Foreword by Home Secretary Jack Straw
Date: Fri May 01 14:43:56 BST 1998
I am delighted to write the foreword for this paper. Not just because it sets out the Government’s proposals for reforming out-moded and unclear Victorian legislation, but because it demonstrates this Government’s commitment to modernising and improving the law.
The paper is based on the proposals in the Law Commission’s Report No.218 "Offences Against the Person and General Principles", which is widely regarded as their flagship criminal law report. I too consider this to be a vitally important contribution to law reform. I am very grateful to the Law Commission both for their report and for their continuing contribution to the Government’s consideration of these proposals.
The Law Commission’s proposals were the result of long and careful work and consultation. We are undertaking this further consultation because the law has developed since their report was first published, and because our proposals are not identical to those of the Commission. On some subjects we have taken the opportunity to review the law further, in others we have taken a somewhat different view to the Law Commission. Their original report was warmly welcomed, and it is important that all those who contributed to the original report can assess our proposals, and that the consultation goes as widely as possible to include the views of those who may not have commented on the Law Commission's proposals. This is a difficult and important area of the law that takes up much of the time of the courts; after 137 years it is incumbent on us to get the reform of this law right.
I would welcome views on any aspect of this paper.
JACK STRAW
