The Law Commission has celebrated its thirtieth birthday with the announcement of its Sixth Programme of law reform. The Commission’s work ranges over many areas. Not all are apparently of immediate concern to commercial lawyers. But notable instances are. Thus, in recent years the Commission has been responsible for the replacement of the Bills of Lading Act 1855 by the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act 1992, the recent reforms of the Sale of Goods Act 1979 (including the Bill on bulk goods currently before Parliament) and the Merchant Shipping Acts consolidation Bill 1995. Attention to the work of the Commission has become even more important with its recent focus of interest on commercial and company law.

The Commission works by publishing Consultation Papers, receiving comments, then submitting Reports with firm recommendations, which Government and Parliament have lately become increasingly disposed to implement. It is therefore vital that all interested parties respond—whether positively or negatively—to its Consultation Papers: all views are valued and potentially of real influence. Publication of the Sixth Programme gives early notice that interested parties should be prepared to submit their views on a range of upcoming topics, e.g., limitation periods, illegal transactions, personal and proprietory remedies for recovery of property transferred in breach of trust or fiduciary duty, offences of dishonesty, and the controversial Third Parties (Rights Against Insurers) Act 1930. The Programme underlines the opportunity of participating in creating better law by and for those affected by it.