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home > Current Projects > Statute Law Repeals

Statute Law Repeals

Commissioner
Chairman

Team member
Mrs Susan Sutherland, Project Manager
Miss Susan Robb, Solicitor
 

One of the Commission's functions is to recommend the repeal of obsolete legislation. We undertake much of this work jointly with the Law Commission for England and Wales.

The purpose of repealing obsolete legislation is to modernise and simplify the statute book, reduce its size and make it easier for people to use. This helps to avoid people being misled by outdated legislation that appears to be current law. Further details about the process of repealing legislation are available in a background note.

The Repeals Bills are drafted by the Law Commission and we undertake consultation in Scotland on the Scottish proposals for repeal. We consult with the Scottish Government and other authorities in Scotland who are interested in the subject matter of the proposed repeals.

The most recent Statute Law Repeals Report (the 18th report in the series) was published on 29 January 2008. A draft Bill to give effect to the repeal proposals contained in the report was included. The Bill was approved by the UK Parliament without amendment. The Statute Law (Repeals) Act 2008 (c12) came into force at Royal Assent on 21 July 2008.  A news release is available. Full details of the repeal proposals are set out in the Notes on the Bill.

For more information, please contact: susan.sutherland@scotlawcom.gov.uk

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