We have started work on the scoping phase of our review of the law of marriage. We expect to publish a report at the end of this phase, which we anticipate will be in late 2015 The Government has asked us to conduct a review of the law governing how and where people can marry … Read more >
The Scarman Lecture 2015, The Law Reform Enterprise: Evaluating the Past and Charting the Future, was delivered by Sir Geoffrey Palmer KCMG AC QC at Middle Temple Hall, London, on 24 March 2015.
The 370,000 charities in England and Wales are facing unnecessary administrative and financial burdens because of inefficient and unduly complex law. Lord Hodgson’s 2012 review of the Charities Act 2006 concluded that technical problems in various areas of charity law are causing difficulties for charities and diverting resources away from their charitable activities. Following the … Read more >
We have opened a consultation exploring whether aspects of charity law can be reformed to remove unnecessary regulation while safeguarding the public interest in ensuring that charities are properly run. The consultation is open until 3 July 2015.
The Law Commission Act 2009 came into force on 12 January 2010. The Act creates a duty on the Lord Chancellor to report annually to Parliament on the extent to which Government has implemented Law Commission recommendations.
Every year, thousands of separating couples apply to the courts for financial orders, either because they cannot agree or to turn an agreement into an order so as to make it enforceable. The courts can order a person to make financial provision for a former spouse or civil partner. Sometimes the courts also make orders … Read more >
We opened a consultation today on the enforcement of family financial orders in England and Wales. Our project is about the enforcement of court orders for the payment of money, or the transfer of property, between family members, which we call “family financial orders”. We are seeking views on the extent to which reform could … Read more >
Police and prosecutors tackling gun crime struggle to enforce the law because legislation relating to firearms is complex and unclear. Deficiencies in the legislation have a serious impact on the ability of the criminal justice system to respond effectively to gun crime. The complexity also makes it difficult for legitimate firearms holders to comply with … Read more >
On 9 March we announced the start of our work to reform firearms offences, with a view to clarifying and simplifying the law and making it easier to understand and use.
Professor Elizabeth Cooke, Law Commissioner for property, family and trust law, has been appointed Principal Judge of the Land Registration Division of the First Tier Tribunal, and will take up her post in summer 2015. Congratulating Professor Cooke on her appointment, Law Commission Chairman Sir David Lloyd Jones said: “In her seven years as a … Read more >