Law Reform
From 2 April 2007, the Office of Law Reform has closed and it's functions merged with the Departmental Solicitors Office (DSO) Directorate. The OLR team of lawyers will be working as part of DSO with the new title of Civil Law Reform Division (CLRD).
As its name suggests, the Civil Law Reform Division of the Departmental Solicitor's Office is responsible for certain aspects of civil law reform, most notably with regard to private family law, trusts and property law, tort, contract law and private international law.
In addition to briefing and advising Ministers on aspects of the above and taking forward NI initiatives, CLRD:
- Provides NI input to UK-wide primary and secondary legislative initiatives in the civil law field
- Contributes to the UK response to developments in international law
- Contributes to NI progress reports in respect of international Conventions and Treaties
- Deals with Parliamentary and Assembly questions and correspondence
- Takes forward subordinate legislation
- Monitors civil caselaw and the operation of prior legislative amendments
- Provides assistance, on the policy/legislative side, to other units within DFP
- Provides representation on various Committees and may be called upon to assess civil law recommendations from the NI Law Commission, with a view to advising Ministers on those recommendations and taking forward any required legislative amendments.
