Edinburgh Centre for Private Law (ECPL)

Description

Private law has been taught and researched at the University of Edinburgh since 1722. Among the many distinguished scholars who have worked at Edinburgh are John Erskine of Carnock (1737-65), David Hume (1786-1822), George Joseph Bell (1822-43), Sir John Rankine (1888-1922), Sir Thomas B Smith (1958-72), and WA Wilson (1960-94).

The Edinburgh Centre for Private Law (ECPL), founded in 2009, exists to foster and develop this long tradition of private law scholarship. Building on Edinburgh’s position as a major university within Europe’s main mixed jurisdiction, much of the research carried out by its members examines Scots law in a European context or fosters a dialogue between the civilian tradition and the common law.

The research interests of Edinburgh Centre for Private Law members cover all the main areas of private law including contract, delict, unjustified enrichment, agency, property, succession, trusts, insolvency, labour law and family law. A number of different approaches are employed, so that the work of the Centre may emphasise, for example, comparative law or doctrinal history or legal theory or wider issues of policy.

Law reform is also strongly represented, with seven members of the Centre being current or former Law Commissioners.

The ECPL has close links with the legal profession, and publications by its members are widely used by practitioners and frequently cited in the courts at all levels up to and including the Supreme Court. Members of the Centre also play a key role in editing and contributing to the 25-volume "The Laws of Scotland: Stair Memorial Encyclopaedia" plus "Reissue" and "Gloag and Henderson: The Law of Scotland".

Offers funding

No, this infrastructure does not provide funding.

Founding year

2009

Contact details

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University affiliation(s)

University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh