23rd Law Commission of India: Formation, Mandate, and Key Functions
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Formation of the 23rd Law Commission of India |
| Approval | Approved by President Droupadi Murmu |
| Effective Term | 1 September 2024 to 31 August 2027 |
| Composition | Full-time chairperson, four members, ex-officio, and part-time members |
| Mandate | Review and recommend legal reforms to enhance the Indian legal system |
| Background | 22nd Law Commission's term ended on 31 August 2024; functioned without a chairperson |
| Previous Chairperson | Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi (resigned in March 2024 after a 17-month tenure) |
| Unfinished Reports | Uniform Civil Code and simultaneous elections |
| Terms of Reference | Review and repeal obsolete laws, law and poverty, judicial administration, gender equality, revision of Central Acts, government references, international research assistance, globalization impact |
| Additional Provisions | Consultations with Ministries/Departments, reports in Hindi and English, partnerships with law universities, internships, and consultants |
| Composition and Tenure | Chairman, four full-time members, ex-officio members, up to five part-time members |
| Administrative Control | Union Ministry of Law and Justice |
| Role and Function | Executive body; recommendations are advisory and widely debated |
| Key Historical Points | 1833 Charter Act, First Law Commission (1834), British Period Law Commissions, Post-Independence Law Commissions |
| 22nd Law Commission Chairman | Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi (2020-24) |