The Barbados Law Reform Commission has initiated a nationwide public consultation campaign, calling upon citizens, civil society organizations, and professional associations to contribute written proposals for the comprehensive reform of the country’s legal framework. The consultation period remains open until February 16, 2026, with submissions limited to 1,500 words.
Commission Chairman Sir David Simmons emphasized the critical importance of public participation in ensuring the nation’s laws remain relevant and responsive to contemporary societal needs. “Our legal framework must be recast in a form that is both intelligible and accessible while aligning with modern requirements,” stated Sir David. He further highlighted that public consultation represents a fundamental component of the law reform process, enabling Barbadians to contribute their expertise, experiences, and observations regarding the current state of legislation.
While initial contributions must be submitted in written format, the Commission clarified that this would not preclude subsequent oral discussions with authors once submissions undergo preliminary review. This two-tier approach ensures thorough consideration of all proposals while maintaining an open dialogue with contributors.
Submissions may be delivered electronically to lawreform@barbados.gov.bb or in physical format to the Commission’s offices at the Henry Forde and David Simmons Legal and Judicial Complex on Coleridge Street in Bridgetown.
The Commission, operating under the Office of the Attorney General, derives its mandate from the Law Revision and Law Reform Act of 2019-6. Its statutory responsibilities include the systematic review, modernization, and simplification of Barbados’ legal corpus to ensure its continued relevance and effectiveness in addressing contemporary challenges.