2015: 50 years promoting law reform
The Scottish Law Commission has been promoting law reform for Scotland for over 50 years. 2015 was our golden anniversary; the Commission having been established by the Law Commissions Act 1965.
Events were held in 2015 to mark our 50th anniversary. Details of these are on this page. Attached is a news article reviewing our 50th year.
Secretary of State for Scotland visit to the Commission
The Secretary of State for Scotland, David Mundell MP, visited the Commission. See more.
Historic visit by the First Minister during the Commission's 50th anniversary year
The First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon MSP, made an historic visit to the Commission on 26 August, to celebrate the Commission's anniversary in 2015. See more.
International law reform conference
Commonwealth Association of Law Reform Agencies (CALRAs) Conference 2015
As part of our 50th celebrations, the Commission was proud to host the CALRAs conference in Edinburgh in April 2015. See here for further information.
Conference: Fifty Years of the Law Commissions
A conference was held at the UK Supreme Court on 10 - 11 July 2015 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Law Commissions Act 1965. The theme of the conference was 50 years of the Law Commissions: the Dynamics of Law Reform Now, Then and Next.
The conference featured key contributions from past and present Scottish Law Commissioners.
See here for further details: and see @scotlawcom on Twitter and #lawreform50
50th Presentation from Law Society of Scotland
The Chairman of the Commission, Lord Pentland, was delighted to receive a presentation from the Law Society of Scotland to celebrate the Commission's 50th anniversary read more and the Law Society press release http://www.lawscot.org.uk/news/2015/10/rising-stars-and-stars-that-have-risen-–-double-celebrations-at-law-society’s-conference/
The Commission’s 50th Anniversary date: 15 June 2015
Visit by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice
The Commission’s golden anniversary was celebrated with a visit from the Cabinet Secretary for Justice. See more …
Scottish Public Law Group Seminar: The Scottish Law Commission at 50: Law reform in the 21st Century
The Scottish Public Law Group held an evening seminar on 19 November at the Laigh Hall, Edinburgh.
The event marked the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Scottish Law Commission.
The Dean of the Faculty of Advocates, James Wolffe QC, opened the event. The keynote address was given by the Chairman of the Commission, Lord Pentland, on the role of the Commission and thoughts for the future of law reform in Scotland. David Johnston QC, a Commissioner, also gave a presentation, as did a former Commissioner, Laura Dunlop QC.
For the presentations, see below
Dean of Faculty: Faculty press release
Lord Pentland: presentation
David Johnston QC: presentation
Laura Dunlop QC: presentation
See also article in Holyrood Magazine and Journal online
Reflections about the Commission
Over the past 50 years much has been written and said about the Commission and our work. Some of these materials are drawn together in a list, as a source of information and reflections about the Commission’s work and activities over the years. See here for the list.