appreciation of the subject.
• Each chapter includes summaries, questions, examples, and a guide to further reading, allowing students to check their understanding and to conduct efficient and well-directed further study.
• Suitable for use as a stand-alone textbook, or in conjunction with Poole's Casebook on Contract Law, making it an essential resource for students.
• Also available as an e-book enhanced with self-assessment activities and multi-media content to offer a fully immersive experience and extra learning support.

New to this edition

• The introductory chapter has been substantively updated to reflect the continuing influence of contract law in the world through its adaptation to technological innovations.
• Key new cases include: Longley v PPB Entertainment Ltd [2022] on elements of unilateral mistake; Leeds City Council v Barclays Bank plc on inducement; and Pakistan International Airline Corporation v Times Travel (UK) Ltd [2021] on lawful acts of duress.

About the Authors

Robert Merkin KC, Professor of Law, University of Reading and Professor of Law Emeritus, University of Exeter, and Séverine Saintier, Professor of Commercial Law, University of Cardiff.

Robert Merkin KC is Professor of Law, University of Reading; Professor of Law Emeritus, University of Exeter; and Special Counsel to Duncan Cotterill. Robert has written a number of texts and articles on contract, insurance and arbitration. He is co-editor of the Lloyd's Law Reports. He was appointed Queen's Counsel (honoris causa) in 2015 and was awarded a higher doctorate by Cardiff University in the same year. In 2018 Rob became Honorary Life President of the International Association of Insurance Law (AIDA). He has co-edited the book Essays in Memory of Professor Jill Poole: Coherence, Modernisation and Integration in Contract, Commercial and Corporate Laws (Routledge, 2018).

Séverine Saintier is Professor of Commercial Law at the University of Cardiff. She is currently co-I with Exeter law colleague Dr Vessio in the externally funded and multidisciplinary project on circularity and the blockchain (https://circularrevolution.wales/about/) with Exeter Business School, Swansea University and Riversimple. She has co-edited Vulnerable Consumers and the Law, Consumer Protection and Access to Justice (Routledge, 2020) and written a number of articles for leading journals including the Journal of Business Law and the European Review of Private Law. Séverine is co-author with Robert of the privity chapter in Essays in Memory of Professor Jill Poole: Coherence, Modernisation and Integration in Contract, Commercial and Corporate Laws (Routledge, 2018).