Press Information Bureau

Government of India Cabinet

04-October-2012 20:33 IST

The Union Cabinet today approved the constitution of 20th Law Commission for a period for three years from 01.09.2012 to 31.08.2015.

The details are as follows:

The terms of reference of the 20th Law Commission will include :

(i) identification of laws which are in harmony with the existing climate of economic globalization,

(ii) exploring suitable measures for equal redressal of citizens grievances related to the field of law,

(iii) examination of laws which affect the poor and carrying out post-audit for socio-economic legislations,

(iv) to take measures to harness the law and legal process in the service of the poor,

(v) to eliminate delays, speedy clearance of arrears of cases and reduction in costs,

(vi) examining existing laws with a view to promote gender equality and suggesting amendments to such cases,

(vii) to examine the impact of globalization on food security and unemployment and recommend measures for the protection of the interests of the marginalized.

The 20th Law Commission will be headed by a full-time Chairperson and will consist of four full-time Members (including Member-Secretary), Secretary, Department of Legal Affairs ( as ex-officio Member), Secretary, Legislative Department (as ex officio Member) and five part-time Members that, This time, Secretary, Department of Legal Affairs and Secretary, Legislative Department have been added to the Commission as ex officio Members with a view to achieve better implementation of Law Commission Reports. Further, before concretizing its recommendations, the Commission will consult the nodal Ministry /Department(s) and such other stakeholders as the Commission may feel necessary for the purpose.

The Law Commission of India is a non-statutory body constituted by the Government of India from time to time. The Commission was originally constituted in 1955 and is reconstituted every three years. The tenure of the Nineteenth Law Commission has ended on 31st August, 2012.

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SH/SKS

Law Commission constitution expands membership and mandates review of laws for socio economic protection and speedy justice. Constitution of the Twentieth Law Commission was approved for a three year term beginning 1 September 2012. Its terms of reference direct review of laws for compatibility with globalization, grievance redressal, post audit of socio economic legislation affecting the poor, measures to harness law for the poor, reduction of delays and costs, promotion of gender equality, and assessment of globalization's impact on food security and unemployment. The Commission comprises a full time Chairperson, four full time Members, five part time Members and Secretaries of the Department of Legal Affairs and Legislative Department as ex officio members, and will consult nodal ministries before finalising recommendations.