Law reform report - Keeping apace with society

The Law Reform Commission is a statutory body established to ensure that law is kept up to date by suggesting necessary reforms to keep pace with changing circumstances in society.

Over the years, since its establishment in 1975, it has published 190 documents in the form of consultation papers, issue papers and reports, which have had a considerable influence on the drafting and content of legislation.

Yesterday, the commission published its fourth Programme of Law Reform, which looks at the need for law reform in the next couple of years. This programme was drawn up following consultation with various Government departments and the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Equality and Defence, along with various other groups, which provided 68 written submissions.