The Wales Act 2017 amended the Government of Wales Act 2006 by providing for a new devolution settlement for Wales. The Reserved Powers Model established by the 2017 Act allows the Senedd to legislate on matters that are not reserved to the UK Parliament.
There are still a number of legal tests that must be passed under the Reserved Powers Model, for example, Acts of the Senedd must not relate to any reserved matter set out in the new Schedule 7A of the 2006 Act (such as modern slavery, electricity, road and rail transport, medicines). Many of the ‘silent subjects’ under the old Schedule 7 of the 2006 Act are now expressly reserved, for example, employment, immigration and defence of the realm. Also, Acts of the Senedd must not breach any of the restrictions set out in the new Schedule 7B of the 2006 Act, for example that Acts of the Senedd must not modify private law (such as contract, tort, property) unless it is for a devolved purpose, or modify certain criminal offences (such as serious offences against the person and any sexual offences).
- Schedule 7A to the Government of Wales Act 2006 (as amended by the Wales Act 2017)
- Schedule 7B to the Government of Wales Act 2006 (as amended by the Wales Act 2017)