This edition provides a completely up-to-date and enhanced coverage of the law of contract with a continued emphasis on explaining how the courts apply the law in practice in the cases before them.

It remains an easy to read, easy to understand text and reference book – especially for students encountering the law of contract for the first time and incorporates all the major changes since 2017 – including the High Court’s decisions in:

• Pipikos v Trayans – part performance;
• Ecosse Property Holdings Pty Ltd v Gee Dee Nominees Pty Ltd and Rinehart v Hancock Prospecting Pty Ltd – construction of contracts;
• Victoria v Tatts Group Ltd – ambiguity;
• Thorne v Kennedy – undue influence and unconscionability;
• ASIC v Kobelt – statutory unconscionability;
• Moore v Scenic Tours Pty Ltd – damages for disappointment and distress;
• Mann v Paterson Constructions Pty Ltd – quantum meruit; and
• Berry v CCL Secure Pty Ltd – causation and calculation of damages.
• Other Federal, state and territory courts decisions are also included in areas as diverse as:
• privity of contract – Clarence City Council v Commonwealth of Australia;
• using post-contractual conduct to identify the parties – BH Australia Constructions Pty Ltd v Kapeller;
• government ‘promises’ – Roo Roofing Pty Ltd v Commonwealth;
• enforceability of voluntary association rules – Hogan v Fraser and Setka v Carroll;
• consideration and the ‘existing duty’ rule – Searle v Commonwealth of Australia;
• the ‘practical benefit’ test – Hill v Forteng Pty Ltd;
• promissory estoppel – FJ & PN Curran Pty Ltd v Almond Investors Land Pty Ltd;
• undue influence and ‘independent advice’ – Rahme v Benjamin & Khoury Pty Ltd;
• unfair contracts – ASIC v Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd;
• penalties – Kay v Playup Australia Pty Ltd;
• and many others.

Legislative changes to the Australian Consumer Law and the ASIC Act to enhance consumer protection have also been included.