The Stair Memorial Encyclopaedia provides the only comprehensive narrative statement of the law of Scotland. Written by leading lawyers – both practitioners and academics - and other professionals, including doctors, surveyors and historians, the Encyclopaedia ranks among that select group of publications which is cited with approval before the courts. Containing over 130 titles in 25 volumes and Reissue binders, it covers the whole spectrum of Scots law, from Administrative Law, through Criminal Law, Obligations and Property, to Wills and Succession. It incorporates law derived from every source and, while concentrating on the specialities of Scots law, also covers law common to the whole of the United Kingdom.
The Encyclopaedia is arranged alphabetically by title and each title is broken down into convenient and logical numbered sections in which the substantive law is summarised. Each statement of law is supported by citation of authority, and there are copious references to sources of further information, both primary and secondary, to ensure the reader has detailed information to hand. The work is thoroughly indexed to make it clear and easy to use. Each individual title has its own index, and a consolidated index of the complete work is available. Similarly, each volume contains tables of cases, statutes, and statutory instruments for those titles it covers and consolidated tables for the whole work are available.
The Encyclopaedia titles are kept up-to-date each year by two service elements – the Reissue Service and the Updating Service. Together these provide a comprehensive updating service.