Principles of the Law of Restitution

The third edition of The Principles of the Law of Restitution brings this widely cited and influential volume fully up to date. It has been substantially rewritten to reflect the significant changes in the law of restitution and the expansion in the theoretical and critical commentary on the subject.

Following important decisions of the Supreme Court and other courts, large-scale changes have been made to the chapters on enrichment, at the expense of the claimant, mistake, claims against public authorities, and change of position. Additionally, this edition contains a new chapter on the operation of juridical bars on restitutionary claims. References to developments in other jurisdictions have been expanded for this edition, reflecting the significance of these changes and how they assist in the interpretation of English law and provide a basis for criticizing that law. Further, in the light of leading cases and the contributions of restitutionary scholars around the world, the author's views on specific controversial debates about the ambit, function, and interpretation of the subject have changed, sometimes radically.

One significant aspect of the book remains unchanged: the book continues to focus on the identification and analysis of the principles which underpin the law of restitution as a whole, but with reference to its three distinct parts: unjust enrichment, restitution for wrongs, and the vindication of property rights. This approach provides the reader with a peerless guide to the law of restitution.

Graham Virgo, Reader in English Law and Fellow and Senior Tutor, Faculty of Law, University of Cambridge, and Downing College, Cambridge

Graham Virgo is Professor in English Private Law at the University of Cambridge, and Fellow of Downing College, Cambridge. He is also a Bencher of Lincoln's Inn. After graduating from Downing College in 1987, and studying for the BCL at Oxford, he lectured in criminal law, taxation, Equity and restitution. His main research interests are the law of restitution, criminal law, and Equity. He is a recipient of The Pilkington Teaching Prize of Cambridge University in Law (2002), recognized for Outstanding Teaching in Law and was nominated in 2013 for the OUP Law Teacher of the Year award. He is author of The Principles of Equity and Trusts (2012) and co-author of Equity & Trusts: Text, Cases, and Materials (with Paul S Davies, 2013).