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This thesis considers the law of the landlord's hypothec in Scots law. It is divided into three parts. Part A examines the history of the hypothec from its introduction into Scotland in the sixteenth century to the passing of the Bankruptcy and Diligence etc (Scotland) Act in 2007 ("the 2007 Act"). Part B addressesthe creation, variation and extinction of the hypothec ("the life-cycle of the hypothec"). Part C focuses on the enforcement of the hypothec, both before the tenant is insolvent and whilst the tenant is in insolvency proceedings. Throughout the thesis there is a focus on two key aspects: (1) the hypothec as a real right in security, and (2) the effects of the 2007 Act. The fact that the hypothec is a real right in the individual goods brought into the premises is often forgotten. Instead, the hypothec is sometimes seen as a form of floating charge or a preference in the tenant's insolvency. The floating charge prior to attachment (or an insolvency preference), however, does not grant the chargee (or preferred creditor) a real right in the property of the charger (or debtor). Due to a failure to make a clear distinction between the hypothec and the floating charge, the effects of the hypothec have often been forgotten. Therefore, throughout this thesis, the hypothec is analysed as a real right in specific goods that are brought into the premises, and the effects of such an analysis are discussed. Existing uncertainties in the law were exacerbated by the 2007 Act. By abolishing sequestration for rent, and restricting the rent secured by the hypothec, the 2007 Act has disrupted areas that were previously settled. This becomes most apparent when the tenant becomes insolvent, and this thesis contains an in-depth analysis of the landlord's rights in such cases. This thesis does not take a view on whether the landlord's right of hypothec should be retained.

This thesis examines the supposed subsidiarity of unjust enrichment in English, French (ie, of the action de in rem verso, in the category of quasi-contracts), and Scots law. Its central argument is that the relations (i) of unjust enrichment with other areas of law, namely, special statutory regimes, property, contract, and tort/delict, and (ii) in French law, of the action de in rem verso with different quasi-contractual claims, cannot be explained on the basis that unjust enrichment, or elements thereof, are subsidiary to anything else. Various scholarly accounts are considered, along with primary materials. Chapter one summarises basic relevant features of unjust enrichment in each jurisdiction under consideration. Chapter two examines linguistic and contextual perspectives on subsidiarity (respectively, from Latin, English, and French, then from the Roman Catholic Church, European Union law, and European human rights law). From these perspectives are distilled six conceptual essentials of subsidiarity, which any use of subsidiarity must respect. Chapter three of the thesis explores the current position of subsidiarity in each jurisdiction under consideration, and why so many have that unjust enrichment is somehow subsidiary (the main reason being its extreme generality and consequent potential to upset the solutions provided, or refused, by other legal institutions). Subsequent chapters then apply the essentials distilled in chapter two to arguments that unjust enrichment is subsidiary, to statute, or property, for example. This analysis shows, not that unjust enrichment should not be subsidiary to the other institutions examined, but that it cannot be subsidiary to them. Alternative explanations of unjust enrichment's external and internal relations are put forward to replace subsidiarity. It is hoped that this will contribute to the disappearance of subsidiarity from unjust enrichment discourse, and foster a better understanding, both of unjust enrichment in general, and how its power can be controlled.

The doctrine of privity of contract broadly provides that a contract should neither benefit nor burden parties external to the contract. This thesis can be divided into two parts: the first on privity itself, and the second on its exceptions. The first part contains a historical analysis of the development of privity, leading to the provision of a definition of privity in modern Scots law. It also examines whether privity is compatible with the leading theories of Scots contract law (will theory, promissory theory, and assumption theory) and considers the relationship between privity and third party rights. The interaction between privity and delict has proved controversial in various situations involving third-party loss. Accordingly, this part analyses the intersection between privity and delictual liability. The first part also identifies and assesses the policy considerations that have justified statutory exceptions to privity. It concludes with discussion on whether privity does and should continue to exist in Scots law. The second part provides a taxonomy of concepts which operate where: 1. There is an extra-contractual party 2. Which has suffered loss caused by non-performance or defective performance of a contract 3. And it lacks a contractual right to recover its losses 4. And the concept provides a means of recovery for the extra-contractual party, and/ or a means by which the contracting party which did not cause the loss can recover on behalf of the extra-contractual party. The four relevant concepts are: contracts for the benefit of another; transferred loss; ad hoc agency; and undisclosed agency. The thesis analyses each concept in turn, examining its relationship with privity, contract theory, and delictual liability. Policy considerations supporting each exception are identified and assessed. The conclusions of the thesis address whether these concepts can be recognised as justifiable exceptions to privity. The question of whether external network liability should be recognised as a new exception to privity is also considered. Whilst the thesis focuses on Scots law, comparative reference is made throughout to English law. This is because the development of contracts for the benefit of another, transferred loss, and undisclosed agency is closely intertwined in the two jurisdictions.

This thesis examines the attachment of the floating charge to property in Scots law. The work is divided into two main parts. The first part focuses on how the charge interacts with property in a general sense. The second part considers attachment and its consequences in relation to the regimes for particular types of property. It is contended that the floating charge does not directly affect property prior to attachment. And even upon attachment its status as a “real right” is questionable. This is primarily because the charge is patrimonially limited by its enforcement mechanisms. It can only be enforced through a liquidator, receiver or administrator, and the powers of these parties are seemingly confined to property in the chargor’s estate. The thesis also demonstrates that ownership is a useful tool for examining what is required for a charge to attach to property. The most suitable approach is for ownership by the chargor to be both necessary and sufficient for attachment, but this is not the case under the present law, at least for certain property and transactions. Other currently prevailing views regarding the charge’s attachment are also challenged. This includes the belief that the charge attaches as if it is the relevant form of security for the property in question. Instead, it is suggested that the charge should be considered to attach as a “sui generis” fixed security. In addition, there are a range of difficulties that arise when the charge’s attachment and ranking are considered alongside the rules of transfer and security for specific property types. Uncertainty in the background law, and failure to take account of this when the charge was introduced, and subsequently, has meant that the charge may not operate effectively when, for example, property has been transferred for security purposes. All of this is explored in detail in the second part of the thesis.

The purpose of this thesis is to identify the influence of the doctrines of the Medieval European Ius Commune on the Scots law of moveable succession in the crucial period of its development: from the Reformation to approximately 1700. To this purpose, this research is dealing with the Scottish writings, case law and archival materials, comparing them with the relevant Civilian and Canonistic texts and treatises of Medieval and Early Modern Continental authors. This research specially concentrates on particular fields within the Scots law of succession. In some fields, such as the constitution and form of testamentary deeds and the destinations (tailzies), the Ius Commune influence was quite weak, but even there it is discernible in specific issues. The same can be said of the Scottish attitude to the agreements on future succession (pacta successoria); in this respect, as my thesis shows, Scots law used to have more in common with the Civil law than it has now. On the other hand, the influence of the Continental doctrines was much more noticeable in the fields of the evidential force of last wills and the donations mortis causa. However, beginning from the 1660s, Scottish practice in these fields diverged from the Continental models. This was due to various practical reasons. The regulation of the office of executor in Scotland in the 1500-1700, in many respects, seems to be heavily inspired by the Ius Commune regulation and by English practice of that time. In some respects, Scots practice on the office of executor followed the Ius Commune rules more closely than English practice. In summary, the influence of the Ius Commune on the Scots law of succession in this period was real, due both to the retaining of tradition of ecclesiastical jurisdiction and to the knowledge of doctrine by the judges and litigants. However, this influence was often fragmentary and not properly expressed in the litigation and writings.

This thesis critically analyses the law of promise. It does so for the purposes of identifying potential solutions to practical and doctrinal problems in the Thai law of promise. Scots law is chosen as the main point of comparison because, inter alia, both jurisdictions are mixed jurisdictions. Scots promissory law was influenced by the Canon Law and was part of the ius commune tradition. Scots law was not influenced by English law in this area. Scots law has developed its own promissory obligation as a free standing legal entity outwith contract. Thai promissory legal principles were derived from both Civilian and English sources. Consequently, promissory language is used both in the sense of a unilateral obligation and a contractual promise. Moreover, the Thai drafters did not acknowledge the different attitude towards a unilateral promise of French law (where a promise must be accepted in order to be binding) and German law (where particular types of unilateral obligations are recognised). This thesis argues that the flaws in promissory provisions under the Thai Code stem from the fact that, inter alia, the drafters did not understand the difference between unilateral and bilateral obligations. This thesis argues that the Scots promissory approach presents a more efficient structure of the law of obligations than the Thai approach. It encounters fewer problems than Thai law because a promise is deemed to be a standalone obligation. This thesis further analyses the practical applications of promise, arguing that a promissory analysis is useful in conceptualising practical circumstances. Adopting a promissory approach is beneficial, making doctrinal analysis clearer in comparison with the offer and acceptance approach. This thesis takes into account the role given to promise in the DCFR. The notion of a unilateral undertaking in the DCFR illustrates that the most recent model rule of European private law recognises the importance of a unilateral obligation. This reflects the fact that the notion of a contract cannot appropriately deal with certain situations in which a person unilaterally intends his/her undertaking to be bound without acceptance. It is concluded that the Scots approach of regarding a promise as an independent obligation separate from contract could be adapted to Thai law. There are certain resemblances between Scots and Thai law in promissory theories and the obligational nature of a promise. Therefore, Thai law is not unfamiliar with the notion that a declaration of wills can unilaterally create an obligation. The proposed approach provides a number of advantages e.g. eradicating an overlap between a promise and an offer; clarifying the legal status of promise; and making the legal status of a promise to make a contract compatible with a promise of reward. In particular, this thesis postulates that promise has a substantive role to play in governing an offer specifying a period of acceptance. This particular observation has, to date, not been made in relation to Thai law.

This thesis examines the doctrine of positive prescription of landownership in Scots law, with particular reference to the written deed that is required in order to commence the prescriptive period. The first part of the thesis sets out the historical context in which this doctrine has developed. Due to the civilian foundations of Scots law, the thesis begins with a brief examination of the Roman law of acquisitive prescription. This examination is both historical and comparative as it emphasises the unusual nature of the Scots law doctrine of positive prescription in comparison to Roman and later civilian formulations of acquisitive prescription. The fact that the Scots law of positive prescription has an apparent antipathy to good faith is also analysed in this context. The Roman law examination is then followed by a description of the development of the Early Scots law of acquisitive prescription. This again demonstrates the difference of Scots law from both civilian acquisitive prescription and common law adverse possession. The Early Scots law material is also significant in illuminating the context in which the Scots law doctrine of positive prescription emerged. The existence of limitation based on possession alone is a feature of Early Scots law which is highlighted in this section. The second, and more extensive, part of the thesis focuses on doctrinal analysis of the written deed that is required in order to commence positive prescription in Scots law. This is in turn divided between an examination of the requirement of ex facie validity of the foundation writ and an examination of the requirement that the foundation writ must be habile to include the area in respect of which positive prescription is sought. The thesis demonstrates that the development of the doctrinal formulations of these concepts has not been free from some degree of confusion. However, it is shown that, in the case of ex facie validity, there is a solid principle of interpretation, grounded in consistent authority, which has only fallen from view in recent times. In the case of hability, the underlying principles are not so easily discerned. Nevertheless, it appears that particular principles may be present in respect of the interpretation of hability. The thesis concludes with a discussion of the current and future state of the law of positive prescription of landownership, with particular reference to the impact of land registration.

Possession is a legal concept applying in a variety of legal contexts. In Scottish legal literature, however, there is little in-depth writing on the law of possession, and much of the law is uncertain. This thesis is intended to be a contribution to remedying this deficiency as far as one aspect of the law of possession is concerned, the physical element of possession of corporeal moveable property. As part of this, in the hope that this comparative and historical consideration would shed some light on the issues raised, the law of Rome is considered, along with the law of France, Germany and South Africa, as examples of the Civil Law tradition of legal systems drawing on Roman law. English law is also considered. The thesis is thus able to draw on both of the major traditions influencing the development of Scots law, namely the Civil Law and the Common Law. In this way, the thesis is able to consider the extent to which the Scots law on possession has been influenced by these two traditions. The thesis begins giving an outline of the law of possession and the place of the physical element within it. The remainder of the thesis considers in detail the physical element and its role in both the acquisition and the loss of possession of corporeal moveable property. One of the difficulties with this is that many different areas of law use a concept called 'possession', and views differ as to the extent to which it is appropriate to talk of a general concept of possession. It is argued in the thesis that a general test can be developed for the physical element of possession, based on control of the property in a manner consistent with the assertion of a right to the property. This test is then developed through consideration of how it applies in a number of specific factual contexts.

This thesis examines publicity exploitation in practice and the possible legal response of Scots law to that exploitation. It argues that the common law in Scotland is not capable of providing a coherent and principled right of publicity for individuals, and that a statutory right is instead required. By examining the nature of publicity exploitation and the activities that constitute publicity, it becomes clear that there are a number of different methods by which an individual’s “persona” – name, image, identity and reputation – can be used to enhance the goods and services of others, and that this enhancement is something for which other parties are willing to pay. The first part of this thesis explores publicity in practice, in order to derive a framework and vocabulary on which to build the subsequent legal analysis. One conclusion reached here is that, whereas much case law and academic commentary focuses on the unauthorised use of persona, authorised exploitation is more common and more lucrative for the individual. Both authorised and unauthorised use therefore need to be represented in a publicity right. The second part explores justifications for establishing a legal right to regulate the exploitation of publicity and to enable the control of such exploitation by the individual in question. These justifications reflect the dual interests at stake in publicity rights, being dignitarian interests in the use and control of one’s persona, and economic interests in the financial value of such use. The third part of the thesis draws upon the findings of the first two parts in order to assess the most appropriate legal classification of a right of publicity. The conclusion reached is that publicity cannot be sufficiently protected through established real rights or personal rights. Instead, the hybrid nature of publicity, comprising dignitarian and economic interests, should most appropriately be protected through a right in the nature of exclusive privilege (a concept already known in Scots law). This right is capable of enabling the necessary control of persona for the individual, subject to appropriate limitations to recognise the competing interests of other parties. These limits include freedom of expression and cultural communication. The final conclusion is that such a statutory right of exclusive privilege would be best placed to give principled and coherent effect to a right of publicity in Scots law.