The Kerala Law Reforms Commission

The Kerala Law Reforms Commission

The Government of Kerala undertook law reforms as a high priority item on the agenda of the Government and after detailed discussions with eminent persons in this regard the Law Reforms Commission for the State of Kerala was constituted on 26.11.2001.

The following eminent persons were the initial members of the Law Reforms Commission :

1. Mr. Justice V.R.Krishna Iyer - Chairman
(Former Judge, Supreme Court)
'Satgamaya',
M.G.Road, Ernakulam, Kochi-682 011

2. Mr.Justice T.V. Ramakrishnan - Member
(Former Judge, High Court of Kerala)
'Anugraha, P.J.Antony Ground Road, Pachalam, Kochi-682 012

3. Mr.Justice C.S Rajan, - Member
(Former Judge, High Court of Kerala)
'CHIT-KOD', House No.40/897,
Ashramam Lane, Azad Road, Kochi - 682 017

4. Shri. T.P. Kelu Nambiar - Member
(Senior Advocate),
Anamika,Karakkat Road,
Kochi-16

5. Shri .Varkala Radha Krihnan. M.P - Member
'Rajendra,Thycadu P.O,
Thiruvananthapuram.

6. Dr. Sebastian Paul M.P - Member.
376/D-Moonjappilli House,
St.Francis Xavier Church Road,
Kochi-18

7. Dr. N.K.Jaya Kumar, -Member (Ex-officio)
(Secretary, Legislative Assembly)

8. Sri.P.S.Gopinathan, - Member Secretary (Ex-officio)
(Secretary, Law Department)

The terms of reference of the Commission were as follows.

a. To rectify defects in the existing Laws.
b. To repeal obsolete or unnecessary enactments.
c. To consolidate, modify and reform the existing Laws.
d. To simplify or modernize the Laws.
e. To adopt new and more effective methods for the administration of the
Law.
f .To systematically develop and reform the law.
g. To provide training to the officers for legislative drafting.
h. To provide training for the legislators in the legislative process.
i. Matters to be implemented jointly by the Legislature, Parliamentary Affairs Department and Law Department regarding Legislation

j. Steps to be taken by various Government Departments regarding legislation.
k. Other matters to be considered in the field of legislation in the new world order.

l . Other matters referred to the Commission by the Government within its period, regarding Law reforms.

Thirty more members were later on included in the Commission. The Commission submitted its report to the Government on 26.01.2009 . The Report has mixed reactions and some of the proposals have staunch opposition from many quarters .