Law Commission

Question 1

what is the law commission?

Answer 1

the statutory independent body set up under Section 3A of the Law Commissions Act 1965.

Question 2

what is the law commission made up of?

Answer 2

the Acts of Parliament

Question 3

what is the role of the law commission?

Answer 3

to keep the law in England and Wales under review and recommend reform when required.

Question 4

what is the first step of the process to reforming law?

Answer 4

1. the law commission chooses an area of research or receives a refund from the government via the lord chancellor.

Question 5

what is the second step of the process to reforming law?

Answer 5

2. the law commission conducts research on the law and it’s issues.

Question 6

what is the third step of the process to reforming law?

Answer 6

3. the law commission consults relevant parties through a consultation paper.

Question 7

what is the last step of the process to reforming law?

Answer 7

4. a report is produced including firm proposals for change. a draft bill will often be attached to it.

Question 8

what are the types of reform?

Answer 8

• repeal
• consolidation
• codification

Question 9

what is the purpose of repeal?

Answer 9

the law commission can create a statute law (repeal) bill to allow outdated statutes to be removed.

Question 10

what is the purpose of consolidation?

Answer 10

to bring several acts of parliament to create a new one
i.e. Sale of Goods Act 1979

Question 11

what is the purpose of codification?

Answer 11

to pull statute and case law into a new act.

Question 12

what are the strengths of the law commission?

Answer 12

• expertise
• consultation
• thorough

Question 13

what are the weaknesses of the law commission?

Answer 13

• slow
• can be ignored
• expensive