Press Release

MAKING THE LAW FIT FOR A MODERN BRITAIN

14 June 2007

In its 41st Annual Report published today, the Law Commission celebrates a
prolific year under the spotlight.

The Consultation Paper “Cohabitation: The Financial Consequences of
Relationship Breakdown" generated over 250 responses and has continued to
excite widespread interest. The eagerly awaited recommendations on
reforming the law of Homicide, also attracted the nation’s attention.

New territory was chartered at the beginning of 2007 with the Commission’s
launch of an interactive web discussion forum which gave the public the
opportunity to discuss areas of the law in need of reform. The forum was set
up to enable the widest possible consultation on the Tenth Programme of Law
reform, due to commence in April 2008.

Recommendations from 3 Law Commission reports have found their way on
to the statute book this year. The Commission has been working extensively
with Government in the last year to ensure that number rises, and the problem
of finding Parliamentary time for implementation is reduced.

Sir Terence Etherton, who succeeded Sir Roger Toulson as Chairman in
August 2006, said,

“ I joined the Law Commission at an exciting time. The pace of activity
has never been faster and our reach is greater than ever. We are
working hard to find a solution to the implementation problem, and are
in the process of putting together a new programme of law reform
which is based on our most extensive consultation ever. I look forward
to the next reporting year, and delivering work which is of real public
benefit”.