Significant areas of constitutional law are of general application throughout the UK. Nevertheless, factors such as the existence of a distinct Scottish legal system, some measure of separate recognition within law-making and parliamentary procedure and, particularly, the establishment of a devolved Parliament for Scotland means that there are materials, questions and concerns which are exclusively Scottish in nature. This new text concentrates on the Scottish dimension of constitutional law while setting the subject in its UK and European context.

The text of this new study of local govenment law in Scotland takes account of the structual changes which were implemented in the period up to reorganisation in April 1996. The book has chapters on local authority powers and the organisation of local authority business; local government finance; audit; the local ombudsman; and local authorities and the courts. There is also discussion of the constitutional role of local authorities; the different forms of involvement by the public (whether as electors, citizens or consumers) in local government; and Scottish Office controls over authorities and their work. The emphasis of the book is not a detailed analysis of the law relating to local authority functions but upon the legal framework within which they are exercised. The book is primarily aimed at students (of law or of related disciplines) but will also be of value to all who have an involvement in or contact with Scottish local government.

A comprehensive guide to housing law in Scotland, this text takes account of the changing nature of housing law and includes material on private sector tenancies. It covers new case law, and recent legislation, and discusses the proposed local government reforms.

Essays analysing the impact of the Human Rights Act 1998 in Scots law, with comparative reference to other systems. Includes essays on the Human Rights Act and Scotland Act, human rights and the law of crime, property, employment, family and private life.

The reception into Scotland of human rights protection under the ECHR and the Human Rights Act 1998 has turned out to be both problematic and controversial as a result of the combination of the devolution settlement under the Scotland Act 1998 and the separate legal system of Scotland since the Union of 1707. The paper explores the ways in which, in particular, the conflicts which have arisen as to which court should make final decisions on human rights issues have achieved an iconic status in the relationship between the Scottish and UK Governments.

The paper takes a critical look at the application of the European Charter of Local Self-Government 1985 and considers the question whether its terms and mode of implementation have the potential for application beyond (the countries of the Council of) Europe.

The paper explores the institutions and procedures by which the devolution settlement under the Scotland Act 1998 has delivered to Scotland the degree of autonomy it currently enjoys, including consideration of legislative and executive competences, funding arrangements and relationships between tiers of government.