law reform Flashcards
what is meant by law reform
to change the law to make it better
why do we need to reform the law
law may be outdated
law may be unclear
there may be people calling for change
what thing/people/groups can influence law making and reform
political influences
public opinion/ media
pressure groups and lobbyists
law commission
political influences
publish a manifesto setting out political aims and promises
if these people get voted into government they put these plans into action and can make them a law
eg. Labour Party promised to bring rights home which led to the human rights act 1998
private member bills- introduced vy individual MPs which h they push into parliament
eg. abortion act 1967 - David Steel
public opinion/media
where there is a strong public opinion on issues the government may have to make law to deal with it
eg dangerous dogs act 1991
media can also play a part in getting the attention of the public and parliament
pressure groups
groups that have specific matters they want to bring to peoples attention
2 types: sectional pressure groups, cause pressure groups
sectional- particular groups/ sections of society eg. law society represents lawyers interests
cause-more focused on specific causes than groups of people eg. league of cruel sport was against fox hunting and led to the hun tinge act 2004
lobbyists
get individual MPs to support a cause - often persuade MPs o ask questions in HOC to create publicity
law commission
independant groups of legal experts who find problems with the law conduct research into how to fix thesis problems and then propose reforms to parliament
eg consumer rights act 2015
what created the law commission
law commission act 1965
who are the law commission
the chair
the other four commissioners
chief executive + personnel
non-executive board members
the chair
high court or an appeal court judge appointed to the commission by the lord chancellor and secretary of state for justice for up to three years
the other four commissioners
experienced judges, barristers, solicitors or teachers of law are appointed by the lord chancellor and secretary of state for justice for up to five years although their appointments may be extended
chief executive + personnel
the commissioners are supported by a chief executive and about 20 members of government who draft bills
non executive board members
provide support independant challenge and expertise on issue of governance and strategic management
what is the law commissions duty
review all areas of law to make systematic reform
