Assembly committee launches consultation ahead of inquiry into a separate Welsh legal jurisdiction

21 December 2011

The National Assembly for Wales’s Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee has agreed to carry out an inquiry into the establishment of a separate Welsh legal jurisdiction.

They now want to hear evidence from the public and interested parties, as part of a consultation exercise that will feed into the inquiry process.

“Since the referendum result on 3 March 2011 gave the National Assembly extensive powers to make laws for Wales, the issue of whether Wales should become a separate legal jurisdiction has become a matter of public interest and discussion,” said David Melding AM, Chair of the Committee.

“In particular, the First Minister has indicated that he intends to initiate a public debate about whether a separate Welsh jurisdiction is needed.

“The Committee believes that these developments provide a good opportunity for the technical aspects of this question to be examined and has therefore agreed to conduct an inquiry.”

The Committee would welcome views on the following specific matters, as well as on any other matter relevant to the Inquiry:

• the meaning of the term “separate Welsh jurisdiction”;

• the potential benefits, barriers and costs of introducing a separate Welsh jurisdiction;

• the practical implications of a separate jurisdiction for the legal profession and the public; and

• the operation of other small jurisdictions in the UK, particularly those, such as Northern Ireland, that use a common law system.