President Murmu Approved 23rd Law Commission of India

Establishment and Structure

• 23rd Law Commission approved by President Droupadi Murmu
• Term: September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2027

Composition:

• • Chairperson (full-time)
  • Four full-time members (including Member-Secretary)
  • Two ex-officio members (Secretaries of Legal and Legislative Departments)
  • Up to five part-time members
• Under administrative control of the Union Ministry of Law and Justice
• Executive body created by presidential order, not constitutional or statutory

Key Objectives and Terms of Reference

• Review and repeal obsolete laws
• Develop Standard Operating Procedure for periodic legal reviews
• Evaluate impact of laws on poverty and economically disadvantaged
• Reform judicial administration to reduce delays
• Align laws with Directive Principles of State Policy
• Promote gender equality through legal reforms
• Simplify and revise Central Acts
• Assess globalization's impact on social issues (e.g., food security, unemployment)
• Provide legal research assistance internationally
• Address specific legal issues referred by the government

Significance and Pending Issues

• Succeeds the 22nd Law Commission, addressing delays in pending reports
• Focus on making laws more effective and relevant to current needs
• Tasked with examining laws in light of Constitutional objectives
• Expected to address important topics like:
  • Uniform Civil Code
  • Simultaneous elections across the country
• Recommendations to be documented in Hindi and English, available online
• Collaboration with educational institutions for legal research and education

Historical Context and Evolution

• Concept originated from 1833 Charter Act during British rule
• First post-independence Law Commission established in 1955
• Previous commissions have played crucial role in legal reforms
• Recommendations are advisory, not binding on the government
• Typically chaired by retired judges or legal experts
• Reports widely debated due to involvement of serving judges from Supreme Court and High Courts