Timely amendment to civil code a must, says Law Minister Gautam

Kathmandu: Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Sobita Gautam, has said that timely amendment to civil code is necessary.

At a programme organised by Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs on Monday on the occasion of ‘Civil Code Day-2083’, Minister Gautam mentioned that amendment to civil code should be done to make it justice-oriented, citizen-friendly and implementable. She underlined that artificial intelligence, cybercrime, digital transaction, new types of economic crime, environmental crisis, new types of social relations have been raising new questions before the laws.

Mentioning that it was necessary to develop Law Commission as more capable, research-oriented and effective institution, the Law Minister pointed out the need of making conference of legal officer more effective for capacity building of the officers involved in drafting laws, exchanging experience and professional capacity building.

Also speaking at the programme, Chief Justice Dr Manoj Kumar Sharma said that access to justice for all should be expanded by strengthening the rule of law through effective implementation of codes.

Stating that continuous study, research, as well as timely revision and amendment are necessary for the effective implementation of the Code, he pointed out the need to interpret, use and amend it as the law changes with the changes in society.

Chief Justice Dr Sharma said that it is the responsibility of all concerned, including the judiciary, to embody the purpose of justice and develop the legal system by interpreting and using codes in the light of the constitution, human rights, the rule of law and established judicial values.

Similarly, President of Nepal Bar Association, Prof Dr Bijay Prasad Mishra, opined that there are many issues to be improved in civil code, adding justice should be provided to the citizens even by amending laws.

Likewise, Secretary at the Law Ministry, Parashwor Dhungana, opined that as the eighth anniversary of promulgation of civil code is being marked, preparation was underway to table amendment bill of civil code in the parliament.

The civil act was issued in 1910 and the Civil Code, the revised form of civil act, was issued on Bhadra 1, 2074 and brought into implementation on Bhadra 1, 2075 BS.

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