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Law

Law Commission Reports

Researching Law Commission reports is a valuable skill for law students as these reports provide insights into potential law reforms and the reasoning behind them.

  1. Understand the Law Commission:

    • Role: The Law Commission is an independent body that reviews and recommends reforms to the law in England and Wales.
    • Types of Reports: They produce various reports, including consultation papers, final reports, and implementation reports.

  2. Access Law Commission Reports:

    • Law Commission Website: The official website (lawcom.gov.uk) is the primary source for reports published since 1995. You can browse by topic or search using keywords.
    • British and Irish Legal Information Institute (BAILII): BAILII archives older reports that are not available on the Law Commission website.
    • The National Archives: The National Archives holds a collection of Law Commission publications, including some earlier reports not found elsewhere.

  3. Search for Relevant Reports:

    • Keyword Search: Use specific keywords related to your research topic to find relevant reports.
    • Consult Indexes and Tables of Contents: These can help you quickly identify relevant sections within a report.

  4. Analyse Law Commission Reports:

    • Read the Introduction: This provides an overview of the report's purpose and context.
    • Identify Key Issues and Arguments: Pay attention to the problems identified with the current law and the arguments for and against reform.
    • Assess the Recommendations: Consider the feasibility and potential impact of the proposed reforms.
    • Consult Other Sources: Supplement your research with additional materials like parliamentary debates, journal articles, or case law to gain a broader perspective.

  5. Additional Tips:

    • Check for Updates: Law reform is an ongoing process, so check for updates or responses to Law Commission reports on the government website or through parliamentary publications.
    • Cite Law Commission Reports Correctly: Use the OSCOLA referencing style, which typically includes the report number, title, year of publication, and paragraph number.