Chairperson and Members of the 22nd Law Commission of India

## Report on Appointments to the 22nd Law Commission of India **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes a notification from the Ministry of Law and Justice regarding appointments to the 22nd Law Commission of India. The document outlines the appointments of the Chairperson and Members of the commission, effective from November 9, 2022. The key findings relate to the individuals appointed, their roles (Chairperson, Full-time Member, Part-time Member), and the limited information available about the Commission's broader mandate beyond these appointments. **2. Introduction:** This report provides an overview of a notification issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice, Department of Legal Affairs, regarding appointments within the 22nd Law Commission of India. The analysis is based solely on the information contained within the provided text of the notification. **3. Policy Overview:** This is a *new policy* establishing the composition of the 22nd Law Commission through the appointment of its Chairperson and Members. * **Core Objective(s):** The primary objective, as inferred from the text, is to constitute the 22nd Law Commission of India by appointing a Chairperson and Members. **4. Background and Rationale:** * **New Policy:** The policy addresses the need to constitute the 22nd Law Commission of India, likely following the completion of the term of the previous commission or a period of vacancy. The notification ensures the commission is staffed with qualified individuals to fulfill its mandate. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** * **New Policy:** The notification details the following provisions: * **Appointment of Chairperson:** Mr. Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, Retired Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court, is appointed as Chairperson. * **Appointment of Full-time Member:** Mr. Justice K. T. Sankaran, Retired Judge of Kerala High Court, is appointed as a full-time member. * **Appointment of Part-time Member:** Shri M. Karunanithi, Advocate, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, is appointed as a part-time member. * **Effective Date:** All appointments are effective from the forenoon of November 9, 2022. * **Term Length:** The appointments last until the end of the term of the 22nd Law Commission of India. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** Based on the provided text, the direct stakeholders and target audience include: * **The Appointees:** Mr. Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, Mr. Justice K. T. Sankaran, and Shri M. Karunanithi. * **The Ministry of Law and Justice:** Specifically, the Department of Legal Affairs. * **The 22nd Law Commission of India:** The commission itself, as it receives its leadership and membership. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Ministry of Law and Justice, Department of Legal Affairs, is responsible for the notification and implementation of the appointments. The President, as indicated in the text, approves the appointments. * **Timelines:** The appointments are effective from November 9, 2022, and continue until the end of the term of the 22nd Law Commission. The specific duration of the term is not specified in the document. * **Procedure:** The text indicates a formal notification process following presidential approval. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** * **New Policy:** The expected outcome is the operationalization of the 22nd Law Commission with a fully appointed Chairperson and Members. This allows the commission to commence its work, which likely involves legal research, reform proposals, and providing recommendations to the government on matters of law and justice. The appointments of individuals with judicial and legal expertise suggest an emphasis on informed and considered legal analysis. **9. Conclusion:** The notification signifies the constitution of the 22nd Law Commission of India through the appointment of key personnel. This is a crucial step in ensuring the continued functioning of a body responsible for legal research and reform. The appointments signal a commitment to utilizing experienced legal professionals to address pertinent legal issues within the country. However, this analysis is limited to the information contained in the provided notification, and further details on the Commission's specific mandate and priorities would provide a more complete understanding.

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