Paving the way for clearer, simpler Welsh law
The Law Commission has today published its responses to two Welsh Government initiatives set up to review and improve the accessibility of Welsh law.
This page is available in Welsh.
The consultation on the Legislation (Wales) Bill introduces a key element of the legal body’s Form and Accessibility of the Law Applicable in Wales report.
The Commission on Justice in Wales is reviewing the operation of the justice system in Wales to set a long term vision for its future after the new devolution settlement in the Wales Act 2017.
In both submissions, the Law Commission praised the efforts of the Welsh Government to make the law clearer and simpler for the public. But also called for a continued focus on codification going forward.
Public and Welsh Law Commissioner Nicholas Paines QC said:
“Having laws which people can find and understand is vital for the rule of law and the Welsh Government should be commended for its steps to make the law simpler for all involved.
“We’d encourage the Welsh Government to consider further how codification and modernisation of the law could benefit the people of Wales.”
Accessible, simple law
In July 2017 the Welsh Government accepted the majority of the Law Commission’s recommendations found in our 2016 report on the Form and Accessibility of the Law Applicable in Wales.
The report made a number of recommendations to make the law made in Wales clearer, simpler and easier to access.
It proposed that significant areas of the law in Wales should be codified.
It also made recommendations to allow the efficient passage of technical law reform through the Assembly and improve the publication of legislation, facilitating access to Welsh and English language versions of legislation.
The Commission on Justice in Wales has been set up by the First Minister of Wales to review the operation of the justice system in Wales. It is considering what arrangements need to be put in place to ensure Wales has a justice system that is fit for purpose.
View the Law Commission’s response to the Legislation (Wales) Bill consultation.
View the Law Commission’s response to the Commission on Justice in Wales review.