Law Reform

• What is the aim of the study material?

  To recognize why law reform is necessary
• What are the objectives of the study material?

  Recognize reasons for law reform and identify influential bodies
• What is one reason why law needs reform?

  To adapt to changing societal needs
• Who influences law according to the study material?

  Government, Parliament, judges, pressure groups, media
• What role does the Government play in creating laws?

  Creates, amends, and repeals laws
• What does a manifesto include?

  Plans and promises of a political party
• Is the government bound by what they set out in their manifesto?

  No, they are not legally bound
• How do we know what prospective Governments intend to do?

  Through their election manifestos
• What is the Statute Law (Repeals) Act 2018?

  An act that repeals outdated laws
• What is codification in law?

  Bringing together Acts and Case Law
• What is consolidation in law?

  Bringing together multiple Acts into one
• What is an example of a judicial influence on law?

  Donoghue v Stevenson [1932]
• What are pressure groups?

  Organizations that advocate for specific causes
• Can you name a tactic used by pressure groups?

  Lobbying MPs
• What is the Snowdrop Campaign?

  A pressure group advocating for gun control
• How did media pressure influence law reform?

  It led to inquiries and new laws
• What was the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 a response to?

  Highly-publicized dog attacks
• What is the purpose of inquiries?

  To investigate significant tragedies or events
• Name one inquiry mentioned in the study material.

  Litvinenko Inquiry (2016)
• What is the purpose of the e-petition website?

  To stimulate public interest in law reform
• What happens if an e-petition receives 10,000 signatures?

  The government will respond
• What is the significance of the Human Rights Act 1998?

  It brought the European Convention into UK law
• Why might governments not focus on law reform?

  They prioritize politically motivated areas
• What is a criticism of judicial law reform?

  It can breach the separation of powers
• What is the presumption of doli incapax?

  A legal presumption regarding children's culpability
• What is the role of the Law Commission?

  To systematically develop and reform the law
• What is the composition of the Law Commission?

  Five Commissioners and a Chairperson
• What does the Law Commission do proactively?

  Decides what areas of law to consider
• What is the purpose of codification?

  To simplify and modernize the law
• What is the role of the Law Commission in repeals?

  To repeal archaic and unnecessary laws
• What is the significance of the Statute Law (Repeals) Act?

  It repealed over 3000 outdated Acts
• What is consolidation in law reform?

  Bringing together existing statutory provisions
• What is a disadvantage of codification?

  It can make law too rigid
• What was the success rate of the Law Commission from 1965-1975?

  85% of proposals were enacted
• What was the Halliday Report 2003's conclusion about the Law Commission?

  It held the Commission's contribution in high esteem
• What did the Law Commission announce in 2008 regarding criminal law codification?

  It would focus on specific area reforms instead
• What does the Law Commission Act 2009 require from the Lord Chancellor?

  To report annually on implementation of proposals
• What is the role of government departments in relation to the Law Commission?

  To respond to proposals within six months