The Vanuatu Law Reform Commission (VLRC) is an independent statutory body established under the Law Commission Act [CAP 115]. Its main role is to review the laws of Vanuatu and recommend changes to ensure that the laws remain relevant, fair, and responsive to the needs of the people.
Although the Law Commission Act existed before Vanuatu's independence in 1980, the Commission was not fully operational for many years. In 2007, the Council of Ministers approved the establishment of a functioning Law Reform Commission to provide a dedicated body responsible for reviewing and reforming the country's laws.
A major milestone was reached in 2011 when the Government recruited and appointed the first Secretary of the Commission. The Commission's office became operational in 2012 and has continued to grow over the years.
To strengthen the Commission, the Government introduced amendments to the Law Commission Act. Since its establishment, the Law Commission Act [CAP 115] has been amended several times to strengthen the role and operation of the Commission. The following is a chronological history of the amendments:
1980 – Law Commission Act [CAP 115]
Following Independence in 1980, the Law Commission Act [CAP 115] became part of the laws of Vanuatu. The Act established the Law Commission and gave it responsibility for reviewing existing laws and recommending legal reforms.
2007 – Reactivation of the Commission
In 2007, the Council of Ministers approved the establishment of a functioning Law Commission. This decision marked the beginning of efforts to operationalise the Commission and establish a permanent office dedicated to law reform activities.
2011 – Law Commission (Amendment) Act 2011
The first major reform of the Law Commission Act occurred through the Law Commission (Amendment) Act 2011. The amendments significantly updated the governance structure of the Commission and introduced a more representative membership.
2011 – Appointment of the First Secretary
Following the 2011 amendments, Mrs. Bertha Pakoasongi was appointed as the first Secretary of the Law Commission. She commenced duties on 1 August 2011 and played a key role in establishing the Commission's office and operations.
2012 – Establishment of the Commission Office
The Commission became operational with a permanent office in Port Vila. This enabled the Commission to begin undertaking law reform projects, public consultations, and legislative reviews throughout Vanuatu.
2016/2017 – Law Commission (Amendment) Act No. 28 of 2016
The most significant reform of the Commission occurred through the Law Commission (Amendment) Act No. 28 of 2016, which came into force on 3 May 2017. This of which includes the Change of name from: Law Commission to Law Reform Commission
2021 – Law Reform Commission (Amendment) Act No. 17 of 2021
In 2021, Parliament enacted the Law Reform Commission (Amendment) Act No. 17 of 2021.
The Act further amended the Law Reform Commission Act. However, detailed provisions of the amendment require examination of the full Act for a complete analysis.
Following the foundational work of the Commission under its first Secretary, Mrs. Bertha Pakoasongi, the leadership of the Secretariat was later assumed by Mr. Lawson Jack Samuel. Mr. Samuel was first appointed as Secretary in April 2018 by former Minister of Justice and Community Services, Hon. Ronald Kay Warsal (MP), following a recommendation from the Commission under the chairmanship of the late Frederick John Gilu.
As Secretary of the Vanuatu Law Reform Commission, Mr. Samuel was re-appointed again in April 2026 following the Commission’s formal endorsement on 4 December 2025 to continued to strengthen the institution and oversee its growing law reform programme. Under his leadership, the Commission will continue to expanded its legal research, public consultations, stakeholder engagement, and legislative review work throughout Vanuatu.
