Introduction to the role
Law Commissioners play an influential part in the evolution of the law in England and Wales. Their role goes beyond the academic task of drafting reports as they play an active part in the process of steering legislation through Parliament. This means they are directly involved in discussions with government ministers, senior officials and Parliamentary Counsel.
The Law Commission has five commissioners, including the Chair who is a Court of Appeal judge. Find out more about our current commissioners and the areas of law each one covers.
About the role
Commissioners take a leading role in engaging with the public, press and media during meetings, conferences and on social media. They participate in peer review exercises with their fellow commissioners and the Chair to agree key policy issues that come out of each project. It is an important feature of our work that all our reports are published collectively.
Each commissioner works closely with a team manager. This is a senior lawyer managing the lawyers and research assistants who make up the teams working on each project. Commissioners are closely involved in leading these talented lawyers, providing on-going direction and support for them in a collegiate culture.
Suitability
When recruiting, we aim to look at as broad and diverse a pool of talent as possible. Over the next few years, our work will take place in a very challenging climate. Commissioners must keep us ahead of developments and ensure we remain relevant.
Commissioners must have exceptional academic ability along with specialist expertise. However, it is just as important that they have intellectual curiosity and enthusiasm to turn their abilities to new issues and topics
We look well beyond the traditional choices of senior professors, judges QCs or law firm partners. As a result, we encourage applications from people who may have never considered themselves suitable previously. We do not expect applicants to have existing experience. Instead, we look for individuals who will relish the experience of learning new skills on the job.
Shadowing the Law Commissioner role
Interested in getting insights into this role at the Law Commission? Find out about our diversity work shadowing scheme.