The Law of Motor Insurance 3rd ed

Robert Merkin, Maggie Hemsworth

ISBN: 9780414133204

Published: June 2026

Format: Hardcover

Language: English

Publisher: Sweet & Maxwell Ltd

Description

Now in its Third Edition, this is the leading authoritative treatment of the legal framework governing motor insurance in the UK. The new edition reflects the profound changes brought about by Brexit, subsequent legislative reform and the evolving relationship between UK and EU law, tracing the development of compulsory motor cover from its 1930 origins through consolidation under the EU Motor Insurance Directives and successive amendments to the Road Traffic Act 1988. Where the Second Edition concentrated on the implications of EU membership, this edition works through the practical questions raised by the UK's withdrawal — how Parliament has approached repealing retained EU measures, and the operational difficulties of disentangling UK and EU motor insurance law.

Key Features

Traces compulsory motor insurance from its 1930 UK origins through the EU Motor Insurance Directives to the current post-Brexit Road Traffic Act 1988 regime.

Analyses Brexit's effect on UK motor insurance law, including the Government's approach to repealing retained EU measures.

Covers the abolition of deposits and security as alternatives to insurance, and the removal of an insurer's post-loss right to avoid a policy for breach of the duty of fair presentation.

Rewritten guidance on compulsory insurance for visitors to, and travellers from, the UK — one of the areas most affected by Brexit.

Commentary on recent post-Brexit EU developments, including the reversal of Vnuk, and their relevance to UK law.

Coverage

Origins and development of compulsory motor insurance; the Road Traffic Act 1988 and its amendments; Brexit and the UK/EU legal relationship; deposits and security as alternatives to insurance; duty of fair presentation and insurers' avoidance rights; compulsory cover for visitors and travellers; the Vnuk line of case law and its post-Brexit reversal.

About the Author(s)

Robert Merkin is Professor of Commercial Law at the University of Reading, Honorary Professor of Law at the University of Auckland, and a consultant to Norton Rose Fulbright. He has written extensively on insurance, reinsurance and arbitration law, edits the Lloyd's Law Reports and the Journal of Business Law, and is a past president of the British Insurance Law Association. Maggie Hemsworth co-authors this edition, building on the Second Edition the pair produced together in 2015.

Table of Contents

Full chapter-by-chapter table of contents to be confirmed with the physical release; CLNZ Books will update this listing once published. Contact us for the current chapter outline.

Why buy this book?

For insurance law practitioners, in-house counsel at motor insurers, and academics, this is the standard reference for compulsory motor insurance in the UK — now fully updated for a post-Brexit legal landscape that the Second Edition could not address.

Keywords

Motor Insurance, Compulsory Insurance, Road Traffic Act 1988, Brexit, Insurance Law, Duty of Fair Presentation

Target Audience

Insurance law practitioners, motor insurers and claims professionals, insurance brokers, academics and law libraries

Genre

Insurance Law, Commercial Law, Motor Insurance

Q&A

What does the Third Edition add to the previous edition? A full treatment of Brexit's impact on UK motor insurance law, including the repeal of retained EU measures and the post-Brexit reversal of Vnuk.

Does the book cover the duty of fair presentation? Yes — including the removal of an insurer's right to avoid a policy for breach of that duty after a loss has occurred.

Is compulsory insurance for visitors to the UK covered? Yes, with a rewritten section reflecting one of the areas most affected by Brexit.

Who are the authors? Robert Merkin, Professor of Commercial Law at the University of Reading and Honorary Professor of Law at the University of Auckland, with Maggie Hemsworth.

Is this suitable for both practitioners and academics? Yes — it combines rigorous legal analysis with practical guidance for the motor insurance industry.

Where can I buy The Law of Motor Insurance 3rd ed?

You can order this title directly from CLNZ Books, with secure worldwide shipping and payment by credit card or PayPal.

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