provides otherwise.  Several minor changes to processes are being implemented in compliance with the timeframes required by the statute.       The Role of the Law Commission 9 The Law Commission, as an independent and specialist law reform agency, is able to take an inclusive, objective and professional approach to reform of the laws that govern society.  It is particularly suited to topics where independent, non-partisan investigation would assist in establishing the credibility of law reform proposals, or  where  collaboration  or  consultation  with  a  wide  range  of  stakeholders  is needed.    10 Specialist legal topics, that require close consultation with the legal profession or a particular industry, often have these attributes - for example, the Review of the Life  Insurance  Act  1908  published  in  2004  and  the  Review  of  Part  14  of  the Customs and Excise Act 1995 due to be published in October 2005.  So too do a number  of  social  policy  issues  requiring  broad  and  open  consultation  -  for example,  the  issues  addressed  in  Delivering   Justice:   Review   of   Courts   and Tribunals  published  in  2004  and  New  Issues  in  Legal  Parenthood  published  in 2005.      11 Projects undertaken by the Commission are usually substantial, possibly involving new concepts or fundamental review, which government agencies are sometimes unable to undertake because of time constraints and the electoral cycle.  Projects can run from six months to two or three years, or occasionally even longer where the area under investigation is large and complex.    12 Since  the  beginning  of  this  financial  year,  the  Law  Commission  has  also  been providing  reports  on  new  legislation  to  the  Legislation  Advisory  Committee (LAC), assessing government bills for compliance with the guidelines published by LAC.  The commission has agreed to provide the resource equivalent of .5 of an FTE for this purpose.   13 The appointment of a Minister Responsible for the Law Commission has led to a better  understanding  of  the  Law  Commission’s  particular  contribution  to  law reform, and to the development of an improved process for selection of projects.   The  process  recognises  the  Law  Commission’s  independence  and  specialist capacity, as well as the need for its projects to contribute to Government’s overall strategic outcomes and priorities.    14 The Cabinet Office Circular that invites Ministers to submit proposals for possible inclusion in the Law Commission’s annual work programme now includes criteria that clearly differentiate the Commission’s contribution from advice provided by core government agencies, and reflects the particular niche the Law Commission occupies in law reform.  All proposals, from whatever source, should be assessed against these criteria.