Formation of 23rd Law Commission

Why in news?

• Recently, the Central Government issued a notification for the formation of the 23rd Law Commission.
• Its term will be three years (1 September 2024 to 31 August 2027).
• It will consist of -
  1. a full-time Chairperson
  2. four full-time members (including the Member Secretary)
  3. Secretary, Department of Legal Affairs as an ex-officio member
  4. Secretary, Legislative Department as an ex-officio member and
  5. not more than five part-time members.

Functions

• Identifying laws that are no longer needed or are not relevant.
• Identifying laws that need to be amended to suit current economic needs.
• Suggesting amendments to laws that need changes
• Examining laws affecting the poor
• Suggesting ways to simplify court procedures
• Reviewing laws in the light of the Directive Principles of State Policy
• Considering matters of law and judicial administration specifically referred to them by the Government

Law Commission

• The Law Commission is a non-statutory body constituted by the Central Government.
• It acts as an advisory body to the Ministry of Law and Justice.
• Its aim is to suggest reforms in laws to make justice accessible in society and promote good governance under the rule of law.
• It makes recommendations (in the form of reports) to the government.
• The Law Commission has submitted 281 reports so far.

History of Law Commission

• The first pre-independence Law Commission was set up in 1834 by the British Government in India.
• It was established by the Charter Act of 1833, it was headed by Lord Macaulay.
• The first Law Commission of independent India was set up in the year 1955, it was headed by M.C. Setalvad.
• Since the independence of India, 22 Law Commissions have been constituted so far