Events: Have your say on our Sentencing Code plans

As part of the Law Commission’s consultation on a new sentencing code it will host a series of free public events. Currently, the law of sentencing procedure is contained in many different Acts of Parliament, dating as far back as the 14th century. It is often not clear how the Acts apply and many use … Read more >

Charities need right rules to run effectively – report

Reforms to charity law could save millions

Changes to the law could help charities run more effectively, according to the Law Commission. In a new report – Technical Issues in Charity Law – published today, the Commission says that problems in charity law prevent or delay legitimate charitable activities. Discourage people from volunteering. And force charities to obtain professional advice that should … Read more >

Have your say on wills proposals

Archive: The consultation closed on 10 November 2017. See the latest on the project here. As part of the Law Commission’s consultation on the laws around making a will it will host a series of free public events. Law Commissioner Professor Nick Hopkins and the project team will set out their proposals for change and … Read more >

Technical consultation to simplify sentencing launched

A new consultation which looks to tidy up sentencing law has been launched by the Law Commission. Currently, the law of sentencing procedure is contained in many different Acts of Parliament, dating as far back as the 14th century. It is often not clear how the Acts apply and many use outdated and inaccessible language. … Read more >

Welsh government makes move towards clearer, simpler law

The Welsh Government has accepted the majority of the Law Commission’s recommendations found in our 2016 report on the Form and Accessibility of the Law Applicable in Wales. The report made a number of recommendations to make the law made in Wales clearer, simpler and easier to access. It proposed that significant areas of the … Read more >

Congratulations to Lady Hale and Lord Justice Lloyd Jones

Congratulations to two former Law Commissioners whose appointment to high judicial office has been announced today. Baroness Hale or Richmond, the new President of the Supreme Court, was a Commissioner from 1984 to 1993  and Sir David Lloyd Jones, a new Justice of the Supreme Court, was Chair of the Law Commission from 2012 to … Read more >

Outdated law of wills needs “overhaul” to reflect modern world

The outdated law of wills needs an overhaul according to the Law Commission. The independent body say that Victorian laws, out of step with the modern world, are failing to protect the vulnerable – and not allowing others to distribute their cherished possessions after they’ve gone. With an estimated 40% of adults dying each year without … Read more >

Law Commission sets out its priorities for the year

The Law Commission has today set out its plans for the current financial year in a new business plan. The document sets out measurable targets for the organisation to meet which will help it achieve its aim of reforming the law. It sets four priorities: To ensure that the law is fair, modern and clear; … Read more >

Lord Toulson

The Law Commission was very sad to learn today of the untimely death of Lord Toulson. He served as Chairman of the Commission between 2002 and 2006. The reports we published during this period covered a variety of important subjects including partial defences to murder, forfeiture and succession, renting homes and unfair terms in contracts. … Read more >