The book "MacGillivray & Parkington on Insurance Law" is a comprehensive treatise on insurance law, written by Evan James MacGillivray, Michael Parkington, Anthony P. O'Dowd, Nicholas Legh-Jones, and Andrew Longmore. Here is a detailed overview of the book:

Key Themes

1. General Principles of Insurance Law:

   • The book covers the fundamental principles of UK insurance law, including misrepresentation, good faith, and the concept of insurable interest.

2. Contractual and Statutory Aspects:

   • It divides insurance law into contractual and statutory parts, although some reviewers have criticized this division as outdated.

3. Insurable Interest in Property:

   • The book provides a comprehensive historical analysis of insurable interest in property, highlighting the irrational rules governing who has an insurable interest. For example, it notes that an unsecured creditor and a bona fide purchaser of stolen goods do not have an insurable interest in the property.

4. Case Law and Legal Precedents:

   • The book includes summaries of significant English cases, such as Chadwick v. Gibraltar Insurance (1981), which are used to illustrate the application of insurance law principles.

5. Practical Guidance and Drafting Insurance Contracts:

   • It offers practical guidance on drafting and interpreting insurance contracts, making it an invaluable resource for legal practitioners.

Critical Reception

1. Positive Reception:

   • The book is widely regarded as one of the best English practitioner's books on insurance law, surpassing other notable texts like Ivamy and Colinvaux.

2. Criticisms:

   • Some reviewers have criticized the book for not adequately addressing the definition of an insurance company. The eighth edition, for instance, devotes only four pages to this topic, which is deemed insufficient by some.

3. Historical Context:

   • The book's historical learning is praised, particularly in its comprehensive chapter on insurable interest in property. However, the rules governing insurable interest are criticized for being irrational.

Editions and Availability

• The book has been published in multiple editions, with the 15th edition being the latest. The eighth edition is noted to be out of print, with a new edition available as "MacGillivray on Insurance Law" in the ninth edition.

Practical Use

• The book is designed to be a practical guide for legal practitioners, providing clear and concise explanations along with useful examples and practical guidance on drafting insurance contracts.

In summary, "MacGillivray & Parkington on Insurance Law" is a seminal work in the field of insurance law, offering comprehensive coverage of key themes and practical guidance. While it has received praise for its historical learning and practical utility, it has also faced criticisms regarding its treatment of certain topics.