The Law Commission welcomes plans outlined in today’s Queen Speech to close a legal loophole which means buyers of second-hand vehicles are at risk of having them repossessed due to unfair logbook loans. As part of plans to make the country fairer the Government has announced it will act on Law Commission recommendations to scrap … Read more >
Last summer the Law Commission called for ideas for its 13th Programme of Law Reform. We received a huge amount of responses – with 215 unique projects suggestions – and are currently analysing the responses. While no decisions have been made yet, the Law Commission had planned to seek the Lord Chancellor’s approval for the … Read more >
Older people who have moved into retirement leasehold properties could be being hit with unfair fees worth thousands of pounds, according to the Law Commission. After a two-year investigation, the independent law body has found that there is real potential for abuse in the charging of so called “event fees” or “transfer fees”. When the … Read more >
Thousands of vulnerable people with dementia and learning disabilities are being detained in hospitals and care homes without the appropriate checks, due to a law unfit for purpose according to the Law Commission. Often those who lack the mental capacity to consent – like certain people with dementia or learning disabilities – need to be … Read more >
Due to a large amount of interest, the deadline for responding to the Protection of Official Data open public consultation has been extended to 3 May. The paper, launched on the 2nd February, suggests ways to improve the law around the protection of official information. It is an independent review of the laws – including … Read more >
The Law Commission today welcomed the decision by Ministers to close a legal loophole which means buyers of second-hand vehicles are at risk of having them repossessed due to unfair laws around logbook loans. Logbook loans are a way for borrowers to use their car or van as security for a loan and over the … Read more >
The Officials Secret Acts are being independently reviewed to ensure that the law is keeping pace with the challenges of the 21st century. The Law Commission – an independent body set up to reform the law – has today published a consultation paper which suggests ways to improve the law around the protection of official … Read more >
The law around firearms has been strengthened today thanks to recommendations by the Law Commission. The Policing and Crime Act 2017 has now received Royal Assent. Part 6 of the Act implements the recommendations of the Law Commission’s Firearms Report that was published at the end of 2015. As a result the law is now: … Read more >
Everyone at the Law Commission was very sad to learn of the death this morning of Dame Frances Patterson. Frances was Commissioner for Public Law from 2010 to 2013. The reports of the Commission during this period included Adult Social Care and Public Services Ombudsmen among many others. In 2013 she was appointed to be … Read more >
Each year thousands of separating couples apply to the courts for financial orders. Sometimes these orders are not complied with. The law of enforcement of family financial orders is a complicated area, contained in a range of legislation and court rules. It can then be difficult for parties, particularly litigants in person, to recover the … Read more >