Law Commission

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Reforming the law

The Law Commission is an independent organisation. We were created in 1965 to keep the law of England and Wales under review and recommend reform where needed.

Find out more about us.

Current projects

Our law reform work focuses on changes that deliver real benefits to people, organisations and institutions.

Take a look at the wide range of projects we’re working on currently.

Latest projects

Contempt of court

The Law Commission has been asked by the Government to review the law on contempt of court and consider reform to improve its effectiveness, consistency and coherence.

View project

Criminal appeals

The Law Commission is consulting on reforms to the law governing criminal appeals, including the tests applied by appeal courts and the Criminal Cases Review Commission, post-trial retention of and access to evidence, and compensation and support for the wrongly convicted.

View project

Compulsory purchase

Reviewing outdated compulsory purchase laws to support a faster, simpler and more modern land acquisition process. The consultation period for this project is open until 31 March 2025.

View project

View all projects

News

Featured news

Law Commission opens a further consultation in light of the contempt issues that arose after the Southport murders.

The Law Commission has today (3 March) published a brief supplementary consultation paper. The Commission is seeking further views on what information or opinions someone should lawfully be able to publish after a suspect has been arrested

Published on March 3, 2025

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