Cabinet approves setting up of new Law Commission

The union cabinet on Wednesday approved constitution of the new Law Commission of India for three years, effective from September 1 this year.

The 21st new Law Commission will comprise a full-time chairperson, four full-time members (including a member-secretary), secretary, Department of Legal Affairs as ex-officio member, secretary, Legislative Department as ex-officio member and not more than five part-time members, the government said in a statement here.

The Law Commission shall, on a reference made to it by the central government or suo-motu, undertake research in law and review of existing laws in the country for making reforms therein and enacting new legislations.

It shall also undertake studies and research for bringing reforms in the justice delivery systems for elimination of delay in procedures, speedy disposal of cases, reduction in cost of litigation, it added.

It will look after issues such as identification of laws which are no longer relevant and recommending for the repeal of obsolete and unnecessary enactments.

The commission will suggest enactment of new legislations as may be necessary to implement the Directive Principles and to attain the objectives set out in the preamble of the constitution.

It will give its views to the government on any subject relating to law and judicial administration, the statement said, adding that the commission will also prepare and submit to the central government reports on all issues, matters, studies and research undertaken by it.

The Law Commission of India is a non-statutory body constituted by the central government from time to time.

The commission was originally constituted in 1955 and is re-constituted every three years. The tenure of the 20th Law Commission was up to 31st August, 2015.