Commission publishes law reform annual report for 2017

The Scottish Law Commission's annual report for 2017 is published today.

It records a year in which three reports and draft bills were published, covering moveable property, defamation and prescription. The last of these has already been introduced as a bill in the Scottish Parliament.

Commission chairman Lord Pentland commented: "2017 was another successful and productive year for the Commission. We published reports and draft bills on three important branches of Scots private law: moveable transactions, defamation and prescription. All are key areas of the law affecting many people and organisations across Scotland at a practical level.

"The work of law reform is of vital importance in ensuring that the law is kept in tune with modern values and with the thinking and outlook of today’s rapidly evolving society."

He also welcomed the passing of legislation in the Scottish Parliament in 2017 giving effect to the Commission’s recommendations on third party rights in contract. At Westminster legislation was passed on unjustified threats in intellectual property, a project on which the Scottish Law Commission assisted the Law Commission for England & Wales.

Last week the Commission announced its 10th programme of law reform, on which work is now beginning. (Click here for report.)