The Law of Arbitration in Scotland by R. L. C. Hunter. Published by T & T Clark, Edinburgh (1987, Ixiv and 440 pp, including Contents, Preface, Tables of Cases, Statutes and Abbreviations, Appendices and Index ). Hardback. £29.95 (UK) . For many years practitioners in Scotland have felt the need for an up-to-date and authoritative text book on the Law of Arbitration in Scotland. In Scotland a smaller market has traditionally made legal text book publishing unattractive, particularly so in more specialised areas, although the last fifteen years or so have produced many works of great benefit, both to practitioners and academics. In arbitration no work of significance and authority has appeared since as long ago as 1904. Robert Hunter's recent book now covers this subject more than adequately. Robert Hunter explains the historical development of arbitration in Scotland from the earliest times. His citation of authority is wide ranging from early 13th century sources to recent times. He has carried out the immense task in his research for this book of reading, noting and indexing every known decision of the Scottish Courts on any points of arbitration law. While not every case thus noted has been cited in this book, the practitioners, given such a diligent approach having been adopted by the author, can feel relaxed that no point of importance in which Scottish authority exists has been missed. Mr Hunter's citation of authority however stretches beyond Scotland with relevant citations from other jurisdictions, including England and Wales and decisions of the Commission of the European Communities. Mr Hunter has approached his subject matter under four main headings. Part A (Foundations) sets the scene for defining the nature of arbitration. The author lays stress on its judicial character, but making it clear that subject to the terms of the agreement to arbitrate and the requirement of the arbiter to conform to the rules of natural justice, the arbiter is the complete master of procedure. Thus in a complicated arbitration, the arbiter is likely to adopt procedures not dissimilar to …