Book reviews

Everyday Life in British Government

Professor R A W Rhodes

PUBLISHER: OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS

ISBN: 9780199601141

PRICE: £26

After the many books about the melodramas around the last Labour Government, it is a relief to find a book called “Everyday Life in British Government”. Not that this book is dull; although readers who are not social scientists should probably skip chapter 1, which explains the methodology used to gather the material used in the book but fortunately is not necessary for understanding the rest of it. 

Chapter 2 describes the mad whirl of successive attempts in the Blair years to improve delivery through organisation change that somehow never seemed to achieve much by way of substantive change. The rest of the book describes what the departments examined did and how they operated; their working culture and the roles and working lives of key players; a case study of a crisis faced by a minister and her department; and sets out some final conclusions. The latter include a defence of aspects of traditional civil service culture, and a warning of the risks from losing “institutional memory” through frequent reorganisations and personnel changes, which might usefully be set against the more familiar claims of bureaucratic obstruction and inefficiency.

The author describes the book as “an exercise in political anthropology”, which neatly conveys the main difference between it and the work of commentators of a more historical bent such as Peter Hennessy. By having “embedded” himself within various government departments, Professor Rhodes provides a view from the inside, but not by an insider, informed by the individuals and departments involved having shown remarkable openness including through some often very frank interviews. Also, describing government in terms of social research usefully highlights important yet usually overlooked aspects of how government works, such as the importance of networks (especially informal ones) and the representative role of top civil servants. Highly recommended.

Conveyancing Practice in Scotland

Euan Sinclair and Ann Stewart

PUBLISHER: BLOOMSBURY PROFESSIONAL

ISBN: 9781847668813

PRICE: £78

Thirty five years ago there were not many up-to-date textbooks on conveyancing law and practice. How times have changed. Today, we have a number of excellent publications, and this is to the benefit of conveyancing practitioners and students alike.

The late John Sinclair was a character and an enthusiast for the law. His lively contribution to debate is missed. It is therefore good to see a sixth edition of his conveyancing text being published. The authors are to be congratulated for retaining the essential spirit of previous editions.

Given the number of excellent books on conveyancing that are currently in circulation, it was with some trepidation that I commenced my review. I am pleased to say however that the book is very good and its “easy to read” style will be of benefit especially to students. It has its place in what is a strangely crowded space for a small legal jurisdiction.

The book adopts a style of “from the basics up” approach and, at times, the authors could have provided more examples of further reading. Such references that are found at the end of individual chapters are somewhat sparse and, dare I say, selective. There is a comprehensive analysis of a number of topical subjects, including the Combined Standard Clauses; the PSG due diligence checklist for commercial transactions; e-conveyancing (especially the reference to the Life Association of Scotland case in paras 2.08 and 4.05(b)); and buying a new house from a builder (para 6.11).

It was a good idea to repeat the CML disclosure of incentives form. I particularly liked the treatment of money laundering and the commonsense guide to adopt what the authors describe as the “smell test”. That is good practical advice. Other useful topics covered include a review of the PSG offer to sell investment property; advice when purchasing a property for a business (para 6.15); and advice when selling part of property (para 6.16).

The trademark of John Sinclair’s text, however, was always his treatment of the important art of examination of title or, as he correctly called it, “ the stuff of conveyancing”. As is stated in para 8.02: “Examination of title is a process: a voyage of discovery with an identified destination in mind.”

The authors’ treatment of real burdens is practical and easy to follow. It is good to encourage a move away from what is described as a “feudal mentality”.

Para 10.05 considers the subject of acting for both borrower and lender in a security transaction – a subject that is of current topical interest. I was also pleased to see the distinction being made between recission and resiling in para 12.01. These are terms that are often used in the wrong context.

This book has many other good points and you are encouraged to discover them for yourself.