Law Commission of India

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Last edited February 17, 2026


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The Law Commission of India is an executive body established by an order of the Government of India. The commission's function is to research and advise the government on legal reform, and is composition of legal experts, and headed by a retired judge. The commission is established for a fixed tenure and works as an advisory body to the Ministry of Law and Justice.

The first Law Commission was established during colonial rule in India by the East India Company under the Charter Act 1833 and was presided over by Lord Macaulay. After that, three more commissions were established in British India. The first Law Commission of independent India was established in 1955 for a three-year term. Since then, twenty-two more commissions have been established. On 7 November 2022, Justice Rituraj Awasthi (Former Chief Justice of the Karnataka HC) was appointed as the chairperson of the 22nd Law Commission and Justice KT Sankaran, Prof.(Dr.) Anand Paliwal, Prof. DP Verma, Prof. (Dr) Raka Arya and Shri M. Karunanithi as members of the commission.[1][2]

Evolution of Law Commission in India

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The origin of the first Law Commission of India lies in the diverse and often conflicting laws prevailing in the local regions and those administered by the East India Company, which was granted royal charters and also conferred powers by the various Indian rulers to administer and oversee the conduct of the inhabitants in the local areas where the company exercised control.[3] During this period of administration by the company, two sets of laws operated in the areas; one which applied to and in relation to British citizens and the second which applied to the local inhabitants and aliens. This was considered as a major stumbling block for proper administration by the British government during the times which is now known as the British Raj. In order to improve the law-and-order situation and also to ensure uniformity of legal administration, various options were looked for. Until then the British government had been passing various enactments to deal with particular situations, such as the Prohibition of Sati in (1829) by Lord William Bentinck under the influence of Raja Ram Mohan Roy. However, it was for the first time in (1833) that the idea to establish a Law Commission for a comprehensive examination of the existing legal system prevailing in the British administered areas and its overhaul was instituted.

Pre-Independence Law Commissions of India

The first Law Commission was established in 1834 by the British government under the chairmanship of Lord Macaulay.[4] It suggested various enactments to the British government, most of which were passed and enacted and are still in force in India. Few of the most important recommendations made by this first Law Commission were those on the Indian Penal Code (first submitted in 1837 but enacted in 1860 and still in force), Criminal Procedure Code (enacted in 1898, repealed and succeeded by the Criminal Procedure Code of 1973), etc. Thereafter three more Law Commissions were established which made a number of other recommendations the Indian Evidence Act (1872) and Indian Contract Act (1872), etc. being some of the significant ones. The contribution of these Law Commissions can be enumerated as under.

First Pre-Independence Law Commission Second Pre-Independence Law Commission Third Pre-Independence Law Commission Fourth Pre-Independence Law Commission
Established Template:Center Template:Center Template:Center Template:Center
Chairman Template:Center Template:Center Template:Center Template:Center
Members[5] (1) J.M. Macleod, (2) G.W. Anderson, and (3) F. Millet (1) Sir Lord Jervis, (2) Sir Edward Ryan, (3) R. Lowe, (4) J.M. Macleod, (5) C.H. Cameron, and (6) T.E. Ellis Initially (1) Sir Edward Ryan, (2) R. Lowe, (3) J.M. Macleod, (4) Sir W. Erle, and (5) Justice Wills. Subsequently, Sir W. Erle, and Justice Wills succeeded by Sir W.M. James and J. Henderson. Later J. Henderson replaced by Justice Lush. (1) Sir Charles Turner, and (2) Raymond West
Reports[5][6][7] Penal Code (2 May 1837) Code of Civil Procedure and Law of Limitation (1859) A code for Succession and Inheritance for Indians other than Hindus and Muslims (1865) Code of Negotiable Instruments (1881)
Lex Loci (role and authority of English law in India) (31 October 1840) Penal Code (1860) Draft Contract Law (1866) Code on Trusts Law (1882)
Template:Center Code of Criminal Procedure (1861) Draft Negotiable Instruments Law (1867) Code on Transfer of Property and Easements (1882)
Template:Center Template:Center Draft Evidence Law (1868) Revised Code of Criminal Procedure (1882)
Template:Center Template:Center Revision of Code of Criminal Procedure (1870) Revised Code of Civil Procedure (1882)
Template:Center Template:Center Draft Transfer of Property Law (1870) Template:Center
Template:Center Template:Center Draft Code on Insurance (1871) Template:Center

A two-member Viceroy's Executive Council (composed of Sir Henry Maine and Sir James Fitzjames Stephen) also worked on the side-lines of the Law Commissions and ensured the passage of the following noteworthy laws;[8]

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  • 1863 - Religious Endowments Act
  • 1864 - Official Trustees Act
  • 1865 - Carriers Act
  • 1865 - Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act
  • 1865 - Parsi Intestate Succession Act
  • 1866 - Indian Companies Act
  • 1866 - Native Converts Marriage Dissolution Act
  • 1866 – Trustees Act
  • 1866 – Trustees and Mortgage Powers Act
  • 1867 – Press and Registration of Books Act
  • 1868 – General Clauses Act
  • 1869 – Divorce Act
  • 1870 – Court Fees Act
  • 1870 – Land Acquisition Act
  • 1870 – Female Infanticide Act
  • 1870 – Female Infanticide Prevention Act
  • 1870 – Hindu Wills Act
  • 1872 – Code of Criminal Procedure (revised)
  • 1872 – Indian Contract Act
  • 1872 – Indian Evidence Act
  • 1872 – Special Marriages Act
  • 1872 – Punjab Laws Act

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Law Commissions in Independent India

The tradition of pursuing law reform through the medium of a law commission was continued in post-independent India. The first law commission in independent India was established in 1955 and since then twenty-two more law commissions have been established. Each of these commissions have been chaired by a prominent legal personality in India and has made a significant contribution to the legal diaspora of India. The contribution of each of these commissions has been enumerated below.

First Law Commission

The First Law Commission of independent India was established in 1955. The chairman of this commission was M. C. Setalvad, who was also the first attorney-general of India. The term of this commission was established as three years (which by convention has been followed till date) and this commission submitted its last report on 26 September 1958. The reports submitted by the First Law Commission of India are as under.[9]

Report no. Date of presentation Title of report
1 Template:Center Liability of the State in Tort
2 Template:Center Parliamentary Legislation relating to Sales Tax
3 Template:Center Limitation Act, 1908
4 Template:Center On the proposal that High Courts should sit in Benches at different places in a State
5 Template:Center British Statutes Applicable to India
6 Template:Center Registration Act, 1908
7 Template:Center Partnership Act, 1932
8 Template:Center Sale of Goods Act, 1930
9 Template:Center Specific Relief Act, 1877
10 Template:Center Law of Acquisition and Requisitioning of Law
11 Template:Center Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881
12 Template:Center Income Tax Act, 1922
13 Template:Center Contract Act, 1872
14 Template:Center Reform of Judicial Administration

Second Law Commission

The Second Law Commission was established in 1958 under the chairmanship of Justice T. V. Venkatarama Aiyar. It stayed in office till 1961.[10] It presented the following reports.[11]

Report no. Presented in Title of report
15 Template:Center Law relating to Marriage and Divorce amongst Christians in India
16 Template:Center Official Trustees Act, 1913
17 Template:Center Report on Trusts Act, 1882
18 Template:Center Converts' Marriage Dissolution Act, 1866
19 Template:Center The Administrator-General's Act, 1913
20 Template:Center The Law of Hire-Purchase
21 Template:Center Marine Insurance
22 Template:Center Christian Marriage and Matrimonial Causes Bill, 1961

Third Law Commission

The Third Law Commission was established in 1961 under the chairmanship of Justice J. L. Kapur. It stayed in office till 1964.[10] It presented the following reports.[12]

Report no. Presented in Title of report
23 Template:Center Law of Foreign Marriages
24 Template:Center The Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952
25 Template:Center Evidence of Officers about forged stamps, currency notes, etc. Section 509-A Cr.P.C. as proposed
26 Template:Center Insolvency Laws
27 Template:Center The Code of Civil Procedure, 1908
28 Template:Center The Indian Oaths Act, 1873

Fourth Law Commission

The Fourth Law Commission was established in 1964 and was again under the chairmanship of Justice J. L. Kapur. It stayed in office till 1968.[10] It presented the following reports.

Report no. Presented in Title of report
29 Template:Center Proposal to include certain Social and Economic Offences in the Indian Penal Code, 1860
30 Template:Center Section 5 of the Central Sales Tax Act, 1956, taxation by the States in the course of import
31 Template:Center Section 30(2) of the Indian Registration Act, 1908 – Extension to Delhi
32 Template:Center Section 9 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898
33 Template:Center Section 44 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898
34 Template:Center Indian Registration Act, 1908
35 Template:Center Capital Punishment
36 Template:Center Section 497, 498 and 499 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898
37 Template:Center The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898
38 Template:Center Indian Post Office Act, 1898

Fifth Law Commission

The Fifth Law Commission was established in 1968 under the chairmanship of K. V. K. Sundaram. It stayed in office till 1971.[10] It presented the following reports.

Report no. Presented in Title of report
39 Template:Center Punishment for imprisonment for life under the Indian Penal Code
40 Template:Center Law relating to attendance of Prisoners in Courts
41 Template:Center The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898
42 Template:Center Indian Penal Code
43 Template:Center Offences against the National Security
44 Template:Center The Appellate Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in Civil Matters

Sixth Law Commission

The Sixth Law Commission was established in 1971 under the chairmanship of Justice P. B. Gajendragadkar. It stayed in office till 1974.[10] It presented the following reports.

Report no. Presented in Title of report
45 Template:Center Civil Appeals to the Supreme Court on a Certificate of Fitness
46 Template:Center The Constitution (Twenty-Fifth Amendment) Bill, 1971
47 Template:Center The trial and punishment of Social and Economic Offences
48 Template:Center Some questions under the Code of Criminal Procedure Bill, 1970
49 Template:Center The proposal for inclusion of agricultural income in the total income
50 Template:Center The proposal to include persons connected with the Public examination within the definition of 'Public Servant'
51 Template:Center Compensation of injuries caused by automobiles in hit-and-run cases
52 Template:Center Estate duty on property acquired after death
53 Template:Center Effect of the Pensions Act, 1871 on the right to sue for pensions of retired members of public service
54 Template:Center The Code of Civil Procedure, 1908
55 Template:Center Rate of Interest after decree and interest on costs under Section 34 and 35 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908
56 Template:Center Statutory Provision as to the Notice of Suit other than Section 80, Civil Procedure Code, 1908
57 Template:Center Benami Transactions
58 Template:Center Stature and Jurisdiction of the Higher Judiciary
59 Template:Center Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 and Special Marriage Act, 1954
60 Template:Center The General Clauses Act, 1897
61 Template:Center Certain problems with the power of the States to levy a tax on the sale of goods

Seventh Law Commission

The Seventh Law Commission was established in 1974 again under the chairmanship of Justice P. B. Gajendragadkar. It stayed in office till 1977.[10] It presented the following reports.

Report no. Presented in Title of report
62 Template:Center Workmen's Compensation Act, 1923
63 Template:Center The Interest Act, 1839
64 Template:Center The Suppression of Immoral Traffic in Women and Girls Act, 1956
65 Template:Center Recognition of Foreign Divorces
66 Template:Center Married Women's Property Act, 1874
67 Template:Center The Indian Stamp Act, 1899
68 Template:Center The Power of Attorney Act, 1882
69 Template:Center The Indian Evidence Act, 1872
70 Template:Center The Transfer of Property Act, 1882

Eighth Law Commission

The Eighth Law Commission was established in 1977 under the chairmanship of Justice H. R. Khanna. It stayed in office till 1979.[10] It presented the following reports.

Report no. Presented in Title of report
71 Template:Center Irretrievable breakdown of marriage as a ground for divorce
72 Template:Center Restriction on practice after being a permanent judge
73 Template:Center Criminal liability for failure by husband to pay maintenance or permanent alimony granted to the wife
74 Template:Center Proposal to amend the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 so as to render Admissible certain statements made by witnesses before Commissions of Inquiry and other Statutory Authorities
75 Template:Center Disciplinary jurisdiction under the Advocates Act, 1961
76 Template:Center Arbitration Act, 1940
77 Template:Center Delay and arrears in trial courts
78 Template:Center Congestion of under trial persons in jails
79 Template:Center Delays and arrears in High Courts and other Appellate Courts
80 Template:Center Method of Appointment of Judges

Ninth Law Commission

The Ninth Law Commission was established in 1979 under the chairmanship of Justice P. V. Dixit. It stayed in office till 1980.[10] It presented the following reports.

Report no. Presented in Title of report
81 Template:Center Hindu Widows Remarriage Act, 1856
82 Template:Center Effect of nomination under Section 39, Insurance Act, 1938
83 Template:Center The Guardian and Wards Act, 1890
84 Template:Center Rape and allied offences-some questions of substantive law, procedure and evidence
85 Template:Center Claims for compensation under Chapter 8 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1939
86 Template:Center The Partition Act, 1893
87 Template:Center Identification of Prisoners Act, 1920

Tenth Law Commission

The Tenth Law Commission was established in 1981 under the chairmanship of Justice K. K. Mathew. It stayed in office till 1985.[10] It presented the following reports.

Report no. Presented in Title of report
88 Template:Center Governmental Privileges in Evidence
89 Template:Center The Limitation Act, 1963
90 Template:Center The Grounds for Divorce amongst Christians in India
91 Template:Center Dowry deaths and law reform
92 Template:Center Damages in applications for Judicial Review Recommendations for legislation
93 Template:Center Disclosures of sources of information by mass media
94 Template:Center Evidence obtained illegally or improperly
95 Template:Center Constitutional Division within Supreme Court
96 Template:Center Repeal of certain obsolete Central Acts
97 Template:Center Section 28 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872: prescriptive clauses in contracts
98 Template:Center Sections 24 to 26 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955
99 Template:Center Oral and written arguments in the Higher courts
100 Template:Center Litigation by and against the Government
101 Template:Center Freedom of Speech and Expression under Article 19 of the Constitution
102 Template:Center Section 122(1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
103 Template:Center Unfair Terms in contracts
104 Template:Center The Judicial Officers' Protection Act, 1850
105 Template:Center Quality control and inspection of consumer goods
106 Template:Center Section 103A, Motor Vehicles Act, 1939
107 Template:Center Law of Citizenship
108 Template:Center Promissory Estoppel
109 Template:Center Obscene and Indecent Advertisements and Displays
110 Template:Center Indian Succession Act, 1925
111 Template:Center Fatal Incidents Act, 1955
112 Template:Center Section 45 of the Insurance Act, 1938
113 Template:Center Injuries in Police Custody

Eleventh Law Commission

The Eleventh Law Commission was established in 1985 under the chairmanship of Justice D. A. Desai. It stayed in office till 1988.[10] It presented the following reports.

Report no. Presented in Title of report
114 Template:Center Gram Nyayalaya
115 Template:Center Tax Courts
116 Template:Center Formation of an All India Judicial Service
117 Template:Center Training of Judicial Officers
118 Template:Center Method of appointment to subordinate courts
119 Template:Center Access to Exclusive Forum for victims of motor accidents
120 Template:Center Manpower planning in Judiciary
121 Template:Center A new forum for Judicial Appointments
122 Template:Center Forum for National uniformity in Labour Adjudication
123 Template:Center Decentralization in Administration of Justice
124 Template:Center The High Court Arrears – A fresh look
125 Template:Center The Supreme Court – A fresh look
126 Template:Center Government and Public Sector Undertaking Litigation policy and Strategies
127 Template:Center Resource Allocation for Infra-Structural Services in Judicial Administration
128 Template:Center Cost of Litigation
129 Template:Center Urban Litigation – Mediation as alternative to Litigation
130 Template:Center Benami Transactions : A continuum
131 Template:Center Role of legal profession in Administration of Justice

Twelfth Law Commission

The Twelfth Law Commission was established in 1988 under the chairmanship of Justice Manharlal Pranlal Thakkar. It stayed in office till 1989.[10] It presented the following reports.

Report no. Presented in Title of report
132 Template:Center Need for Amendment of the Provisions of the Chapter IX of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 in order to ameliorate the hardship and mitigate the distress of Neglected Women, Children and Parents
133 Template:Center Removal of discrimination against Women in matters relating to Guardianship and Custody of Minor Children and Elaboration of the Welfare Principle
134 Template:Center Removing Deficiencies in certain provisions of the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1923
135 Template:Center Women in Custody
136 Template:Center Conflicts in High Court decisions on Central Laws – How to foreclose and how to resolve
137 Template:Center Need for creating office of Ombudsman
138 Template:Center Legislative Protection for Slum and Pavement Dwellers
139 Template:Center Urgent need to amend Order XXI, Rule 92(2), Civil Procedure Code, 1908
140 Template:Center Need to amend Order V, Rule 19A of the Civil Procedure Code, 1908
141 Template:Center Need for amending the laws as regards power of courts to resolve criminal revisional applications and criminal cases dismissed for default in appearance
142 Template:Center Confessional treatment for offenders who on their own initiative choose to plead guilty without any bargaining
143 Template:Center Legislative safeguards for protecting the small depositors from exploitation

Thirteenth Law Commission

The Thirteenth Law Commission was established in 1991 under the chairmanship of Justice K. N. Singh. It stayed in office till 1994.[10] It presented the following reports.[13]

Report no. Presented in Title of report
144 Template:Center Conflicting Judicial decisions pertaining to the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908
145 Template:Center Article 12 of the Constitution and Public Sector Undertakings
146 Template:Center Sale of Women and Children: Proposed Section 373-A, Indian Penal Code
147 Template:Center The Specific Relief Act, 1963
148 Template:Center Repeal of Certain pre-1947 Central Acts
149 Template:Center Removal of certain deficiencies in the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (Act No. 59 of 1988)
150 Template:Center Suggesting some Amendments to the Code of Civil Procedure (Act No. V of 1908)
151 Template:Center Admiralty Jurisdiction
152 Template:Center Custodial Crimes
153 Template:Center Inter-Country Adoption

Fourteenth Law Commission

The Fourteenth Law Commission was established in 1995 under the chairmanship of Justice K. Jayachandra Reddy. It stayed in office till 1997.[10] It presented the following reports.[14]

Report no. Date of presentation Title of report
154 Template:Center The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (Act No. 2 of 1974)
155 Template:Center The Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985(Act No. 61 of 1985)
156 Template:Center The Indian Penal Code

Fifteenth Law Commission

The Fifteenth Law Commission was established in 1997 under the chairmanship of Justice B. P. Jeevan Reddy. It stayed in office till 2000.[10] It presented the following reports.[15]

Report no. Presented in Title of report
157 Template:Center Section 52:Transfer of Property Act, 1882 and its Amendment
158 Template:Center The Amendment of the Industries (Development and Regulation) Act, 1951
159 Template:Center Repeal and Amendment of Laws: Part I
160 Template:Center Amendment to the All India Council for Technical Education Act, 1987 (Act No. 52 of 1987)
161 Template:Center Central Vigilance Commission and Allied Bodies
162 Template:Center Review of functioning of Central Administrative Tribunal, Customs, Excise and Gold (Control) Appellate Tribunal and Income-Tax Appellate Tribunal
163 Template:Center The Code of Civil Procedure (Amendment) Bill, 1997
164 Template:Center The Indian Divorce Act, 1869 (Act IV of 1869)
165 Template:Center Free and Compulsory Education for Children
166 Template:Center The Corrupt Public Servants (forfeiture of property) Bill
167 Template:Center The Patents (Amendment) Bill, 1998
168 Template:Center The Hire-Purchase Act, 1972
169 Template:Center Amendment of Army, Navy and Air Force Act
170 Template:Center Reform of Electoral Laws
171 Template:Center The Biodiversity Bill, 2000
172 Template:Center Review of Rape Laws
173 Template:Center Prevention of Terrorism Bill, 2000
174 Template:Center Property Rights of Women: Proposed Reforms Under the Hindu Law

Sixteenth Law Commission

The Sixteenth Law Commission was established in 2000. For the period till 2001 Justice B. P. Jeevan Reddy continued as the chairman of the commission while in the period between 2002 and 2003 the commission worked under the chairmanship of Justice M. Jagannadha Rao.[10] It presented the following reports.[16]

Report no. Presented in Title of report
175 Template:Center The Foreigners (Amendment) Bill, 2000
176 Template:Center The Arbitration and conciliation (Amendment) Bill, 2002
177 Template:Center Law Relating to Arrest
178 Template:Center Recommendations for amending various enactments, both civil and criminal
179 Template:Center Public Interest Disclosure and Protection of Informers
180 Template:Center Article 20 (3) of the Constitution of India and Right to Silence
181 Template:Center Amendment to Section 106 of the Transfer of Property Act, 1882
182 Template:Center Amendment of Section 6 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894
183 Template:Center A Continuum on the General Clauses Act, 1897 with special reference to the admissibility and codification of external aids to interpretation of statutes
184 Template:Center Legal Education & Professional Training and Proposals for amendments to the Advocates Act, 1961 and the University Grants Commission Act, 1956
185 Template:Center Review of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872

Seventeenth Law Commission

The Seventeenth Law Commission was established in 2003 and continued to be under the chairmanship of Justice M. Jagannadha Rao. It stayed in office till 2006.[10] It presented the following reports.[17]

Report no. Presented in Title of report
186 Template:Center Proposal to Constitute Environment Courts
187 Template:Center Mode of Execution of Death Sentence and Incidental Matters
188 Template:Center The Proposals for Constitution of Hi-Tech Fast – Track Commercial Divisions in High Courts
189 Template:Center Revision of Court Fees Structure
190 Template:Center The Revision of the Insurance Act, 1938 and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 1999
191 Template:Center Regulation of Funds collected for Calamity Relief.
192 Template:Center Prevention of vexatious Litigation
193 Template:Center Transnational Litigation, Conflict of Laws, Law of Limitation
194 Template:Center Verification of Stamp Duties and Registration of Arbitral Awards
195 Template:Center The Judges (Inquiry) Bill, 2005
196 Template:Center Medical Treatment to Terminally Ill Patients (Protection of Patients and Medical Practitioners)
197 Template:Center Public Prosecutor's Appointments
198 Template:Center Witness Identity Protection and Witness Protection Programmes
199 Template:Center Unfair (Procedural and Substantive) Terms in Contracts
200 Template:Center Trial by Media : Free Speech Vs. Fair Trial Under Criminal Procedure (Amendments to the Contempt of Court Act, 1971)
201 Template:Center Medical Treatment after Accidents and During Emergency Medical Condition and Women in Labour

Eighteenth Law Commission

The Eighteenth Law Commission of India was established on 1 September 2006 and continued till 31 August 2009. Justice M. Jagannadha Rao continued to serve as the chairman of the commission until 28 May 2007 on which date Justice A. R. Lakshmanan was appointed as the chairman of the commission. It presented the following reports.

Report no. Date of presentation Title of report
202 Template:Center Proposal to Amend Section 304-B of the Indian Penal Code
203 Template:Center Section 438 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 as Amended by the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Act, 2005 (Anticipatory Bail)
204 Template:Center Proposal to Amend the Hindu Succession Act, 1956 as amended by Act 39 of 2005
205 Template:Center Proposal to Amend the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 and other allied Laws
206 Template:Center Proposal for enactment of new Coroners Act applicable to the whole of India
207 Template:Center Proposal to amend Section 15 of the Hindu Succession Act, 1956 in case a female dies intestate leaving herself acquired property with no heirs
208 Template:Center Proposal for the amendment of explanation to Section 6 of the Hindu Succession Act, 1956 to include oral partition and family arrangement on the definition of 'partition'
209 Template:Center Proposal for the omission of Section 213 from the Indian Succession Act, 1925
210 Template:Center Humanization and Decriminalization of Attempt to Suicide
211 Template:Center Laws on Registration of Marriages and Divorce – A proposal for Consolidation and Reform
212 Template:Center Laws of Civil Marriage in India – A proposal to Resolve Certain Conflicts
213 Template:Center Fast Track Magisterial Courts for Dishonoured Cheque Cases
214 Template:Center Proposal for reconsideration of Judges Case I, II and III – S P Gupta Vs, UOI
215 Template:Center L. Chandra Kumar be revisited by Larger Bench of Supreme Court
216 Template:Center Non-Feasibility of introduction of Hindi as compulsory language in the Supreme Court of India
217 Template:Center Irretrievable Breakdown of Marriage – Another Ground for Divorce
218 Template:Center Need to accede to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (1980)
219 Template:Center Need for Family Law Legislations for Non-resident Indians
220 Template:Center Need to fix Maximum Chargeable Court-fees in Subordinate Civil Courts
221 Template:Center Need for Speedy Justice – Some Suggestions
222 Template:Center Need for Justice-dispensation through ADR etc.
223 Template:Center Need for Ameliorating the lot of the Have-nots – Supreme Court's judgments
224 Template:Center Amendment of Section 2 of the Divorce Act 1869 Enabling Non-domiciled Estranged Christian Wives to seek Divorce.
225 Template:Center Amendment of Sections 7, 7A, and 7B of Industrial Disputes Act 1947 Making Advocates Eligible to man Labour Courts and Industrial Tribunals.

2009

226 Template:Center The Inclusion of Acid Attacks as Specific Offences in the Indian Penal Code and a Law for Compensation for Victims of Crime.
227 Template:Center Preventing Bigamy via Conversion to Islam – A Proposal for giving Statutory Effect to Supreme Court Rulings
228 Template:Center Need For Legislation to Regulate Assisted Reproductive Technology Clinics as Well as Rights and Obligations of Parties to a Surrogacy
229 Template:Center Need for division of the Supreme Court into a Constitution Bench at Delhi and Cassation Benches in four regions at Delhi, Chennai/ Hyderabad, Kolkata and Mumbai
230 Template:Center Reforms in the Judiciary – Some suggestions
231 Template:Center Amendments in Indian Stamp Act 1899 And Court-Fees Act 1870 Permitting Different Modes of Payment
232 Template:Center Retirement Age of chairpersons and Members of Tribunals – Need for Uniformity
233 Template:Center Amendment of Code of Criminal Procedure Enabling Restoration of Complaints
234 Template:Center Legal Reforms to Combat Road Accidents

Nineteenth Law Commission

The nineteenth Law Commission of India's chairman was Justice P. V. Reddi, 2009–2012.[18]

Report no. Presented in Title of report
235 Template:Center Conversion/reconversion to another religion – mode of proof
236 Template:Center Court-fees in Supreme Court vis-à-vis Corporate Litigation
237 Template:Center Compounding of (IPC) offences
238 Template:Center Amendment of Section 89 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 and Allied provisions
239 Template:Center Expeditious Investigation and Trial of Criminal Cases Against 2012 Influential Public Personalities
240 Template:Center Costs in Civil Litigation
241 Template:Center Passive Euthanasia – A Relook
242 Template:Center Prevention of Interference with the freedom of Matrimonial Alliances 2012 (in the name of Honour and Tradition ) : A suggested legal framework
243 Template:Center Section 498 A, IPC

Twentieth Law Commission

The Twentieth Law Commission of India's chairman were Justice D. K. Jain from January 2013 to October 2013 and Justice A. P. Shah from November 2013 to August 2015.[19] The Terms of Reference of the Twentieth Law Commission were as follows:- A. Review/Repeal of obsolete laws: (i) Identify laws which are no longer needed or relevant and can be immediately repealed. (ii) Identify laws which are not in harmony with the existing climate of economic liberalization and need change. (iii) Identify laws which otherwise require changes or amendments and to make suggestions for their amendment. (iv) Consider in a wider perspective the suggestions for revision/amendment given by Expert Groups in various Ministries/Departments with a view to coordinating and harmonising them. (v) Consider references made to it by Ministries/ Departments in respect of legislation having bearing on the working of more than one Ministry/ Department. (vi) Suggest suitable measures for quick redressal of citizens grievances, in the field of law. B. Law and Poverty (i) Examine the Laws which affect the poor and carry out post-audit for socio-economic legislations. (ii) Take all such measures as may be necessary to harness law and the legal process in the service of the poor. C. Keep under review the system of judicial administration to ensure that it is responsive to the reasonable demands of the times and in particular to secure: (i) elimination of delays, speedy clearance of arrears and reduction in costs so as to secure quick and economical disposal of cases without affecting the cardinal principle that decisions should be just and fair. (ii) simplification of procedure to reduce and eliminate technicalities and devices for delay so that it operates not as an end in itself but as a means of achieving justice. (iii) improvement of standards of all concerned with the administration of justice. D. Examine the existing laws in the light of Directive Principles of State Policy and to suggest ways of improvement and reform and also to suggest such legislations as might be necessary to implement the Directive Principles and to attain the objectives set out in the Preamble to the Constitution. E. Examine the existing laws with a view for promoting gender equality and suggesting amendments thereto. F. Revise the Central Acts of general importance so as to simplify them and to remove anomalies, ambiguities and inequities. G. Recommend to the Government measure for making the statute book up to date by repealing obsolete laws and enactments or parts thereof which have outlived their utility. H. Consider and to convey 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). I. Consider 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). J. Examine the impact of globalization on food security, unemployment and recommend measures for the protection of the interests of the marginalized.

Report no. Presented in Title of report
244 Template:Center Electoral Disqualifications
245 Template:Center Arrears and Backlog: Creating Additional Judicial (wo)manpower
246 Template:Center Amendments to the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996
247 Template:Center Sections 41 to 48 of the Indian Succession Act, 1925 – Proposed Reforms
248 Template:Center Obsolete Laws: Warranting Immediate Repeal (Interim Report)
249 Template:Center Obsolete Laws: Warranting Immediate Repeal (Second Interim Report)
250 Template:Center Obsolete Laws: Warranting Immediate Repeal (Third Interim Report)
251 Template:Center Obsolete Laws: Warranting Immediate Repeal (Fourth Interim Report)
252 Template:Center Right of the Hindu Wife to Maintenance: A relook at Section 18 of the Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act, 1956
253 Template:Center Commercial Division and Commercial Appellate Division of High Courts and Commercial Courts Bill, 2015
254 Template:Center The Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2013
255 Template:Center Electoral Reforms
256 Template:Center Eliminating Discrimination Against Persons Affected by Leprosy
257 Template:Center Reforms in Guardianship and Custody Laws in India
258 Template:Center Prevention of Bribery of Foreign Public Officials and Officials of Public International Organisations – A Study and Proposed Amendments
259 Template:Center Early Childhood Development and Legal Entitlement
260 Template:Center Analysis of the 2015 Draft Model Indian Bilateral Investment Treaty
261 Template:Center Need to Regulate Pet Shops and Dog and Aquarium Fish Breeding
262 Template:Center The Death Penalty

Twenty-First Law Commission

In 2015, the Law Ministry had forwarded a list of 48 former judges of high courts and Supreme Court to the Prime Minister's Office to select the next Law Commission chairperson. The term of the 20th Law Commission ended on 30 August last year and the Union Cabinet approved creation of the 21st Law Commission on 9 September. The Law Ministry brought out a notification to create the 21st law panel on 14 September last.

One of the key issues pending before the law panel is a call on amending the Indian Penal Code amid allegations of abuse and arbitrary use of the law. The Law Ministry had urged the commission to study the usage of the provisions of Section 124A (Sedition) of the IPC.

Former Supreme Court judge Balbir Singh Chauhan was appointed chairman of the 21st Law Commission. Justice Ravi R. Tripathi, retired judge of the Gujarat High Court was appointed as Full-time Member.[20]

On 10 June 2016, Satya Pal Jain, Additional Solicitor General of India, was appointed as part-time member of the commission.[21]

Report no. Presented in Title of report
263 Template:Center The Protection of Children (Inter-Country Removal and Retention) Bill
264 Template:Center The Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill (Provisions dealing with Food Adulteration)
265 Template:Center Prospects of Exempting Income arising out of Maintenance Money of 'Minor'
266 Template:Center The Advocates Act, 1961 (Regulation of Legal Profession)
267 Template:Center Hate Speech
268 Template:Center Amendments to Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 – Provisions Relating to Bail
269 Template:Center House-keeping of egg laying hens
270 Template:Center Compulsory Registration of Marriages
271 Template:Center Human DNA Profiling
272 Template:Center Assessment of Statutory Framework of Tribunals in India
273 Template:Center Implementation of United Nations Convention Against Torture
274 Template:Center Review of Contempt of Courts Act, 1971
275 Template:Center Legal Framework: BCCI vis-à-vis Right to Information Act, 2005
276 Template:Center Legal Framework: Gambling and Sports Betting Including Cricket in India
277 Template:Center Wrongful Prosecution (Miscarriage of Justice): Legal Remedies

Twenty-Second Law Commission

The Twenty-Second Law Commission was constituted for a period of three years on 21 February 2020 and its chairperson, Justice Rituraj Awasthi (retd), assumed office on 9 November 2022.

The Commission’s three year term was to end on 20 February 2023, but the Union Cabinet extended its term up to 31 August 2024.[22]

Report no. Presented in Title of report
278 Template:Center Urgent Need to Amend Rule 14(4) of Order VII of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908
279 Template:Center Usage of the Law of Sedition
280 Template:Center The Law on Adverse Possession
281 Template:Center Compensation for Damage Due to Installation of Towers and Transmission Lines Under The Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 and the Electricity Act, 2003
282 Template:Center Amendment in Section 154 of The Code of Criminal procedure, 1973 for enabling online Registration of FIR
283 Template:Center Age of Consent Under The Protection of children From Sexual Offences Act, 2012
284 Template:Center Revisiting the Law on Prevention of Damage to Public Property
285 Template:Center The Law on criminal Defamation
286 Template:Center A Comprehensive Review of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897
287 Template:Center Law on Matrimonial Issues relating to Non-Resident Indians and Overseas Citizens of India
288 Template:Center
289 Template:Center Trade Secrets and Economic Espionage

Twenty-Third Law Commission

The Twenty-Third Law Commission was constituted for a period of three years on 31 August 2024 up to 31 August 2027.[23] Its chairman and members were published in the Gazette on 15 April 2025. Justice (Retd.) Dinesh Maheshwar was appointed as its full-time Chairperson. And Prof. D P Verm and Hitesh Jain as s full-time Members.[24]

Working of the Law Commission

The Law Commission works in close co-ordination and under the general instruction of Ministry of Law and Justice. It generally acts as the initiation point for law reform in the country. Internally, the Law Commission works in a research-oriented manner. Employing a number of research analysts (and even law students from 2007[25]), the commission works upon the assigned agenda and primarily comes up with research based reports, often conclusive and with recommendations. The permanent members of the commission generally are responsible for framing the exact topic and reference to work upon and often takes the services of eminent law experts and jurists who are familiar with the matter under review. These experts may either work part-time with the commission or may have been requested to contribute to specific reports or issues under review.

According to the commission's website, the commission's regular staff consists of about a dozen research personnel of different ranks and varied experiences with a small group of secretarial staff looks after the administration side of the commission's operations[26] and the internal functioning of the commission can be described as a process with the following stages;

  • Initiation of projects at the commission's meetings;
  • Discussion of priorities; identification of topics and assignment of preparatory work to Members;
  • Adoption of methodologies for collection of data and research;
  • Outlining of problems and determination of areas for reform;
  • Consultations with public, professional bodies and academic institutions;
  • Evaluation of responses and preparation of draft of report;
  • Discussion and scrutiny of report, leading to its finalization; and
  • Forwarding of report to the Ministry of Law and Justice.[26]

Once the report is submitted to the Ministry of Law and Justice, the task of the commission ends unless it is required to rework upon identified areas of provide clarifications by the government on the report submitted. Upon receipt of the report, it is the responsible for follow-up action on the recommendations made by the commission in the report. Generally, the Ministry of Law and Justice forwards the report with its remarks to other relevant ministries in the government and seeks from them their opinion on the relevance of the recommendation and finalizes with them the manner of implementation of these recommendations. When the proposals are cleared by the various ministries and approved by the Cabinet, the Ministry of Law and Justice goes for drafting of the implementing legislation or follows the draft submitted by the Law Commission (which usually is the case) and presents the same for approval before the Parliament.

The Law Commission of India, though an ad hoc body, has been key to law reform in India.[27] Its role has been both advisory and critical of the government's policies.Template:Citation needed The Supreme Court of India and academia have recognized the commission as pioneering and prospective.Template:Citation needed In a number of decisions, the Supreme Court has referred to the work done by the commission and followed its recommendations.Template:Citation needed The fact that the chairman of the commission is generally a retired judge of the Supreme Court has helped the prominence of the commission.Template:Citation neededTemplate:Blockquote

The recommendations of the commission are not binding on the government. "They are recommendations. They may be accepted or rejected. Action on the said recommendations depends on the ministries/departments, which are concerned with the subject matter of the recommendations."[28] This has resulted in a number of important and critical recommendations not being implemented. The commission, however, has continued to work upon its assigned tasks.

The power vested in the commission to suo motu take up matters for discussion and submit recommendations has also worked well to the advantage of India's legal system.Template:Citation needed The history of the commission is replete with such recommendations which have been made in the wake of the hour and where the law has needed change.Template:Citation needed Further, the commission has been often returned to review its earlier reports in the wake of changed scenarios and the aptness of law in such situations.Template:Citation needed Euthanasia and related issues, in particular, has been one such area where the commission has been relook the situation at least three times, with the latest being its 196th report on the topic.Template:Citation needed

Besides the Law Ministry, the commission has also been requested to work upon specific issues and submit its views by the Supreme Court on various occasions. The latest in regard has been the 205th report of the commission which has been prepared in view of the Supreme Court's request for assistance in determination of "certain legal issues relating to child marriage, and the different ages at which a person is defined as a child in different laws." The report stirred a public debate in India for recommending inter alia, a reduction in marriage age of boys to be at par with girls at 18, instead of the long continuing 21 and 18 respectively.

With all its past and present works being continuously provided on the internet, the commission has also provided a firm assistance to legal research in the country.Template:Citation needed The fact that a number of its reports have been taken receptively by the various ministries and have been worked upon to change the legal scenario, is itself a sufficient indicator of the role of the commission in furtherance of law reform in India.Template:Citation needed

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Centre appoints Justice Rituraj Awasthi as Chairperson, Law Commission of India, ANI. ThePrint(2022-11-07). Retrieved 2022-11-08.
  2. ↑ Centre constitutes 22nd Law Commission: what role does this body play?. The Indian Express(2022-11-08). Retrieved 2022-11-08.
  3. ↑ Outlines of Indian Legal History{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. N.M. Tripathi(1984)
  4. ↑ Early beginnings. lawcommissionofindia.nic.in. Retrieved 2008-06-05.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named eugen
  6. ↑ Readings in the constitutional history of India, 1757–1947{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Oxford(1983). ISBN 0-19-561264-7
  7. ↑ Studies in history and jurisprudence: Volume 1{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Adamant Media Corporation(April 2002). ISBN 1-4021-9046-8
  8. ↑ The history of British India: a chronology{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Praeger(2006). ISBN 0-313-32280-5
  9. ↑ First Law Commission. lawcommissionofindia.nic.in. Retrieved 2023-01-09.
  10. ↑ 10.00 10.01 10.02 10.03 10.04 10.05 10.06 10.07 10.08 10.09 10.10 10.11 10.12 10.13 10.14 10.15 Law Commissions of India. lawcommissionofindia.nic.in. Retrieved 2008-06-05.
  11. ↑ Second Law Commission Reports. lawcommissionofindia.nic.in. Retrieved 2008-06-05.
  12. ↑ Third Law Commission Reports. lawcommissionofindia.nic.in. Retrieved 2008-06-05.
  13. ↑ Thirteenth Law Commission Reports. lawcommissionofindia.nic.in. Retrieved 2008-06-08.
  14. ↑ Fourteenth Law Commission Reports. lawcommissionofindia.nic.in. Retrieved 2008-06-08.
  15. ↑ Fifteenth Law Commission Reports. lawcommissionofindia.nic.in. Retrieved 2008-06-08.
  16. ↑ Sixteenth Law Commission Reports. lawcommissionofindia.nic.in. Retrieved 2008-06-08.
  17. ↑ Seventeenth Law Commission Reports. lawcommissionofindia.nic.in. Retrieved 2008-06-08.
  18. ↑ Hindustantimes.com Template:Webarchive
  19. ↑ Three Years of Landmark Reforms; An account of Justice AP Shah's Career as Chairman Law Commission of India [Sept 2012– August 2015]. Live Law(7 September 2015). Retrieved 16 August 2017.
  20. ↑ Archived copy. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
  21. ↑ Biography – Satya Pal Jain | Additional Solicitor General of India, Ex-MP (Lok Sabha), Ex-Member – Law Commission of India, Senior Advocate(8 May 2021).
  22. ↑ Cabinet approves the extension of the term of the Twenty-second Law Commission of India upto 31st August, 2024(22 February 2023).
  23. ↑ Govt sets up 23rd Law Commission for legal reforms. The Indian Express(2024-09-03). Retrieved 2024-09-05.
  24. ↑ Gazette_Notification : Appointment of Hon'ble Chairperson and Members of 23rd Law Commission of India | Law Commission of India | India. Retrieved 2025-07-29.
  25. ↑ Student Internships at Law Commission. lawcommissionofindia.nic.in. Retrieved 2008-06-05.
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 How does the Commission function?. lawcommissionofindia.nic.in. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
  27. ↑ Rarely seen or heard, Law Commission's work has a great impact. Press Information Bureau (India). Retrieved 2008-06-05.
  28. ↑ Crores spent, yet obsolete laws live. Rediff India Abroad(23 June 2008). Retrieved 7 May 2013.

References

  1. Outlines of Indian Legal History{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. N.M. Tripathi(1984) ASIN : B0000CQY04
  2. The legal history of India, 1600–1990{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Uppal Pub. House(1993). ISBN 81-85565-21-X
  3. Readings in the constitutional history of India, 1757-1947{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Oxford(1983). ISBN 0-19-561264-7
  4. Codification in the British Empire And America{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Lawbook Exchange(2005). ISBN 978-1-58477-620-8
  5. The history of British India: a chronology{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Praeger(2006). ISBN 0-313-32280-5
  6. Studies in history and jurisprudence: Volume 1{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Adamant Media Corporation(April 2002). ISBN 1-4021-9046-8
  7. Handbuch der Orientalistik (History of Indian Law (Dharmasastra)){{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Brill(1973). ISBN 90-04-03740-3

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