Reform panel wants ‘understandable’ laws

The government’s law reforms will focus on addressing legal loopholes and making laws easily understood, according to the law reform panel.

Kamnoon Sidhisamarn, a panel member, said the committee has discussed the framework and determined that several issues need to be addressed.

Mechanisms are needed to make sure lawmaking complies with the charter which requires the state does not introduce excessive laws and demands that laws should be assessed and revised to reflect the public interest, he said.

According to Mr Kamnoon, the country also needs to have legislation that serves as an instrument to reduce social and economic disparity and increase the country’s potential and competitiveness.

Law reforms should also address legal loopholes by promoting wider public participation in the lawmaking process which should also be swift but thorough.

Another key point is to simplify laws to make them easier to understand, Mr Kamnoon said.

A database should be established and properly maintained to ensure the public can find out more about various laws. The proposed database should also include court rulings and associated work.

The teaching of law and training legal professionals should also be revamped to ensure lawmakers and legal experts abide by a code of conduct.

He said information technology should be developed to improve communication between the public and law enforcement agencies, which can help save costs and deter graft.

According to Mr Kamnoon, the panel is expected to complete its work by Dec 25 and submit its recommendations to various parties for consideration including the Committee for National Administration under the Framework of National Reform, Strategy and Reconciliation.

The country’s national reform blueprint is expected to be ready in April next year, he added.