For those who were eagerly awaiting the Law Commission’s final report and draft bill on Deprivation of Liberty before Christmas (a small stocking filler, perhaps?) I am afraid that you will be disappointed. The Law Commission announced today that the project has been delayed until March 2017.
In a statement, the Law Commission said:
“The reason for the delay is the complexity of the task of drafting legislation on such an important issue. It is vitally important to get the law right here. Badly drafted, over-complicated law is a big part of the problem with the current DoLS, and we do not want to fall into the same trap again….
“We are very aware that the project deadline was brought forward at the request of the Department of Health and for a good reason: there is an urgent need for the system to be improved. We know too that many stakeholders are waiting for our report and draft Bill and will be disappointed with any delay. For this we apologise.
“But we are convinced that it is far more important to deliver a fully completed draft Bill that can deliver effective safeguards to those being deprived of liberty. We are also confident that our new publication date will not delay the introduction of legislation into Parliament, should the government wish to do so. It will be for government to decide how to take forward the recommendations and draft Bill.”
Joanne Clement
E: joanne.clement@11kbw.com
T: @joanne_clement