Past Inquiries and Completed Reforms (2015–2025)
Between 2015 and 2020, the Lagos State Law Reform Commission (The Commission) undertook series of targeted law reform initiatives addressing commercial activity, housing, public safety, social protection, and emerging regulatory needs. These inquiries were conducted through research, stakeholder consultations, and empirical reviews, and resulted in significant legislative outcomes.
Commercial Law Reform
The Commission conducted a Law Reform Perception Survey among legal practitioners with 1–30 years’ post-call experience, focusing on the Sale of Goods Law (1893–1958), Tort Laws (1961 & 1963), and Contracts Law (1961).
Findings from the survey informed comprehensive reviews that culminated in the enactment of the:
- Law Reform (Contracts) Law
- Law Reform (Torts) Law
- Sale of Goods Law
as contained in the Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
Lagos State Tenancy Law Review (2011)
The Tenancy Law was reviewed to assess enforcement effectiveness, area-based exemptions, and its contribution to orderly urban development in a megacity context.
The review involved questionnaires administered to lawyers, judicial officers, landlords, and tenants, as well as stakeholders' consultation meetings. The process informed amendments to both the Tenancy Law and the Lagos State Estate Agency Regulatory Authority Law.
Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority Law (2021)
As a follow-up to the Tenancy Law review, the Commission reviewed the Lagos State Estate Agency Regulatory Authority Law, 2017 to strengthen oversight of estate agency practice.
The process resulted in the enactment of the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority Law, 2021, ensuring improved regulation and compliance within the real estate sector.
Animals’ Law (2021)
The review of the Dogs Law, 1943 was initiated following public safety concerns arising from serious incidents involving dangerous animals.
The outcome was the Animals’ Law, which regulates the ownership, licensing, care, and sale of pets, and restricts private custody of animals that pose significant danger to the public.
Express Trusts Bill
In response to calls for the modernization of trust law, the Commission drafted the Express Trusts Bill to introduce flexibility into wealth and estate planning, promote investment and charitable trusts, and support orderly wealth distribution.
The Bill proposes trusts as modern wealth and investment vehicles, complementing existing corporate structures.
Victims Assistance and Witness Protection Law (2024)
Developed in response to public concern over the protection of victims of crime and witnesses. The Victims Assistance and Witness Protection Law, 2024 establishes rights, entitlements, and protection mechanisms within the criminal justice system.
Lagos State Organ Harvest and Transplantation Law (2024)
Following proposals to reform the Cornea Graft Decree No. 23 of 1973, the Commission reviewed the legal framework for organ donation and transplantation, with expert input from LASUTH and the Ministry of Health.
The review culminated in the Lagos State Organ Harvest and Transplantation Law, 2024.
Human Fertilisation and Surrogacy Regulation Authority Bill
This Bill emerged from the ongoing review of the Child’s Rights Law, 2007 and the need to regulate Artificial Reproductive Technology (ART) practices beyond existing guidelines.
The Bill is currently before the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency Law (2024)
The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency Law, 2024 repealed and replaced the 2015 Law, expanding the Agency’s powers to address unfair trading practices, including those related to online goods and services.