
The Principles of Equity & Trusts
Graham Virgo(Author)
Oxford University Press
6th Edition
Will be published approx. on 20. August 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
808 pages
978-0-19-894963-3 (ISBN)
Description
The sixth edition of The Principles of Equity & Trusts offers a distinctive, contextual, and critically engaged treatment of Equity and trusts, combining clear statements of doctrine with insightful commentary that places leading decisions within their broader legal and practical settings, across coverage that ranges from Equity's history and contemporary commercial relevance through express, purpose, resulting, and constructive trusts, informal property arrangements, beneficiaries' rights, trustees' powers and duties, trust variation, and remedies for breach of trust and fiduciary duty. In light of significant recent appellate developments, the new edition is substantially rewritten: the analysis of Equity's core attributes now explores more fully how Equity modifies the Common Law, how discretion operates, and how unconscionability functions; the trust discussion adds a new section on Abuse of the Trust; key chapters update formality requirements for trusts of land and the disposition of equitable interests; fiduciary duties and liability are extensively reworked; and the treatment of personal remedies and third-party liability is rewritten, including renewed attention to knowing receipt, alongside the integration of new authorities such as Byers v Saudi National Bank, D'Aloia v Persons Unknown, and the Property (Digital Assets etc.) Act 2025.
Reviews / Votes
An invaluable resource for students seeking to develop a comprehensive understanding of the law and principles underpinning it; Virgo makes difficult material accessible without sacrificing nuance. * Luke Williams, Lecturer, BPP Law School * In my view the most useful textbook available in this subject in the UK; a great mix of clear explanation of basic concepts with really first-rate analysis of more complex questions. * Professor Hilary Biehler, Professor of Public Law, Trinity College Dublin *More details
Edition
6th Revised edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Edition type
Revised edition
Illustrations
24
Dimensions
Height: 246 mm
Width: 171 mm
ISBN-13
978-0-19-894963-3 (9780198949633)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Graham Virgo (KC (Hon)) is Professor of English Private Law at the University of Cambridge; Master-elect of Downing College, Cambridge; a Bencher of Lincoln's Inn; and an Academic member, XXIV Old Buildings, of Lincoln's Inn. He is the author of several books on private law, as well as criminal law, including 'The Principles of the Law of Restitution' (Oxford University Press) and, with Paul Davies, 'Equity & Trusts: Text, Cases, and Materials' (Oxford University Press).
Content
- 1
- EQUITY
- 1: An Introduction to Equity
- 2: The Characteristics of Equity
- 3: An Introduction to the Trust
- 2
- EXPRESS TRUSTS
- 4: The Requirements of an Express Trust
- 5: Formalities
- 3
- TRUSTS FOR PURPOSES
- 6: Charitable Trusts
- 7: Non-charitable Purpose Trusts
- 4
- IMPOSED TRUSTS
- 8: Resulting Trusts
- 9: Constructive Trusts
- 10: Informal Arrangements Relating to Property
- 5
- BENEFICIARIES
- 11: Beneficiaries
- 6
- TRUSTEES AND THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES
- 12: Trustees
- 13: The Administration of Trusts
- 14: Dispositive Powers and Duties
- 15: Fiduciary Liability
- 7
- VARIATION OF TRUSTS
- 16: The Variation of Trusts
- 8
- BREACH OF TRUST AND FIDUCIARY DUTY
- 17: Liability for Breach of Trust and Fiduciary Duty
- 18: Personal Claims and Remedies
- 19: Proprietary Claims and Remedies
- 20: Personal Liability of Third Parties