Law Reform
LAW REFORM ACT

CHAPTER 3:04

LAWS OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

Act
37 of 1969

Amended by
19 of 2000

Current Authorised Pages
Pages Authorised

(inclusive) by L.R.O.
1–6 ..

L.R.O. UNOFFICIAL VERSION


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Note on Subsidiary Legislation
This Chapter contains no subsidiary legislation.

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Law Reform Chap. 3:04 3

LAWS OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

L.R.O.

CHAPTER 3:04

LAW REFORM ACT

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
SECTION

1. Short title.
2. Interpretation.
3. The Law Reform Commission.
4. Functions of the Commission.
5. Specialised Assistance.
6. Chairman’s Report.
7. Annual Report.

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4 Chap. 3:04 Law Reform

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CHAPTER 3:04

LAW REFORM ACT

An Act to provide for the establishment of a Commission for
reforming the law.

[16TH DECEMBER 1969]

1. This Act may be cited as the Law Reform Act.

2. In this Act—
“Commission” means the Law Reform Commission established

under section 3;
“judicial office” means an office of Judge of the High Court of

Justice or of Judge of the Court of Appeal;
“Minister” means the Minister responsible for Legal Affairs.

3. (1) For the purpose of promoting the reform of the law,
there shall be constituted in accordance with this section a body of
Commissioners to be known as the Law Reform Commission
consisting of a Chairman and such other Commissioners as may
be appointed by the President.

(2) The persons appointed to be Commissioners shall be
persons appearing to be suitably qualified by the holding of, or by
having held judicial office or by experience as Attorneys-at-law,
or Teachers of Law in a University.

(3) A person appointed to be a Commissioner shall be
appointed for such term, not exceeding five years, and on such
conditions as may be determined by the President at the time of
his appointment.

(4) A Commissioner may at any time resign his office
but a person who ceases to be a Commissioner shall be eligible
for reappointment.

(5) A person who holds judicial office may be appointed
a Commissioner without relinquishing that office but shall not be
required to perform his duties as the holder of that office while he
remains a member of the Commission.

37 of 1969.

Commencement.

Short title.
[19 of 2000].

Interpretation.
[19 of 2000].

The Law
Reform
Commission.
[19 of 2000].

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L.R.O.

4. (1) It shall be the duty of the Commission to keep under
review all the law applicable to Trinidad and Tobago with a view
to its systematic development and reform, including in particular
the modification of any branch of the law as far as that is practicable,
the elimination of anomalies, the repeal of obsolete and unnecessary
enactments, the reduction of the number of separate enactments
and generally the simplification and modernisation of the law and
for that purpose—

(a) to receive and consider suggestions for the reform
of the law which may be forwarded to it (either
on the invitation of the Commission or otherwise)
by Judges, public officials, lawyers and members
of the public generally;

(b) to receive and consider proposals for changes in
the law referred to it by the Minister or
recommended by any Law Reform Committee,
Association of Lawyers or other learned bodies;

(c) to prepare and submit to the Minister from time
to time specific programmes for the examination
of different branches of the law with a view to
reform including recommendations as to whether
such examination should be carried out by the
Commission or some other body;

(d) to undertake, in pursuance of any
recommendation of the Minister, the formulation
of draft Bills relating to the proposals for reform
contained in such recommendation;

(e) to undertake, pursuant to any recommendations
approved by the Minister, the examination of
particular branches of the law and the formulation,
by means of draft Bills or otherwise, of proposals
for reform therein;

(f) to provide at the instance of the Minister advice
and information to Ministries and Departments
of Government and Statutory Authorities
concerned with proposals for the amendment or
reform of any branch of the law;

Functions
of the
Commission.
[19 of 2000].

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(g) to obtain such information in regard to the laws
and legal systems of other countries as in the
opinion of the Commission is likely to facilitate
the performance of any of its functions.

(2) In addition to his functions under subsection (1), the
Chairman of the Law Reform Commission or a member of that
Commission nominated by him shall, if the President so determines,
act as a member of the Law Revision Commission for the purposes
of the Law Revision Act.

(3)
to
(5)

5. (1) In performing any of its functions under section 4(1)
the Commission may from time to time—

(a) consult any person who has specialised
knowledge in any branch of the law or technical
expertise in any particular field;

(b) appoint committees to provide advice and
information and to consider and report on any
matter referred to them.

(2) In appointing persons as members of a committee
under subsection (1)(b), the Commission shall not restrict
consideration to members of the legal profession.

(3) The Minister may authorise the payment of
remuneration and expenses to persons appointed or consulted under
this section.

6. The Chairman shall prepare at the beginning of each year
a programme for Law Reform for that year and submit it to the
Minister no later than January 31 of that year.

7. The Commission shall submit an annual Report of its
activities to the Minister who shall cause the report to be laid
in Parliament.

Ch. 3:03.

Specialised
assistance.
[19 of 2000].

Chairman’s
Report.
[19 of 2000].

Annual Report.
[19 of 2000].

(Deleted by Act No. 19 of 2000).}

UNOFFICIAL VERSION


UPDATED TO DECEMBER 31ST 2014

MINISTRY OF LEGAL AFFAIRS www.legalaffairs.gov.tt