Law Commission to review how private international law applies to digital assets and other emerging technology

The Law Commission of England and Wales has launched a Government-commissioned review that aims to provide clarity on how private international law rules can apply to emerging technology, such as digital assets and electronic trade documents. The Commission’s new law reform project, Digital assets: which law, which court?, will consider the private international law challenges … Read more >

Electronic Trade Documents Bill introduced to Parliament

On Wednesday 12th October, an Electronic Trade Documents Bill was presented before Parliament. The Bill, which is based on Law Commission recommendations and draft legislation, with some modifications, proposes changes to the law that would allow for the legal recognition of electronic versions of trade documents, such as bills of lading and bills of exchange. The … Read more >

New reforms to ensure UK retains position as a leader in international arbitration

The Law Commission of England and Wales has today unveiled new proposals to update the Arbitration Act 1996, to ensure that the UK continues to be the foremost destination for international arbitration. Arbitration, which involves parties resolving a dispute privately through a third party rather than the traditional court process, is a major industry in … Read more >

Law Commission to undertake review of the appeals system

The Law Commission of England and Wales has launched a wide-ranging review of the laws governing appeals for criminal cases. The Commission has been asked by the Government to examine the need for reforms to the appeals system, to ensure that the courts have the right powers to enable the effective, efficient and appropriate resolution … Read more >

Law reforms proposed for digital assets, including NFTs and other crypto-tokens

The Law Commission of England and Wales has published new proposals to reform the law relating to digital assets. Digital assets, which include crypto-tokens — sometimes referred to as cryptocurrencies — and non-fungible tokens (NFTs), play an increasingly important role in modern society. The emerging technologies are used for an increasing variety of purposes, including … Read more >

New project to examine the legal implications of increased autonomy in aviation

The Law Commission will launch a new project to review the law around autonomous flight, in order to support the safe development of rapidly advancing technology.   The two-year review is sponsored by the Future Flight Challenge at UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) and supported by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and Department for Transport … Read more >

Outdated weddings laws to be overhauled under new reforms

The Law Commission of England and Wales has today outlined recommendations to reform weddings law, proposing a fairer system that gives couples more choice over where and how their wedding takes place. The Commission was asked by the Government to review the law on weddings, following concerns that it is not working for many couples. … Read more >

Extension to the tenure of the Chair of the Law Commission

The Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice has approved an extension to Sir Nicholas Green’s tenure as the Chair of the Law Commission. The Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, the Rt Hon Dominic Raab MP, has extended Sir Nicholas Green’s tenure as Chair of … Read more >

Reforms to protect victims of intimate image abuse, criminalising “downblousing” and sharing pornographic deepfakes without consent 

The Law Commission of England and Wales has today proposed new recommendations to strengthen the law to protect victims of intimate image abuse. The law reforms, published following a detailed review, would make it easier to prosecute those who take or share sexual, nude or other intimate images of people without their consent. The Government … Read more >

New Law Commission project to review the law on contempt of court

The Law Commission of England and Wales has been asked by the Government to review the law on contempt of court and consider reform to improve its effectiveness, consistency, and coherence. “Contempt of court” refers to a wide variety of conduct by those involved in legal proceedings, which may impede or interfere with a court … Read more >