Scottish Law Commission publishes Annual Report 2014

The report outlines progress on the commission’s law reform work during 2014 and looks ahead to events during 2015 to mark the fiftieth year since the commission was set up.

Marking the end of his first year as chairman of the commission, Lord Pentland (pictured) noted that the increasing complexity and diversity of life in Scotland means that it is more important than ever to ensure that the law is kept up to date.

He said: “Throughout 2014 all of us at the Scottish Law Commission have been focused on our core task of improving, simplifying and modernising the law of Scotland. That is our role as an independent law reform agency.

“We examine the law and recommend changes to it from a neutral standpoint – independently of the Government, the Scottish Parliament and any other public authority, organisation or individual.”

Lord Pentland praised the new procedure introduced in the Scottish parliament for the implementation of commission reports, welcoming it as a “great step forward”.

The procedure, with a revised remit for the delegated powers and law reform committee, is being used for the first time for the Legal Writings (Counterparts and Delivery) (Scotland) Bill.

The chairman recorded thanks to two commissioners who demitted office at the end of 2014: Patrick Layden QC TD and Laura Dunlop QC, and welcomes their successors as law commissioners, David Johnston QC and solicitor Caroline Drummond.

Download the report here.