Welcome

The objects of the South African Law Reform Commission are to do research with reference to all branches of the law in order to make recommendations to Government for the development, improvement, modernisation or reform of the law. The Commission investigates matters appearing on a programme approved by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development. Reports and other documents published by the Commission are made available on the Commission's website for general information.

Kindly note that the Commission is not in a position to give legal advice to members of the public.

What's New

2026.03.06: Media release on the Domestication of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Project 148) – Witbank Workshop, 06 March 2026

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2025.03.03: Media Statement regarding the release of five Discussion Papers on the Review of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977 for Public Comments by no later than 31 March 2026.

• Discussion Paper 169: Mental and Intellectual Disability and the Criminal Justice System. [Revised 27 Feb 2026]
• Discussion Paper 170: Protection of the Rights of Victims of Crime in Criminal Proceedings (Reflections on Previous Investigations Pertaining to Victims of Crime). [Revised 27 Feb 2026]
• Discussion Paper 171: Ensuring the Continuity of Criminal Trials: Reforming the De Novo Rule and Court Record Management in South Africa. [Revised 27 Feb 2026]
• Discussion Paper 172: Employment of Lay Assessors. [Revised 27 Feb 2026]
• Discussion Paper 173: Strengthening Governance and Accounting Mechanism in the Criminal Justice System. [Revised 27 Feb 2026]

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