Brian Sloan is a College Lecturer and Fellow in Law at Robinson College, and an Affiliated Lecturer in the Faculty of Law, University of Cambridge.
Photograph courtesy of University of Cambridge.

Every day, large numbers of altruistic individuals, in the absence of any legal duty, provide substantial and essential services for elderly and disabled people. In doing so, many such informal carers suffer financial and other disadvantages. This book considers the scope for a "private law" approach to rewarding, supporting or compensating carers, an increasingly vital topic in the context of an ageing population and the need for savings in public expenditure. Adopting a comparative approach, the book explores the recognition of the informal carer and his or her relationship with the care recipient within diverse fields of private law, from unjust enrichment to succession. Aspects of the analysis include the importance of a promise of a reward from the care recipient and the appropriate measure of any remedy. In considering the potential for expansion of a "private law" approach for carers, the book addresses the fundamental and controversial question of the price of altruism.
Winner of the University of Cambridge's Yorke Prize 2014

1. Introduction
1.1 The Concern of this Book
1.2 Social Policy Context and Normative Considerations
1.3 Questions to be Addressed in the Book
1.4 Subject Matter of the Book
1.5 Summary
2. Property Law Claims: Proprietary Estoppel and Constructive Trusts
2.1 Introduction and Background
2.2 The Elements of Proprietary Estoppel
2.3 The Remedial Discretion
2.4 The Legitimacy of Proprietary Estoppel
2.5 Carers and the Constructive Trust
2.6 Conclusion: The Limitations of Estoppel
3. Statutory Enforcement of Testamentary Promises
3.1 Introduction and Background to the New Zealand Legislation
3.2 The Promise
3.3 Proposed Reforms to the 'Promise' Requirement
3.4 The Services or Work
3.5 The Remedy
3.6 Conclusion
4. Unjust Enrichment
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Care Services as Enrichment
4.3 The Unjust Factor
4.4 Unjust Enrichment in the Domestic Context in England and Wales
4.5 The Distinctive Canadian Approach
4.6 Conclusion
5. Family Provision
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Justifying the Use of Family Provision Law to Recognise the Carer
5.3 The Eligibility of the 'Pure' Carer under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975
5.4 The Relevance of Care Provided to the Quantification of Relief
5.5 Conclusion
6. Inter Vivos Provision on the Breakdown of Caring Relationships
6.1 Introduction
6.2 The Position in England and Wales
6.3 The Approach in Australia
6.4 Conclusion
7. Undue Influence
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Policy Issues
7.3 Undue Influence and Informal Carers
7.4 Applying the Elements of Presumed Undue Influence to Care Cases
7.5 Conclusion
8. Conclusion
8.1 Carers and Private Law
8.2 Unconscionability of Dealing
8.3 Unconscionability of Outcome
8.4 The Limitations of Statutory Discretions
8.5 The Measure of Relief
8.6 The Future