Under the Law Commissions Act 1965 the Law Commission is required to submit to the Lord Chancellor “programmes for the examination of different branches of the law with a view to reform”.
Periodically we consult widely, asking for suggestions for appropriate projects to include in our programmes. Decisions about whether to include a project are based on:
- the strength of the need for law reform
- the importance of the issues it will cover
- the availability of resources in terms of both expertise and funding, and
- whether the project is suitable to be dealt with by the Commission.
Although we have a duty to “take and keep under review all the law”, it is important that our efforts are directed towards areas of the law that most need reform and reforms that are most likely to be implemented. We focus on change that will deliver real benefits to the people, businesses, organisations and institutions to which that law applies.
Find out more about how we work.
Programmes
Read details of the 7th programme through to the 13th programme.
You can download reports about earlier programmes from Bailii, the British and Irish Legal Information Institute’s website.
The 14th Programme of Law Reform
On On 24 March 2021, we published the consultation on our 14th Programme. This is now closed.