Law Reform Flashcards
What is Law Reform?
Process of changing and updating laws so they reflect current values and needs of modern society.
Who is the Law Commission?
Main reform body. Set up in 1965 by the Law Commission Act 1965z Full time body, which consists of a chairman, a high court judge and 4 other law commissioners who are highly qualified lawyers/ support staff.
And their role is to keep law under review.
What are some examples of recent reforms?
Coroners and Justice Act 2009 - abolished law of provocation to murder and introduced loss of control.
Consumers rights 2015 - give consumers right to reject faulty goods and get refund.
What are the 3 stages of reformed law?
1) Codification - Bringing together all the law on 1 topic into one complete code of law e.g Fraud Act 2007.
2) Consolidation - Combining law from several acts into 1 acts e.g Offences against the persons act 1861z
3) Repeal - Area of Parliament are cancelled out of existence e.g Theft Act 1968 repeals the Larceny Act 1916.
What are 3 advantages of law reform?
1) Areas of law researched by legal experts
2) Whole of areas of law can be considered
3) Law commissioners consults before finalising it proposing
What are 3 disadvantages of law reform?
1) Government does not follow all the recommendations of law commission.
2) Lack of Parliamentary time.
3) Failure of parliament to implement reforms.
