Law Reform (Paper 2)

Question 1

Meaning of Law Reform

Answer 1

Process of changing and updating laws

Question 2

The main law reform body

Answer 2

The Law Commission

Question 3

Act which created the Law Commission

Answer 3

Law Commissions Act 1965

Question 4

Composition of the Law Commission

Answer 4

Full time body and consists of a chairman, who is a High Court Judge, four other law commissioners who are qualified lawyers as well as support staff

Question 5

Role of the Law Commission

Answer 5

Keep the law under review with a view to its systematic reform. From 1965-2016, 66% of reform reports became law, including the Coroners & Justice Act 2009 and the Consumer Rights Act 2015

Question 6

Methods used by the Law Commission

Answer 6

Codification, Consolidation, Repeal

Question 7

Codification

Answer 7

Bringing together all the law on one topic into one complete code of law, such as the Fraud Act 2007

Question 8

Consolidation

Answer 8

Combining the law from several Acts of Parliament into one, such as the Offences Against the Person Act 1861

Question 9

Repeal

Answer 9

When Acts of Parliament that no longer apply are cancelled out of existence, e.g. the Theft Act 1968 repealed the Larceny Act 1916

Question 10

Advantages of the Law Commission

Answer 10

Areas of law are researched by legal experts, it is non-political, whole areas of law can be considered

Question 11

Disadvantages of the Law Commission

Answer 11

Failure of Parliament to implement reforms, lack of parliamentary time, government does not follow Law Commission’s recommendations