Welsh law
Charles III Heir Apparent William, Prince of Wales First Minister (list) Rt Hon Eluned Morgan MS (L) Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies MS (L) Counsel General-designate – Elisabeth Jones Chief Whip and Trefnydd – Jane Hutt MS (L) Permanent Secretary Sixth Senedd Llywydd (Presiding Officer) Elin Jones MS (PC) Leader of the Opposition Darren Millar MS (C) Shadow Cabinet Prime Minister Rt Hon Keir Starmer MP (L) Secretary of State for Wales Rt Hon Jo Stevens MP (L) Principal councils (leader list) Corporate Joint Committees Local twinning see also: Regional terms and Regional economy United Kingdom Parliament elections European Parliament elections (1979–2020) Local elections Police and crime commissioner elections Referendums Welsh law (Welsh: Cyfraith Cymru) is an autonomous part of the English law system[1] composed of legislation made by the Senedd.
For example, in 2020, an independent commission led by former Lord Chief Justice John Thomas came to the conclusion that the existing arrangement was ‘failing the people of Wales’.
[6] Prior to the 19th century, It was custom for Welsh Judges to travel on horseback, whereas their English counterpart did not, this detail was discussed within the House of Commons in May 25, 1820.
Executive functions (known as powers) were transferred via Welsh devolution from the UK Government to the National Assembly for Wales.
These included powers for agriculture, culture, economic development, education, health, housing, local government, social services and planning in Wales.
These function included making regulations, rules, orders and giving financial assistance in those areas.
The Act also granted further powers in matters such as economic, social and environmental well-being of Wales and culture which included the Welsh language.
The referendum concluded with 63.5% of voters supporting the transfer of full primary law-making powers to the Assembly.
[15] The Act, for the first time in Wales, allowed 16 and 17-year-olds the right to vote, beginning with the 2021 Senedd election.
[18] The Senedd is able to pass laws in any area which is not explicitly reserved by Westminster, subject to a number of general restrictions (such as compatibility with the Human Rights Act).
[20] Reserved subject areas include: There are Acts of the UK Parliament that are classed as "Wales-only laws".
[22] Following the referendum in 2011, the Official Languages Act became the first Welsh law to be created in 600 years, according to the First Minister at the time, Carwyn Jones.
