CLAUDIA'S Law, which will help the families of people with missing loved ones, could finally be enacted this summer.

The results of consultation by the Ministry of Justice into changes to the Guardianship (Missing Persons) Act were published on Monday, April 29, and showed cross-party support for the legislation - which will help families deal with the financial and property affairs of missing loved ones.

Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice the Rt Hon David Gauke MP said in his report that "the Act is an important piece of legislation", which fills "a gap in the current system of legal remedies".

The report said: "At present the family and friends of a missing person have no means of dealing with the financial and property affairs of their loved one, and this is adding to the distress and difficulty of their situation.

"The Government is determined to do all it can to bring the Act into force in July 2019. As this consultation response illustrates, there is a wide range of work to be done."

Peter Lawrence, who received an OBE for services to families of missing people and campaigned for changes to the law with the Missing People charity, said he was pleased

Mr Lawrence said: "I very much welcome the Secretary of State’s announcement today that Claudia’s Law is moving into the final stages of preparation for use by the families of those who find themselves trying to manage the affairs of a missing loved one.

"A tremendous amount of work has been done by many people to get this Act ready and it is good to know that it is intended to be available in July."