EARLY BEGINNINGS:

Law Reform has been a continuing process particularly during the last 300 years or
more in Indian history. In the ancient period, when religious and customary law
occupied the field, reform process had been ad hoc and not institutionalised through
duly constituted law reform agencies. However, since the third decade of the
nineteenth century, Law Commissions were constituted by the Government from time
to time and were empowered to recommend legislative reforms with a view to clarify,
consolidate and codify particular branches of law where the Government felt the
necessity for it. The first such Commission was established in 1834 under the Charter
Act of 1833 under the Chairmanship of Lord Macaulay which recommended
codification of the Penal Code, the Criminal Procedure Code and a few other matters.
Thereafter, the second, third and fourth Law Commissions were constituted in 1853,
1861 and 1879 respectively which, during a span of fifty years contributed a great
deal to enrich the Indian Statute Book with a large variety of legislations on the
pattern of the then prevailing English Laws adapted to Indian conditions. The Indian
Code of Civil Procedure, the Indian Contract Act, the Indian Evidence Act, the
Transfer of Property Act. etc. are products of the labour of the first four Law
Commissions.

POST-INDEPENDENCE DEVELOPMENTS:

After independence, the Constitution of India with its Fundamental Rights and
Directive Principles of State Policy gave a new direction to law reform geared to the
needs of a democratic legal order in a plural society. Though the Constitution
stipulated the continuation of pre-Constitution Laws (Article 372) till they are
amended or repealed, there had been demands in Parliament and outside for
establishing a Central Law Commission to recommend revision and updating of the
inherited laws to serve the changing needs of the country. The Government of India
reacted favourably and established the First Law Commission of Independent India in
1955 with the then Attorney-General of India, Mr. M. C. Setalvad, as its Chairman.
Since then twenty one more Law Commissions have been appointed, each with a
three-year term and with different terms of reference. The names of Chairman who
presided over these Commissions are given below:-

First Law Commission 1955-58 Mr. M. C. Setalvad

Former Attorney G
Second Law Commission 1958-61 Mr. Justice T. V. V
Third Law Commission 1961-64 Mr. Justice J. L. K
Fourth Law Commission 1964-68 Mr. Justice J. L. K
Fifth Law Commission 1968-71 Mr. K. V. K. Sunda
Sixth Law Commission 1971-74 Mr. Justice Dr. P.
Seventh Law Commission 1974-77 Mr. Justice Dr. P.
Eighth Law Commission 1977-79 Mr. Justice H. R.
Ninth Law Commission 1979-80 Mr. Justice P. V. D
Tenth Law Commission 1981-85 Mr. Justice K. K. M
Eleventh Law Commission 1985-88 Mr. Justice D. A. D
Twelfth Law Commission 1988-91 Mr. Justice M. P.
Thirteenth Law Commission 1991-94 Mr. Justice K. N. S
Fourteenth Law Commission 1995-97 Mr. Justice K Jaya
Fifteenth Law Commission 1997-2000 Mr. Justice B. P. J
Sixteenth Law Commission 2000-2001 Mr. Justice B. P. J
2002-2003 Mr. Justice M. Jag
Seventeenth Law Commission 2003-2006 Mr. Justice M. Jag
Eighteenth Law Commission 2006-2009 Dr. Justice AR Lak
Nineteenth Law Commission 2009-2012 Mr. Justice P. V. R
Twentieth Law Commission 2012-2013 Mr. Justice D. K. J
2013-2015 Mr. Justice A. P. S

REPORTS SUBMITTED BY FIRST LAW COMMISSION

No. of Subject Date of

the Presentation
Report

1. Liability of the State in Tort. 11. 5. 1956

2. Parliamentary Legislation relating to 2. 7. 1956

Sales Tax.

3. Limitation Act, 1908 21. 7. 56

4. On the proposal that High Courts should 1. 8. 56

sit in Benches at different places in a State

5. British Statutes Applicable to India. 11. 5. 57

6. Registration Act, 1908 13. 7. 57

7. Partnership Act, 1932 13. 7. 57

8. Sale of Goods Act, 1930 1. 3. 58

9. Specific Relief Act, 1877 19. 7. 58

10 Law of Acquisition and Requisitioning of 26. 9. 58

Land.

11 Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 26. 9. 58

12 Income-Tax Act, 1922 26. 9. 58

13 Contract Act, 1872 26. 9. 58

14 Reform of Judicial Administration 16. 9. 58

The List of reports the earlier Law Commissions including present Law Commission
have forwarded to the Government during the past four decades is given at the end of
this monograph.

THE TWENTY-FIRST LAW COMMISSION

The Twenty-first Law Commission was constituted through a Government Order with effect from 1st
September, 2015. It has a three-year term, ending on 31st August, 2018. The Commission presently
comprises of the following:-

Dr. Justice Balbir Singh Chauhan

Mr. Justice Ravi R. Tripathi

Shri Suresh Chandra, Law Secretary

Dr. G. Narayana Raju, Secretary (Legislative)
Dr. (Smt.) Pawan Sharma Secretary

The Commission is empowered to have five part-time Members depending

upon the need and on the Approval of the Government. The Terms of
Reference of the Twenty-first Law Commission are 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
harmonizing them.

v. Consider references made to it by Ministries/Departments

through the Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Law and
Justice in respect of legislations 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
decision 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 and 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.

FOLLOW-UP

The Reports of the Law Commission are considered by the Ministry of Law in
consultation with the concerned administrative Ministries and are submitted to
Parliament from time to time. They are cited in Courts, in academic and public
discourses and are acted upon by concerned Government Departments depending
on the Government's recommendations.

The Law Commission of India has forwarded 262 Reports so far on different
subjects.

HOW DOES THE COMMISSION FUNCTION

The Commission's regular staff consists of about a dozen research personnel of

different ranks and varied experiences. A small group of secretarial staff looks
after the administration side of the Commission's operations.

Basically the projects undertaken by the Commission are initiated in the

Commission's meetings which take place frequently. Priorities are discussed,
topics are identified and preparatory work is assigned to each member of the
Commission. Depending upon the nature and scope of the topic, different
methodologies for collection of data and research are adopted keeping the
scope of the proposal for reform in mind.

Discussion at Commission meetings during this period helps not only in

articulating the issues and focussing the research, but also evolving a consensus
among members of the Commission. What emerges out of this preparatory
work in the Commission is usually a working paper outlining the problem and
suggesting matters deserving reform. The paper is then sent out for circulation
in the public and concerned interest groups with a view to eliciting reactions
and suggestions. Usually a carefully prepared questionnaire is also sent with the
document.
The Law Commission has been anxious to ensure that the widest section of
people are consulted in formulating proposals for law reforms. In this process,
partnerships are established with professional bodies and academic institutions.
Seminars and workshops are organised in different parts of the country to elicit
critical opinion on proposed strategies for reform.

Once the data and informed views are assembled, the Commission's staff
evaluates them and organises the information for appropriate introduction in the
report which is written either by the Member-Secretary or one of the Members
or the Chairman of the Commission. It is then subjected to close scrutiny by the
full Commission in prolonged meetings. Once the Report and summary
are finalised, the Commission may decide to prepare a draft amendment or a
new bill which may be appended to its report. Thereafter, the final report is
forwarded to the Government.

It is obvious that the success of the Commission's work in law reforms is

dependent upon its capacity to assemble the widest possible inputs from the
public and concerned interest groups. The Commission is constantly on
the look out for strategies to accomplish this goal within the limited resources
available to it. In this regard the media plays an important role which the
Commission proposes to tap more frequently than before.

The Commission welcomes suggestions from any person, institution

or organisation on the issues under consideration of the Commission, which
may be sent to the Member-Secretary.

LAW COMMISSION OF INDIA

LIST OF REPORTS FORWARDED (1955-2015)

FIRST LAW COMMISSION

SECOND LAW COMMISSION

THIRD LAW COMMISSION

FOURTH LAW COMMISSION

FIFTH LAW COMMISSION

SIXTH LAW COMMISSION

SEVENTH LAW COMMISSION

EIGHTH LAW COMMISSION

NINTH LAW COMMISSION

TENTH LAW COMMISSION

ELEVENTH LAW COMMISSION

TWELFTH LAW COMMISSION

THIRTEENTH LAW COMMISSION

FOURTEENTH LAW COMMISSION

FIFTEENTH LAW COMMISSION

SIXTEENTH LAW COMMISSION

SEVENTEENTH LAW COMMISSION

EIGHTEENTH LAW COMMISSION

NINETEENTH LAW COMMISSION

TWENTIETH LAW COMMISSION

First Law Commission

(Chairman Mr. M. C. Setalvad 1955-1958)

No. of Subject Year of

the submission
Report

1. Liability of the State in Torts. 1956

2. Parliamentary Legislation relating to Sales Tax. 1956

3. Limitation Act, 1908 1956

4. On the proposal that High Courts should sit in Benches at 1956

different places in a State.

5. British Statutes applicable to India. 1957

6. Registration Act, 1908 1957

7. Partnership Act, 1932 1957

8. Sale of Goods Act, 1930 1958

9. Specific Relief Act, 1877 1958

10. Law of Acquisition and Requisitioning of Land. 1958

11. Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 1958

12. Income Tax Act, 1922 1958

13. Contract Act, 1872 1958

14. Reform of Judicial Administration. 1958

BACK TO LAW COMMISSION

Second Law Commission

(Chairman Mr. Justice T. L. Venkatrama Aiyar 1958-1961)

15. Law relating to Marriage and Divorce amongst 1960

Christians in India.

16. Official Trustees Act, 1913. 1960

17. Report on Trusts Act, 1882. 1961

18. Converts’ Marriage Dissolution Act, 1866. 1961

19. The Administrator-General's Act, 1913. 1961

The Law of Hire-Purchase

20. 1961
Marine Insurance
21. 1961
Christian Marriage and Matrimonial Causes
22. Bill,1961 1961
BACK TO LAW COMMISSION

Third Law Commission

(Chairman Mr. Justice J. L. Kapur 1961-1964)

23. Law of Foreign Marriages. 1962

24. The Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952 1962.

25. Evidence of Officers about forged stamps, currency 1963

notes, etc. Section 509-A Cr.P.C. as proposed.

26. Insolvency Laws 1964

27. The Code of Civil Procedure, 1908. 1964

28. The Indian Oaths Act, 1873. 1964

BACK TO LAW COMMISSION

Fourth Law Commission

(Chairman Mr. Justice J. L. Kapur 1964-1968)

Proposal to include certain Social and Economic

29. Offences in the Indian Penal Code 1966

30. Section 5 of the Central Sales Tax Act, 1956, taxation by 1967
the States of Sales in the course of import.

31. Section 30(2) of the Indian Registration Act, 1908- 1967

Extension to Delhi.

32. Section 9 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898- 1967

Appointment of Sessions Judges, Additional Session
Judges and Assistant Sessions Judges.

33. Section 44, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898. 1967

34. Indian Registration Act, 1908. 1967

35. Capital Punishment. 1967

36. Sections 497, 498 and 499 of the Code of Criminal 1967
Procedure, 1898-Grant of bail with condition.

37. The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (Sections 1 to 1967

176).

38. Indian Post Office Act, 1898. 1968

BACK TO LAW COMMISSION

Fifth Law Commission

(Chairman Mr. K. V. K. Sundaram 1968-1971)

39. Punishment of imprisonment for life under the 1968

Indian Penal Code.

40. Law relating to attendance of Prisoners in Courts. 1969

41. The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898. 1969

42. Indian Penal Code. 1971

43. Offences against the National Security. 1971

44. The Appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in 1971

Civil Matters.
BACK TO LAW COMMISSION

Sixth Law Commission

(Chairman Mr. Justice Dr. P. B. Gajendragadkar 1971-1974)

45. Civil Appeals to the Supreme Court on a Certificate 1971

of Fitness.

46. The Constitution (Twenty-fifth Amendment) 1971

Bill,1971.

47. The Trial and Punishment of Social and Economic 1972

Offences.

48. Some questions under the Code of Criminal 1972

Procedure Bill, 1970.

49. The Proposal for inclusion of agricultural income 1972

in the total income for the purpose of determining
the rate of tax under the Income-tax Act, 1961.

50. The Proposal to include persons connected with 1972

Public examination within the definition of "Public
Servant" in the Indian Penal Code.

51. Compensation for injuries caused by automobiles 1972

in hit-and-run cases.

52. Estate Duty on Property acquired after death. 1972

53. Effect of the Pensions Act, 1871 on the right to sue 1972
for pensions of retired members of the public
services.

54. The Code of Civil Procedure, 1908. 1973

55. Rate of interest after decree and interest on costs 1973
under sections 34 and 35, of the Code of Civil
Procedure, 1908.

56. Statutory Provisions as to Notice of suit other than 1973

section 80, Civil Procedure Code.

57. Benami Transactions. 1973

58. Structure and Jurisdiction of the Higher Judiciary. 1974

59. Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 and Special Marriage 1974

Act, 1954.

60. The General Clauses Act, 1897. 1974

61. Certain problems connected with power of the 1974

States to levy a tax on the sale of goods and with
the Central Sales Tax Act, 1956.

BACK TO LAW COMMISSION

Seventh Law Commission

(Chairman Mr. Justice Dr. P. B. Gajendragadkar 1974-1977)

62. Workmen's Compensation Act, 1923. 1974

63. The Interest Act, 1839. 1975

64. The Suppression of Immoral Traffic in Women 1975

and Girls Act, 1956.

65. Recognition of Foreign Divorces 1976

66. Married Women's Property Act, 1874. 1976

67. The Indian Stamp Act, 1899. 1977

68 The Powers of Attorney Act, 1882 1977

69 The Indian Evidence Act, 1872. 1977

70 The Transfer of Property Act, 1882. 1977

BACK TO LAW COMMISSION

Eighth Law Commission

(Chairman Mr. Justice H. R. Khanna, 1977-1979)

71 The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955- Irretrievable 1978

breakdown of marriage as a ground of divorce.

72 Restriction on practice after being a permanent 1978

Judge, Article 220 of the Constitution.

73 Criminal liability for failure by Husband to pay 1978

maintenance or permanent alimony granted to
the wife By the court under certain enactments
or rules of law.

74 Proposal to amend the Indian Evidence Act, 1978

1872 so as to render Admissible certain
statements made By witnesses before
Commission of Inquiry and other statutory
authorities.

75 Disciplinary Jurisdiction under the Advocates 1978

Act, 1961.
76 Arbitration Act, 1940. 1978

77 Delay and arrears in trial courts. 1979

78 Congestion of under trial prisoners in jails. 1979

79 Delay and Arrears in High Courts and other 1979

Appellate Courts.

80 Method of Appointment of Judges. 1979

BACK TO LAW COMMISSION

Ninth Law Commission

(Chairman Mr. Justice P. V. Dixit 1979-1980)

81 Hindu Widows Re-marriage Act, 1856. 1979

82 Effect of nomination under section 39, Insurance 1980

Act, 1938.

83 The Guardians and Wards Act, 1890 and certain 1980

provisions of the Hindu Minority and
Guardianship Act, 1956.

84 Rape and allied offences-some questions of 1980

substantive law, procedure and evidence.

85 Claims for compensation under Chapter 8 of the 1980

Motor Vehicles Act, 1939.

86 The Partition Act, 1893. 1980

87 Identification of Prisoners Act, 1920. 1980

BACK TO LAW COMMISSION

Tenth Law Commission

(Chairman Mr. Justice K. K. Mathew 1981-1985)

88 Governmental Privilege in Evidence: Sections 1983

123-124 and 162, Indian Evidence Act, 1872
and Articles 74 and 163 of the Constitution.

89 The Limitation Act, 1963. 1983

90 The Grounds of Divorce amongst Christians in 1983

India: section 10, of the Indian Divorce Act,
1869.

91 Dowry deaths and law reform: Amending the 1983

Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, the Indian Penal
Code, 1860 and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872.

92 Damages in applications for Judicial Review 1983

Recommendations for legislation.

93 Disclosure of sources of information by mass 1983

media.

94 Evidence obtained illegally or improperly: 1983

proposed section 166A, Indian Evidence Act,
1872.

95 Constitutional Division within the Supreme 1984

Court- A proposal for.
96 Repeal of certain obsolete Central Acts. 1984

97 Section 28, Indian Contract Act, 1872: 1984

prescriptive clauses in contracts.

98 Sections 24 to 26, Hindu Marriage Act, 1955: 1984

Orders for interim maintenance and orders for
the maintenance of children in matrimonial
proceedings.

99 Oral and written arguments in the Higher 1984

courts.

100 Litigation by and against the Government: 1984

some recommendations for reform.

101 Freedom of Speech and Expression under 1984

Article 19 of the Constitution: recommendation
to extend it to Indian Corporations.

102 Section 122(1) of the Code of Criminal 1984

Procedure, 1973: imprisonment for breach of
bond for keeping the peace with sureties.

103 Unfair Terms in Contract. 1984

104 The Judicial Officers' Protection Act, 1850. 1984

105 Quality Control and Inspection of consumer 1984

goods.

106 Section 103A, Motor Vehicles Act, 1939: effect 1984

of Transfer of a Motor Vehicle on Insurance.

107 Law of Citizenship. 1984

108 Promissory Estoppel. 1984

109 Obscene and Indecent advertisements and 1985
Displays: sections 292-293, Indian Penal Code.

110 The Indian Succession Act, 1925. 1985

111 The Fatal Accidents Act, 1855. 1985

112 Section 45 of the Insurance Act, 1938. 1985

113 Injuries in Police Custody- Suggested section 1985

114B, Evidence Act.

BACK TO LAW COMMISSION

Eleventh Law Commission

(Chairman Mr. Justice D. A. Desai 1985-1988)

114 Gram Nyayalaya. 1986

115 Tax Courts. 1986

116 Formation of an All India Judicial Service. 1986

117 Training of Judicial Officers. 1986

118 Method of appointment to subordinate courts/ 1986

subordinate judiciary.

119 Access to Exclusive Forum for Victims of Motor 1987

Accidents under Motor Vehicles Act, 1939.

120 Manpower Planning in Judiciary: A Blueprint 1987

121 A New Forum for Judicial Appointments. 1987

122 Forum for National Uniformity in Labour 1987

Adjudication.

123 Decentralisation of Administration 1988

ofJustice:Disputes Involving Centres of Higher
Education.

124 The High Court Arrears- A Fresh Look. 1988

125 The Supreme Court- A Fresh Look. 1988

126 Government and Public Sector Undertaking 1988

Litigation Policy and Strategies.

127 Resource Allocation for Infra-structural

Services in Judicial Administration (A
continuum of the Report on Manpower
Planning in Judiciary: A Blueprint).

128 Cost of Litigation. 1988

129 Urban Litigation – Mediation as alternative to 1988

Adjudication.

130 Benami Transactions:A Continuum. 1988

131 Role of legal profession in Administration of 1988

Justice.

BACK TO LAW COMMISSION

Twelfth Law Commission

(Chairman Mr. Justice M. P. Thakkar 1988-1991)

132 Need for Amendment of the Provisions of the 1989
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 Removal of Discrimination against Women in 1989

matters relating to Guardianship and Custody
of Minor Children and Elaboration of the
Welfare Principle.

134 Removing Deficiencies in certain Provisions of 1989

the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1923.

135 Women in Custody. 1989

136 Conflicts in High Court Decisions on Central 1990

Laws- How to foreclose and how to resolve.

137 Need for creating office of Ombudsman and for 1990

evolving legislative administrative measures
inter-alia to relieve hardships caused by
inordinate delays in settling Provident Fund
claims of beneficiaries.

138 Legislative Protection for Slum and Pavement 1990

Dwellers.

139 Urgent need to amend Order XXI, Rule 92(2), 1991

Code of Civil Procedure to remove an anomaly
which nullifies the benevolent intention of the
legislature and occasions injustice to
judgement-debtors sought to be benefited.

140 Need to amend Order V, Rule 19A of the Code 1991

of Civil Procedure, 1908, relating to service of
summons by registered post with a view to
foreclose likely injustice.
141 Need for amending the law as regards power of 1991
courts to restore
criminalrevisional applications and criminal
cases dismissed for default in appearance.

142 Concessional treatment for offenders who on 1991

their own initiative choose to plead guilty
without any bargaining.

143 Legislative safeguards for protecting the small 1991

depositors from exploitation.

BACK TO LAW COMMISSION

Thirteenth Law Commission

(Chairman Mr. Justice K. N. Singh 1991-1994)

144 Conflicting Judicial decisions pertaining to the 1992

Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.

145 Article 12 of the Constitution and Public Sector 1992

Undertakings.

146 Sale of Women and Children: Proposed Section 1993

373-A, Indian Penal Code.

147 The Specific Relief Act, 1963. 1993

148 Repeal of Certain pre-1947 Central Acts. 1993

149 Removal of certain deficiencies in the Motor 1994

Vehicles Act, 1988 (Act No. 59 of 1988).

150 Suggesting some Amendments to the Code of 1994

Civil Procedure (Act No. V of 1908).

151 Admiralty Jurisdiction. 1994

152 Custodial Crimes. 1994

153 Inter-Country Adoption. 1994

BACK TO LAW COMMISSION

Fourteenth Law Commission

(Chairman Mr. Justice K. J. Reddy 1995-1997)

154 The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (Act No. 1996

2 of 1974).

155 The Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic 1997

Substances Act, 1985(Act No. 61 of 1985).

156 The Indian Penal Code. 1997

BACK TO LAW COMMISSION

Fifteenth Law Commission

(Chairman Mr. Justice B. P. Jeevan Reddy 1997-2000)

157 Section 52:Transfer of Property Act, 1882 and 1998

its Amendment.

158 The Amendment of the Industries 1998

(Development and Regulation) Act, 1951

159 Repeal and Amendment of Laws: Part I 1998

160 Amendment to the All India Council for 1998

Technical Education Act, 1987 (Act No. 52 of
1987)

161 Central Vigilance Commission and Allied 1998

Bodies.

162 Review of functioning of Central 1998

Administrative Tribunal, Customs, Excise and
Gold (Control) Appellate Tribunal and Income-
Tax Appellate Tribunal

163 The Code of Civil Procedure (Amendment) Bill, 1998

1997

164 The Indian Divorce Act, 1869 (Act IV of 1869) 1998

165 Free and Compulsory Education for Children 1998

166 The Corrupt Public Servants (forfeiture of 1999

property) Bill.

167 The Patents (Amendment) Bill, 1998. 1999

The Hire-Purchase Act, 1972

168 1999

Amendment of Army, Navy and Air Force Act.

169 1999

170 Reform of the Electoral Laws 1999

171 The Biodiversity Bill, 2000 2000

172 Review of Rape Laws 2000

Prevention of Terrorism Bill, 2000 2000

173

Property Rights of Women: Proposed Reforms

2000
174 Under the Hindu Law

BACK TO LAW COMMISSION

Sixteenth Law Commission

(Chairman Mr. Justice B. P. Jeevan Reddy 2000-2001)

(Chairman Mr. Justice M. Jagannadha Rao 2002-2003)

175
The Foreigners (Amendment) Bill, 2000 2000

The Arbitration and conciliation (Amendment)

2001
176 Bill, 2002

Law Relating to Arrest 2001

177

Recommendations for amending various

2001
178 enactments, both civil and criminal

179 Public Interest Disclosure and Protection of 2001

Informers

Article 20 (3) of the Constitution of India and

180 2002
Right to Silence
Amendment to Section 106 of the Transfer of
181 2002
Property Act, 1882

Amendment of Section 6 of the Land

182 2002
Acquisition Act, 1894.

A Continuum on the General Clauses Act,

183 1897 with special reference to the 2002
admissibility and codification of external
aids to interpretation of statutes.
Legal Education & Professional Training and
Proposals for amendments to the Advocates
184 2002
Act, 1961 and the University Grants
Commission Act, 1956.

185 Review of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872. 2003

BACK TO LAW COMMISSION

SEVENTEENTH LAW COMMISSION

(Chairman Mr. Justice M. Jagannadha Rao 2003-2006)

186 Proposal to Constitute Environment Courts 2003

187 Mode of Execution of Death Sentence and 2003

Incidental Matters

188 The Proposals for Constitution of Hi-Tech Fast 2003

- Track Commercial Divisions in High Courts.
189 Revision of Court Fees Structure 2004

190 The Revision of the Insurance Act, 1938 and 2004

the Insurance Regulatory and Development
Authority Act, 1999

191 Regulation of Funds collected for Calamity 2004

Relief.

192 Prevention of vexatious Litigation. 2005

193 Transnational Litigation, Conflict of Laws, Law 2005

of Limitation.

194 Verification of Stamp Duties and Registration 2005

of Arbitral Awards.

195 The Judges (Inquiry) Bill, 2005 2006

196 Medical Treatment to Terminally Ill Patients 2006

(Protection of Patients and Medical
Practitioners)

197 Public Prosecutor’s Appointments. 2006

198 Witness Identity Protection and Witness 2006

Protection Programmes

199 Unfair (Procedural and Substancive) Terms in 2006

Contracts

200 Trial by Media: Free Speech Vs. Fair Trial 2006

Under Criminal Procedure (Amendments to
the Contempt of Court Act, 1971)

201 Medical Treatment after Accidents and During 2006

Emergency Medical Condition and Women in
Labour

BACK TO LAW COMMISSION

EIGHTEENTH LAW COMMISSION

(Chairman Dr. Justice AR. Lakshmanan 2007-2009)

Proposal to Amend Section 304-B of the Indian Penal

202 Code 2007

Section 438 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 as

203 Amended by the Code of Criminal Procedure 2007
(Amendment) Act, 2005 (Anticipatory Bail)

Proposal to Amend the Hindu Succession Act, 1956 as

204 2008
amended by Act 39 of 2005.

Proposal to Amend the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act,

205 2008
2006 and other allied Laws.

Proposal for enactment of new Coroners Act applicable to

206 2008
the whole of India

Proposal to amend Section 15 of the Hindu Succession

207 Act, 1956 in case a female dies intestate leaving herself 2008
acquired property with no heirs.

Proposal for amendment of Explanation to Section 6 of

208 the Hindu Succession Act, 1956 to include oral partition 2008
and family arrangement in the definition of "partition"

Proposal for omission of Section 213 from the Indian

209 2008
Succession Act, 1925

Humanization and Decriminalization of Attempt to

210 2008
Suicide.

Laws on Registration of Marriage and Divorce –A

211 2008
Proposal for Consolidation and Reform.

Laws of Civil Marriages in India – A Proposal to Resolve

212 2008
Certain Conflicts
Fast Track Magisterial Courts for Dishonoured Cheque
213 2008
Cases

Proposal for reconsideration of Judges cases I, II and III -

214 2008
SP GUPTA Vs. UOI

L . Chandra Kumar be revisited by Larger bench of

215 2008
Supreme Court of India

Non-Feasibility of Introduction of Hindi as Compulsory

216 2008
Language in the Supreme Court of India

217
Irretrievable Breakdown of Marriage - Another Ground
2009
for Divorce.

Need to accede to the Hague Convention on the Civil

218 2009
Aspects of International Child Abduction (1980).

Need for Family Law Legislations for Non-resident

219 2009
Indians.

Need to fix Maximum Chargeable Court-fees in

220 2009
Subordinate Civil Courts.

221 Need for Speedy Justice – Some Suggestions. 2009

222 Need for Justice–dispensation through ADR etc. 2009

Need for Ameliorating the lot of the Have-nots - Supreme

223 2009
Court’s Judgments.

Amendment of Section 2 of the Divorce Act 1869 Enabling

224 Non-domiciled Estranged Christian Wives to seek 2009
Divorce.

Amendment of Sections 7, 7A, and 7B of Industrial

Disputes Act 1947 Making Advocates Eligible to man
225 2009
Labour Courts and Industrial Tribunals.
2009

The Inclusion of Acid Attacks as Specific Offences in the

226 Indian Penal Code and a Law for Compensation for 2009
Victims of Crime.
Preventing Bigamy via Conversion to Islam - A Proposal
227 2009
for giving Statutory Effect to Supreme Court Rulings

Need For Legislation to Regulate Assisted Reproductive

228 Technology Clinics as Well as Rights and Obligations of 2009
Parties to a Surrogacy

Need for division of the Supreme Court into a

Constitution Bench at Delhi and Cassation Benches in
229 2009
four regions at Delhi, Chennai/ Hyderabad, Kolkata and
Mumbai

230 Reforms in the Judiciary – Some suggestions 2009

Amendments in Indian Stamp Act 1899 And Court-Fees

231 2009
Act 1870 Permitting Different Modes of Payment

Retirement Age of Chairpersons and Members of

232 2009
Tribunals – Need for Uniformity

Amendment of Code of Criminal Procedure Enabling

233 2009
Restoration of Complaints

234 Legal Reforms to Combat Road Accidents 2009

Nineteenth Law Commission

(Chairman Mr. Justice P. V. Reddi, 2009-2012)
Conversion/reconversion to another religion - mode of
235 2010
proof

Court-fees in Supreme Court vis-à-vis Corporate

236 2010
Litigation

237 Compounding of (IPC) offences 2011

Amendment of Section 89 of the Code of Civil Procedure,

238 2011
1908 and Allied provisions

Expeditious Investigation and Trial of Criminal Cases

239 2012
Against 2012 Influential Public Personalities
240 Costs in Civil Litigation 2012

241 Passive Euthanasia - A Relook 2012

Prevention of Interference with the freedom of

242 Matrimonial Alliances 2012 (in the name of Honour and 2012
Tradition ) : A suggested legal framework

243 Section 498 A, IPC 2012

Twentieth Law Commission

(Chairman Mr. Justice D. K. Jain, (25.01.2013 - 05.10.2013)

(Chairman Mr. Justice A. P. Shah, w. e. f. 21.11.2013)

244 Electoral Disqualifications 2014

245 Arrears and Backlog: Creating Additional Judicial 2014
(wo)manpower
246 Amendments to the Arbitration and Conciliation 2014
Act, 1996
247 Sections 41 to 48 of the Indian Succession Act,1925 2014
– Proposed Reforms
248 Obsolete Laws: Warranting Immediate Repeal 2014
(Interim Report)
249 Obsolete Laws: Warranting Immediate Repeal 2014
(Second Interim Report)
250 Obsolete Laws: Warranting Immediate Repeal 2014
(Third Interim Report)
251 Obsolete Laws: Warranting Immediate Repeal 2014
(Fourth Interim Report)
252 Right of the Hindu Wife to Maintenance: A relook at 2015
Section 18 of the Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance
Act, 1956
253 Commercial Division and Commercial Appellate 2015
Division of High Courts and Commercial Courts Bill,
2015
Supplementary to Report No. 246 on Amendments 2015
to Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 “Public
Policy” Developments post-Report No. 246
(06.02.2015)
254 The Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2015
2013
255 Electoral Reforms 2015
256 Eliminating Discrimination Against Persons Affected 2015
by Leprosy
257 Reforms in Guardianship and Custody Laws in India 2015
258 Prevention of Bribery of Foreign Public Officials and 2015
Officials of Public International Organisations – A
Study and Proposed Amendments
259 Early Childhood Development and Legal Entitlement 2015
260 Analysis of the 2015 Draft Model Indian Bilateral 2015
Investment Treaty
261 Need to Regulate Pet Shops and Dog and Aquarium 2015
Fish Breeding
262 The Death Penalty 2015

CONTACT US

Member-Secretary
Law Commission of India, 14th Floor, Hindustan Times House
Kasturba Gandhi Marg, New Delhi – 110 001
Tel.:+91 – 011- 23355741, 23355738; Fax: (0091)/011 - 23736744
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://lawcommissionofindia.nic.in