Consultation launched on legislation intended to simplify Welsh law

The Counsel General for Wales, Jeremy Miles AM, has launched a consultation on draft legislation that would impose obligations on Welsh Ministers and the Counsel General to make laws more accessible.

The Draft Legislation (Wales) Bill also makes bespoke provision about the interpretation of Welsh legislation.

The Counsel General said: “The complexity of the law that applies to Wales is a big problem and steps need to be taken to simplify it and make it more accessible to everyone. My goal is to organise Welsh law into comprehensive Codes organised by the subject areas devolved to Wales.”

Miles said he saw this as an issue of social justice. “It is vital that citizens understand their rights and responsibilities under the law, they know what the law means and who is responsible for what. That’s why I am launching a public consultation and engagement on the Draft Bill and would like to encourage everyone to get involved and have their say.”

The consultation runs until 12 June 2018. The paper is available to download here.

The Welsh Government said a clear, certain and accessible statute book was an economic asset and would give those who wished to do business in Wales a more stable and settled legal framework, helping investment and growth.

“It also enables public sector bodies and other organisations to more easily understand the legal context within which they operate, and makes law-making more efficient and effective,” it added. The proposals would also facilitate use of the law in Welsh.