About Us
The Northern Ireland Law Commission (NILC) was established in 2007 following the recommendations of the Criminal Justice Review Group (2000). Its purpose is to keep the law of Northern Ireland under review and make recommendations for its systematic development and reform.
The Commission was established under the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002. The Act requires the new Commission to consider any proposals for the reform of the law of Northern Ireland referred to it. The Commission must also submit to the Secretary of State programmes for the examination of different branches of the law with a view to reform. The Secretary of State must consult with the Lord Chancellor, the First and deputy First Minister and the Attorney General before approving any programme submitted by the Commission.
Mission Statement
The establishment of an independent Law Commission is part of the positive political and constitutional process underway in Northern Ireland. The central aim of the Commission will be to contribute to the government’s wider objectives to deliver a fair and impartial system of justice and to deliver effective and efficient justice within Northern Ireland.
The Commission upholds the fundamental proposition that each citizen has rights and duties under the law. The Commission – alongside other bodies responsible for developing the law will respect , safeguard and promote those rights and duties by providing for Northern Ireland an effective means of simplifying and modernising the law and making it accessible to the people. The Commission will research and consult publicly on aspects of the law and bring forward recommendations to government for reform in those areas.
In taking forward this task the Commission wants to establish itself as a body that puts forward robust, workable and timely proposals for improving the law and its practice in Northern Ireland. This emphasis on achieving practicable outcomes will be an important value defining the work of the Commission.
Status
The NILC is not part of the Northern Ireland Office or of the Northern Ireland Civil Service. It is an independent advisory, non-departmental public body (NDPB). The Northern Ireland Office is the Commission’s sponsoring Department but the intention is that with devolution of policing and justice, sponsorship will transfer to the Minister with responsibility for the new Department of Justice.
Constitution
The Commission consists of a Chairman, who must hold the office of judge of the High Court, and four Commissioners, one of whom must be a person from outside the legal professions. The Secretary of State must consult with the Lord Chancellor, the First Minister and deputy First Minister, and the Attorney General for Northern Ireland before making the appointments. The Chairman and Commissioners are appointed on a part-time basis. The Chief Executive post is full time and appointed from the legal professions.
Statutory duty to liaise with other law reform bodies
In performing its duties the Northern Ireland Law Commission must consult with the Law Commission (England and Wales), the Scottish Law Commission and the Law Reform Commission of the Republic of Ireland.
Working methods
The Commission will produce consultation papers which will set out the current law on the area under review, the issues of concern and possible reform options. The consultation paper will be published for public consultation and responses considered. The Commission will then submit a report with recommendations and where appropriate draft legislation to government. It will be for government to decide if and how the Commission’s recommendations are to be taken forward.
The Northern Ireland Law Commission wishes to establish itself as a valued part of the constitutional structures of Northern Ireland and hopes that its reform proposals will carry weight and will be handled expeditiously by Government.