UK Law Commission unveils new law agenda

The Law Commission prepares for a ‘global Britain’ as the UK readies to leave the EU

UK Law Commission unveils new law agenda
The UK’s Law Commission has revealed its latest law agenda, focusing on making a “global Britain” with enhanced competitiveness as the UK leaves the European Union.

With the new program, the non-political independent body is also focused on improving the way the law works for the jurisdiction’s citizens and businesses.

The “13th Programme of Law Reform” contains 14 new project areas that were chosen from a record 220 individual project ideas after a public consultation, which received more than 1,300 submissions.

“Our 13th Programme of Law Reform attracted unprecedented interest across a broad range of areas. The commission has now refined these ideas into what I believe is a highly relevant and important series of law reform projects. We want to help tackle injustices by making the law simpler, clearer and fit for the future,” said Sir David Bean, Law Commission chair and Court of Appeal judge. “We will also be making sure the law supports cutting edge technical innovation such as automated vehicles and smart contracts. Although we are operating in uncertain times, I am confident that our independence and ability to build consensus will help ensure that Parliament can take forward law reform in these areas.”

The 14 projects are:
  • A modern framework for disposing of the dead
  • Administrative review
  • Automated vehicles
  • Electronic signatures
  • Employment law hearing structures
  • Intermediated securities
  • Modernising trust law for a global Britain
  • Museum collections
  • Registered land and chancel repair liability
  • Residential leasehold
  • Simplifying the immigration rules
  • Smart contracts
  • Surrogacy
  • Unfair terms in residential leasehold
The Law Commission, which was established by Parliament in 1965, sets out its intended areas of focus every three to four years. The consultation for the latest program began in July of last year.


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