Devolution: the law and policy

Devolution of law-making in Wales today means that the Senedd Cymru can legislate on matters that are not reserved to the UK parliament. This is termed a reserved powers model.

Reserved powers model

Examples of areas that are reserved and therefore not devolved to the Senedd Cymru include:
  • the single legal jurisdiction of England and Wales, policing, legal aid, and prisons
  • relations with the EU
  • defence of the realm
  • banking
  • immigration
  • supply of electricity, oil and gas and nuclear energy
  • broadcasting

Senedd Manifesto 2021

The Fifth Senedd term has been an exciting one for the advancement of justice in Wales.

The Commission on Justice in Wales led by Lord Thomas published its comprehensive report and we saw the Welsh government rapid review of the legal sector undertaken by Jomati published.

The remit of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee of the Welsh Parliament has been expanded considerably and there is currently an ongoing inquiry into making justice work in Wales.

We have seen that justice has risen up the Welsh political agenda and will continue to do so post-election.

The Law Society in Wales and Welsh government currently enjoy an open, honest and highly constructive relationship and we're confident that this relationship can be maintained and built upon beyond this year’s election.

Read our Future of Justice in Wales Manifesto 2021 (English, PDF 3.26 MB)

Read our Future of Justice in Wales Manifesto 2021 (Welsh, PDF 3.34 MB)

Annual lecture 2019

Dr Sarah Nason, lecturer in law at Bangor University, delivered our annual lecture on Wednesday 7 August 2019 at the National Eisteddfod in Wales.

Read the English version of the lecture (PDF 207 KB)

Read the Welsh version of the lecture (PDF 231 KB)

Consultation responses

The Law Society in Wales responds to consultations and works to influence law-making from policy development to implementation.

Here are some of our recent responses to the Welsh government and Senedd Cymru consultations in the field of planning law:

Monitoring reports

September 2019

Manon Antoniazzi, the chief executive and clerk of the Assembly, announced that the Legislation (Wales) Act 2019 has been granted Royal Assent. Assembly Members were recalled early from recess to debate Brexit and the prorogation of the UK parliament.

Download the report (PDF 231 KB)

July 2019

Assembly Members approved the Legislation (Wales) Bill following a stage four debate in the Senedd. Jeremy Miles issued a written statement on the rapid review of the Welsh government’s support for the legal sector in Wales.

Download the report (PDF 280 KB)

June 2019

This month, amendments to Stage three of the Legislation (Wales) Bill were discussed. Barry Hughes, chief crown prosecutor gave evidence to the Children, Young People and Education Committee on the Children (Abolition of Defence of Reasonable Punishment) Bill.

The Welsh government introduced the Health and Social Care (Quality and Engagement) (Wales) Bill, which would expand the duty of quality on NHS bodies, establish an organisational duty of candour and replace community health councils with an all-Wales citizen voice body.

Download the report (PDF 235 KB)

May 2019

Conservative AM Janet Finch-Saunders asked at Counsel General questions about the potential impact of the creation of a Welsh legal jurisdiction on lawyers.

Download the report (PDF 524 KB)

April 2019

Welsh Assembly members unanimously passed a motion to agree the General Principles of the Legislation (Wales) Bill which aims to make Welsh legislation clearer and more accessible. Welsh rates of income tax came into force on 6 April 2019.

Download the report (PDF 733 KB)

March 2019

The Law Society was referenced extensively in the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee’s Stage 1 report on the Legislation (Wales) Bill. The Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Bill and the Renting Homes (Fees etc.) (Wales) Bill were passed.

Download the report (PDF 795 KB)

February 2019

The Assembly Commission introduced the Senedd and Elections (Wales) Bill, which includes provisions to reduce the voting age to 16 and change the name of the Assembly to Senedd. The Welsh government published its Tax Policy Work Plan.

Download the report (PDF 648 KB)

January 2019

The Law Society gave evidence to the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee inquiry into the Legislation (Wales) Bill. The counsel general announced a rapid review of the Welsh government’s support for the legal sector.

Download the report (PDF 806 KB)

Ornate curved staircase leading to Law Society Library in 113 Chancery Lane: stained glass window and gold-framed portraits with central marble pillar
Ornate curved staircase leading to Law Society Library in 113 Chancery Lane: stained glass window and gold-framed portraits with central marble pillar