A BOLTON peer says that a large number of laws are so complicated that even experts struggle to understand them.

Badly drafted legislation puts ‘costly and unnecessary strains’ on the justice system, according to the House of Lords Constitution Committee, which is chaired by Baroness Ann Taylor.

Peers were told that immigration, tax and sentencing laws are among the most complex and pose a ‘serious threat’ to the ability of lawyers and judges to apply them consistently.

Baroness Taylor said: “Improving the quality of legislation is in everybody’s interest. We call on the Government to publish draft Bills and policy evidence as a regular part of the legislative process to facilitate better scrutiny.

“We also believe the Government should consolidate complex areas of the law - such as immigration and sentencing law - bringing the interlocking webs of statutes and regulations together into a single text to make it more accessible and comprehensible.”