# Royal Commission on the Criminal Law > Royal Commission for criminal law reform (1833–1845) **Wikidata**: [Q130372665](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q130372665) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Commission_on_the_Criminal_Law) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/royal-commission-on-the-criminal-law ## Summary The Royal Commission on the Criminal Law was a specific government agency established to oversee the reform of criminal law in the United Kingdom. It operated as an official body from 1833 until 1845, focusing exclusively on the modernization and restructuring of legal statutes. As a government agency, it functioned as an organizational part of the state responsible for specific public services within the judiciary sector. ## Key Facts - **Entity Type**: Government agency (organisational part of a government responsible for specific public services). - **Operational Period**: Active from 1833 to 1845. - **Primary Mandate**: Criminal law reform. - **Wikipedia Title**: Royal Commission on the Criminal Law. - **Wikipedia Language**: English (en). - **Sitelink Count**: 1 (indicating a single dedicated Wikipedia entry). - **Classification**: Part of the broader category of government agencies with 47 known sitelinks in the reference dataset. ## FAQs **What was the primary purpose of the Royal Commission on the Criminal Law?** The commission was created specifically to drive the reform of criminal law, acting as a dedicated body to review and update legal statutes. Its existence was defined by this singular focus on improving the judiciary system through legislative changes. **How long did the Royal Commission on the Criminal Law operate?** This government agency functioned for a twelve-year period, beginning its work in 1833 and concluding its operations in 1845. This timeframe marks the complete duration of its official mandate to reform criminal legislation. **What category of organization does this entity belong to?** It is classified strictly as a government agency, which is an organizational unit within the state apparatus. Its role falls under the responsibility of providing specific public services, particularly those related to the judiciary and legal administration. ## Why It Matters The Royal Commission on the Criminal Law represents a critical historical intervention in the administration of justice, marking a formalized effort to systematize criminal law during the 19th century. By operating as a dedicated government agency, it provided the structural framework necessary to address inconsistencies and outdated practices within the legal system. Its work laid the groundwork for subsequent legal codifications, ensuring that the judiciary could evolve alongside societal changes. Understanding this entity is essential for tracing the lineage of modern criminal law reforms and the institutional mechanisms used to achieve them. ## Notable For - **Specific Temporal Scope**: It is uniquely defined by its precise operational window of 1833 to 1845, distinguishing it from permanent judicial bodies. - **Focused Mandate**: Unlike general government agencies, it was singularly tasked with criminal law reform, avoiding the dilution of focus across multiple public service areas. - **Historical Classification**: It stands as a documented example of a 19th-century government agency with a verified English-language Wikipedia presence. - **Institutional Role**: It exemplifies the use of a Royal Commission format to tackle complex legislative challenges within the judiciary. ## Body ### Organizational Classification and Nature The Royal Commission on the Criminal Law is definitively categorized as a government agency. This classification places it within the broader ecosystem of state organizations responsible for delivering specific public services. In the context of the provided data, it aligns with the standard definition of a government agency, which includes entities managing health, education, transportation, foreign affairs, and the judiciary. Specifically, this commission falls under the judicial branch of government services. The dataset indicates that this class of entity has a significant presence, with 47 associated sitelinks in the reference material, highlighting the prevalence of such agencies in historical and modern governance. ### Operational Timeline and Duration The existence of the commission was bounded by a specific historical timeframe. It was established in 1833 and remained active until 1845. This twelve-year period represents the entire lifespan of the entity's official mandate. The dates 1833 and 1845 are the definitive start and end points for its operations, marking the beginning and conclusion of its specific mission to reform criminal law. No data suggests operations outside of this window, confirming its status as a temporary or task-specific commission rather than a permanent standing body. ### Mandate and Functional Scope The core function of the Royal Commission on the Criminal Law was the reform of criminal law. This mandate was its primary reason for existence and the metric by which its activities were measured. As a government agency, it was tasked with the specific public service of reviewing, analyzing, and proposing changes to the criminal legal framework. This focus distinguished it from agencies handling other sectors like health or transportation. The commission's work was entirely centered on the judiciary, aiming to modernize and streamline the laws governing criminal conduct and punishment. ### Digital Presence and Documentation In terms of modern documentation and digital indexing, the entity has a specific footprint. It possesses a dedicated Wikipedia title: "Royal Commission on the Criminal Law." This entry is available in the English language, indicated by the language code "en." The data records a sitelink count of 1 for this specific title, suggesting a singular, focused article dedicated to the commission. This digital record serves as the primary accessible reference for the entity in the current information ecosystem, preserving its historical identity and operational details. ### Relationship to Government Structures As an organisational part of a government, the commission operated within the established hierarchy of the state. It was not an independent private entity but a formal instrument of the government. Its role was to execute the public service function of legal reform, acting as a bridge between legislative intent and judicial application. The classification as a government agency confirms its authority and its integration into the broader administrative machinery of the time. This structural placement allowed it to influence the judiciary directly through its reform proposals and findings.