Welsh Law Flashcards
What is the job of Senedd Cymru, the Parliament of Wales?
It has the reserved powers model that the Scottish Parliament has. Its job is to pass laws affecting Wales under this model, to scrutinise and hold account the elected government of Wales and approve taxation proposed by Welsh Government
What laws can Senedd pass?
Only laws in non-reserved areas and which affect the territory of Wales only
- it passes primary legislation which applies to Wales only in areas which have not been reserved by Westminster
What happens before any Bill goes to the Senedd floor?
the Presiding Officer (speaker of the Senedd) will rule on whether the Bill can be passed by the Senedd: does it relate only to the territory of Wales and does it infringe on any reserved matters?
What are examples of reserved matters?
Decisions which are still taken by Parliament at Westminster:
- immigration
- defence
- foreign policy
- consumer rights
- fiscal, economic and monetary policy (VAT, IHT, corporation tax, CGT)
- policing and criminal investigations
- legal proceedings
How does the Senedd hold the Welsh government to account?
Because members of the Welsh Government are members of the Senedd, the Senedd can scrutinise the executive directly in parliament :
- holding debates
- submit and make questions to Welsh Government
- work of Senedd committees
What is the reserved powers model?
UK government does not legislate in areas that are non-reserved; the Senedd legislates in these areas for Wales
Technically, the UK Parliament can legislate non-reserved areas but by convention it does not and if it did, would get consent from the Senedd
Examples of non-reserved areas:
- income tax and LTT
- agriculture and fishing
- education
- health
- housing
- local government
What is a financial resolution?
Used if a bill will have financial implications (will require money to be spent to be enforced)
The Senedd vote on the resolution so the Government has funds required to implement the Bill
When is a financial resolution proposed?
By the Presiding Officer after Stage 2 of a Bill
If PO determines a financial resolution, the Senedd has 6 months to vote on it. If they fail to do so, the Bill fails
What is the process for passing secondary legislation?
- SI is laid before Senedd at least 21 days before it comes to effect
- Senedd’s Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee see if there are any issues with it
- No issues = clear report given within 20 days of it being laid
- Senedd has 40 days to object to an SI after it has been laid
How can Acts of Senedd be repealed by the Senedd?
Later primary legislation or secondary legislation
Can secondary legislation repeal or amend Senedd Acts?
Yes, under Legislation (Wales) Act 2019
Can Senedd pass primary legislation to amend Westminster Acts that affect non-reserved matters in Wales?
Yes
What does citation “2023 asc 3” mean?
The Act was passed in 2023, was the third Act in that year and was passed by Senedd
What is the impact of HRA on Welsh legislation and what is the main difference?
The same rules apply for interpretation under s2 and s3 as for Westminster Acts
The BIG difference is that if an Act of Senedd is not compatible with ECHR, the court can strike it out as unlawful