Submissions close today on the Law Commission's review into the laws and regulations that govern the Independent School sector.

New Zealand currently has a total of 99 registered independent schools - with a combined roll of more than 30,000 students. Independent schools are subject to a different regulatory system to that which governs State schools and, in October 2007, the then Labour-led Government requested that the Law Commission undertake a review into these regulations.

According to Law Commission President Sir Geoffrey Palmer: "the law concerning the regulation of independent schools has never been paid any systematic attention and much of the reasoning for the original provisions is lost in the mists of time".

In comparison to State schools, independent schools currently enjoy considerable freedom from regulation. This is something that I would like to see continue. It appears that Sir Geoffrey Palmer feels much the same given his comment that, in regards to the regulations governing independent schools, the Law Commission: "does not think there is any need for great or significant change."

He has gone on to say, however, that: "it is an area that requires some tidying up."

This last statement, however, could be described as vague - or, at the very least, a little unclear. It is for this reason that I urged people to make submissions on this review - so that they could be assured that their views and ideas on this issue could be recorded and taken into account.

Submissions to the Law Commission on its review close at 5pm today.