The Law Commission of India is a non-statutory body constituted by the Government of lndia from time to time. The Commission was originally constituted in 1955. Since then the Commission is reconstituted every three years and is usually headed by a retired Supreme Court judge or former Chief Justice of a high court.
The 21st Law Commission has been formed which will consist of 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.
It has been formed for the period of three years w.e.f. 1st September. 2015 to 31st August, 2018.
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 India 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 etc. The other functions of the Law Commission shall, inter-alia, include:
a) identification of laws which are no longer relevant and recommending for the repeal of obsolete and unnecessary enactments;
b) suggesting 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;
c) considering and conveying to the Government its views on any subject relating to law and judicial administration that may be specifically referred to it by the Government through Ministry of Law and Justice (Department of Legal Affairs);
d) considering the requests for providing research to any foreign countries as may be referred to it by the Government through Ministry of Law & Justice (Department of Legal Affairs);
e) preparing and submitting to the Central Government, from time to time, reports on all issues, matters, studies and research undertaken by it and recommending in such reports for effective measures to be taken by the Union or any State; and
f) performing such other functions as may be assigned to it by the Central Government from time to time
