 | |
| Formation | First time in 1834; (Current in 2022) |
|---|---|
| Type | Agency of Government of India |
| Legal status | Ad hoc, term based |
| Purpose | Law Reform in India |
| Headquarters | New Delhi |
| Location |
|
Membership | Chairman, 1 Permanent Member, 1 Member Secretary, 2 Part-time Members, 2 ex-officio members |
Chairman | Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi (22nd Law Commission) |
Full-time Member | Justice KT Shankaran, Prof. (Dr.) Anand Paliwal, Prof DP Verma |
Part-time Members | Prof Raka Arya, Adv. Karanuanithi |
| Website | www.lawcommissionofindia.nic.in |
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 composed 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 of 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-one more commissions have been established. The last chairman of the Law Commission was retired Supreme Court judge Justice B.S. Chauhan, who completed his tenure on 31 August 2018. Subsequently, the commission has not been reconstituted. In February 2020, the Government of India announced its intention to reconstitute the commission, and the Supreme Court of India is currently hearing a petition challenging the delay in appointing members to the 22nd Law Commission.[1] On November 7, 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.[2][3]
- ^ Correspondent, Legal (25 January 2021). "SC asks govt to spell out pause in Law Commission appointments". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
{{cite news}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ ANI (7 November 2022). "Centre appoints Justice Rituraj Awasthi as Chairperson, Law Commission of India". ThePrint. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
- ^ "Centre constitutes 22nd Law Commission: what role does this body play?". The Indian Express. 8 November 2022. Retrieved 8 November 2022.