Book excerpt: Principles of Property Law offers a critical and contextual analysis of fundamental property law, providing students with the tools to enable them to make sense of English land law rules in the context of real world applications. This new book adopts a contextual approach, placing the core elements of a qualifying law degree property and land law course in the context of general principles and practices as they have developed in the UK and other jurisdictions in response to a changing societal relationship with a variety of factors. Also drawing on concepts of property developed by political theorists, economists and environmentalists, Principles of Property Law gives students a clear understanding of how property law works, why it matters and how the theory connects with the real world. Suitable for undergraduates studying property and land law in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as postgraduate students seeking an accessible analysis.