Law in Scotland has a long history, uninterrupted either by revolution or by codification. This work is the first detailed and systematic study in the field of Scottish private law. It takes key topics from the law of obligations and the law of property and traces their development from earliest times to the present day.

This volume examines the nineteenth century. The modern form of many institutions, doctrines, principles and practices was shaped during the nineteenth century, and here Professor Walker traces and analyses the emergence and development of what is in many respects the modern law.The nineteenth century is a period of great interest and steadily accelerating development in every field of Scots law: public, private and criminal. The volume of legislation being produced greatly increased thought the century and areas such as the railways and public health and welfare were the subject of real regulation for the first time. The century also saw closer harmonisation of Scots and English law in the fields of partnership and sale of goods among others. The narrative is illustrated by many fascinating cases; the bankruptcy of Sir Walter Scott, the Burke and Hare murders, the trail of Madeleine Smith and the cases arising out of the fall of the City of Glasgow Bank. These link the development of the law to notorious happenings in Scotland.

Vols. 29-47, 1913-1931 and v. 72-79, 1956-1963 include Scottish Land Court reports, v. 1-19 and v. 44-51.