The Law Reform Commission Act 1975 states that the Commission's role is to keep the law under review and to conduct research with a view to the reform of the law.  The 1975 Act defines law reform to include:

• the development of law
• its codification (including its simplification and modernisation) and
• the revision and consolidation of statute law.

Programmes of Law Reform and Attorney General Requests

The Commission's law reform research work arises form two main sources: first, under a Programme of Law Reform prepared by the Commission and agreed by Government and laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas under the 1975 Act; and second, in accordance with a request from the Attorney General under the 1975 Act.

A Programme of Law Reform is prepared by the Commission, approved by Government and placed before both Houses of the Oireachtas in accordance with the 1975 Act.

The Commission's current Third Programme of Law Reform 2008-2014 was approved by Government in December 2007.  The Commission has already begun or completed work on 20 of the 37 projects included in the Third Programme of Law Reform.  To learn more about any of these topics please see our 'Current and Completed Projects' section.

The Second Programme of Law Reform 2000-2007 led to the publication of over 60 documents (Consultation Papers and Reports) during its eight year time frame.

The Commission's First Programme of Law Reform was in place between 1977 and 1999, and the Commission published over 60 documents (Consultation Papers and Reports) during that time.

Under the 1975 Act, the Attorney General may also request the Commission to examine specific areas of law in addition to those in a Programme of Law Reform.  View all Attorney General References

View all Consultation Papers and Reports published by the Commission since it was established.