The 10th edition of Contract Law in Ireland provides comprehensive coverage of post-2022 developments in Irish and UK case law and legislation, charting the incremental but significant evolution of this core area of civil law and the new precedents governing how contractual and commercial disputes are resolved across both Irish jurisdictions.
Formation of contract remains a dynamic area, with emerging case law on “contracting by increments” reshaping the traditional certainties of offer, acceptance, and essential terms. Other notable developments include the Irish Supreme Court's 2026 ruling on contracts for the sale of land — including a significant restatement of the law on part performance and unconscionability — new insights into legal intent, and the growing judicial recognition of emoji as valid non-verbal forms of contractual expression. The courts' increasing willingness to fill contractual gaps through expansive interpretation techniques is also critically examined.
Statutory developments feature prominently, with full treatment of the Consumer Rights Act 2022, the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, and the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Acts 2015–2026. The emerging EU reform agenda on sustainability, digital consumer rights, and dispute resolution is also examined, alongside significant High Court developments in mediation and unconscionable bargain and improvident transaction jurisprudence.
Later chapters address privity of contract, the frustration of both residential and commercial leases, and damages, including contributory negligence under the Civil Liability Act 1961. Competition law developments — including new protections for agricultural producers and imminent reforms to CCPC powers — are also covered. The Irish courts' continued departure from the UK Supreme Court's approach to penalty clauses is critically assessed throughout.
The 10th edition of Contract Law in Ireland solidifies the book’s standing as an indispensable resource for students and practitioners seeking an authoritative and up-to-date guide to Irish contract law.
