"The Law of Liability Insurance" by Desmond Keith Derrington and Ronald Shaw Ashton is a comprehensive legal text focused on liability insurance, particularly in the context of Australian law. Here is a detailed overview of the book:

Key Themes

1. Liability Insurance: The book extensively covers various aspects of liability insurance, including the legal principles, types of liability cover, and common actions between parties.
2. Practical Experience: The authors, both experienced practitioners in insurance law, have compiled the text based on their practical experience, providing a practical discussion of matters where controversy arises.
3. Jurisdictional Coverage: The book includes extensive citations of authorities from the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand, making it a valuable resource for practitioners across different jurisdictions.
4. Comprehensive Coverage: The text is designed to be an indispensable source of authoritative guidance in the area of liability insurance law and practice. It includes detailed discussions of general insurance law principles necessary to understand liability policies.

Plot Summary

The book is structured into two volumes, totaling over 3,300 pages. It has evolved from a single volume in earlier editions to a two-volume comprehensive text. The third edition, published in 2013 by LexisNexis Butterworths, Australia, is particularly notable for its extensive coverage and detailed exposition of liability insurance law.

Each chapter has been substantially expanded from previous editions, focusing on the various classes of common types of liability cover and the different types of actions between parties most commonly encountered. The book's utility is enhanced by a comprehensive table of contents and index, which includes a useful listing of words and phrases.

Critical Reception

The book has received positive reviews for its comprehensive and practical approach to liability insurance law. Here are some key points from the critical reception:

• Authoritative Guidance: Practitioners find the book an indispensable source of authoritative guidance in this area of law and practice.
• Practical Experience: The authors' practical experience in insurance law is highlighted as a significant strength, making the text highly useful for practitioners.
• Comprehensive Coverage: The detailed discussion of every aspect of liability policies, including extensive citations from various jurisdictions, is praised for its utility.

Overall, "The Law of Liability Insurance" by Desmond Keith Derrington and Ronald Shaw Ashton is a monumental text in the field of insurance law, particularly in the area of liability insurance. Its comprehensive coverage, practical approach, and authoritative guidance make it a valuable resource for practitioners and insurers alike.