Review of 'Devolution' by N.Burrows, London : Sweet & Maxwell, 2000.

Abstract

In her book Devolution, Professor Noreen Burrows systematically describes the intricacies of the law pertaining to devolution in the United Kingdom, examining in detail the Scotland *P.L. 589 Act 1998, Northern Ireland Act 1998 and Government of Wales Act 1998. Burrows considers the role and powers of the devolved Parliament and Assemblies, the machinery established for the management of “intra-governmental” relations, the role of the law officers and courts in the process of disputes over devolved competences and finally looks to the future of the United Kingdom as a “united” or “union” state (pp. 181-192). The fact that the book's scope lies predominantly in the legal aspects of devolution should not detract those whose interests lie in the political field, but as a statement of the law following the passing of the 1998 Acts Burrows' work is both well structured and comprehensive.