Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: 22nd Law Commission
Why in the News?
The term of the 22nd Law Commission has ended, with its key report on the Uniform Civil Code still in progress.
About the Law Commission of India:
| Details | |
| Nature | Non-statutory body periodically constituted by the Government of India. It is an Executive Body. |
| Establishment | • First Commission During British India: Established in 1834 under the Charter Act of 1833, chaired by Lord Macaulay, Focused on the codification of laws like the Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Code. • First Commission in Independent India: Established in 1955, chaired by M. C. Setalvad, then Attorney-General of India. |
| Primary Role | Advises the Ministry of Law and Justice on legal reform and reviews existing laws to suggest improvements and draft new legislation.
Recommendations are advisory and NOT binding on the government. |
| Composition | Headed by a Chairperson (usually a retired Supreme Court Judge or Chief Justice of a High Court),
4 full-time members (including a Member-Secretary), ex-officio members (Secretaries of the Departments of Legal Affairs and Legislative Department), and Up to 5 part-time members. |
| Tenure | 3 years, with provisions for reconstitution or extension as required by the government. |
| Key Functions | • Undertakes legal research. • Review existing laws for reforms. • Recommends repeal of obsolete laws. • Suggest amendments and new legislations. • Examines laws that affect the poor and marginalized. |
| Notable Recommendations by 22nd law Commission | • Uniform Civil Code. • Amendments to the sedition law. • Repeal of obsolete laws. • Gender equality in personal laws. • Improvements in judicial administration. |
| Reports Submitted | Over 277 reports on various legal issues including the implementation of international conventions, compulsory registration of marriages, etc. |
| Recent Activity | The 22nd Law Commission is focusing on issues like the Uniform Civil Code and amendments to the sedition law (Section 124A), among other legislative reforms. |
PYQ:[2014] The power to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court of India is vested in: (a) the President of India (b) the Parliament (c) the Chief Justice of India (d) the Law Commission |
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