Consolidation
Consolidation is one of our statutory functions under the Law Commissions Act 1965. We have been responsible for over 200 consolidation Bills that have become Acts since 1965. The aim is to make the statute law clearer, shorter and more accessible. A good consolidation has real practical benefits for those who work with the law (such as legal practitioners and the courts), those concerned with making it (such as Parliament and Government) and for those who need to access or use it (such as citizens and businesses).
The main purpose of a consolidation project is to draw together different enactments on a topic into a single Act. The Act usually replaces provisions in different Acts (and often statutory instruments) passed over a period of years.
Read more about the Law Commission’s approach to consolidation.
Immigration Consolidation
The Government has asked the Law Commission to pause the work to consolidate the primary legislation on immigration. The Windrush Lessons Learned Review, which was published in March 2020, drew attention to the complexity of immigration and nationality law and included this recommendation: Reduce the complexity of immigration and nationality law, immigration rules and guidance … Read more >
Powers of the Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Bill
The Bill that is the subject of this Report consolidates certain enactments relating to the powers of courts in England and Wales to deal with offenders and defaulters and to the treatment of such persons. A joint report with the Scottish Law Commission.
Parliamentary Costs Bill
The Bill which is the subject of this report consolidates the legislation about the costs relating to Parliamentary proceedings on private Bills. The Bill extends to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. A joint report with the Scottish Law Commission.
Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Bill
The Act consolidates legislation from 1965 onwards on co-operative and community benefit societies (formerly known as industrial and provident societies). It gives effect to a Report made by the Law Commission and the Scottish Law Commission making recommendations for changes to the law being consolidated. The Report was laid before Parliament and published on 19 … Read more >