It is our aim to make our information and legislation easy for users to find, share and re-use through our website and other digital channels.
We use XML (eXtensible Markup Language) to ensure that the information that we publish is open and transparent. In computing terms, XML is a markup language that defines a set of rules for encoding documents in a format that is both human-readable and machine-readable. XML was designed to make information sharing and data interpretation easier. Fundamentally, it helps different people, computers and systems understand each other on a digital platform. For further information on how to use XML please visit w3schools.com.
In particular for Legislation related information we have adopted the UK Schema for Crown XML also known as CLML (Crown Legislation Markup Language). Full details including Technical Schema Description can be obtained from the National Archives who own and publish the Schema
- Technical Schema Description (XSD)
- Background to Crown XML (from the National Archives)
- Article on the introduction of CLML (from the Legal Information Institute at Cornell University)
Whilst we aim to update our XML Library on a routine basis the primary output for the Legislative process currently remains the PDF version of the Bill and so there may be a short delay before an XML version of a particular document is released to the Library after publication on the formal Bill Progress Page.
Crown XML relating to Bills is now stored on individual Bill/Act pages alongside other relevant materials which can be accessed fromv https://senedd.wales/legislation