Project status: Pre-project
The problem At present the decisions that a person makes about what happens to their body after they die are not binding, although they may be afforded some weight. This strand of the Burial, Cremation and New Funerary Methods project will consider whether such decisions should be made binding, and will look at the different … Read more >
Project status: Pre-project
The problem Burial and cremation are currently in use as funerary methods in England and Wales, but companies are also developing new funerary methods. These include: alkaline hydrolysis, which uses water and alkaline chemicals, and heat, to break down a body into a sterile liquid and bone fragments; and human composting, which involves keeping a … Read more >
Project status: Pre-consultation
The problem Burial law is governed by a patchwork of legislation, some of which dates to the 1850s. There are different laws in place for burial grounds which are operated by local authorities, the Church of England, and private burial grounds. This complex picture has emerged as a result of different historical development, and it … Read more >
Project status: Pre-project
The problem As part of its response to Clare Wade KC’s Domestic Homicide Sentencing Review, the Government has asked the Law Commission to review the use of defences in domestic homicide cases. In 2004 the Law Commission made recommendations for reform of the partial defences to murder including provocation (now loss of control) and diminished … Read more >
Project status: Pre-consultation
The problem The law on disabled children’s social care in England is currently governed by a patchwork of legislation, some of which dates back more than five decades. This has contributed to variation in the amount and quality of support provided by local authorities, and unnecessarily complicated routes to accessing support for the parents and … Read more >
Project status: Consultation
Respond using the online form here. Download the 2023 Supplementary Consultation Paper. Download the Summary of the 2023 Supplementary Consultation Paper. Download the Welsh Summary of the 2023 Supplementary Consultation Paper. Download the Easy Read Summary of the 2023 Supplementary Consultation Paper. Download the Consultation paper. Download the Summary of the Consultation Paper. Download the … Read more >
Project status: Complete
Download the final report here. Download a summary of the final report here. About arbitration Arbitration is a form of dispute resolution. If two or more parties have a dispute which they cannot resolve themselves, instead of going to court, they might appoint a third person as an arbitrator to resolve the dispute for … Read more >
Project status: Pre-consultation
The Law Commission is seeking views on the law about appeals in criminal cases, including the tests applied by the Court of Appeal and the Criminal Cases Review Commission; and laws governing post-trial retention and disclosure of evidence. Documents Download the issues paper here. Download the summary of the issues paper here. Download the Welsh … Read more >
Assessing the reform options for the laws governing finances on divorce and the ending of a civil partnership The problem Going through a divorce or ending a civil partnership is often a stressful and hugely consequential period for any couple – for both their personal and family lives, as well as their finances. Every year, … Read more >
Project status: Pre-consultation
Our wide-ranging review will consider in detail how the right to renew business tenancies, set out in Part 2 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, is working and will consider options for reform. The law All businesses – from cafes and shops in town centres, to companies occupying offices, warehouses and factories – need … Read more >