New website shows how Welsh laws differ from rest of UK

As the Welsh Government publishes its final scheduled Bill of this National Assembly term, a new website has been launched to help people better understand the way laws in Wales are starting to diverge from the rest of the UK.

The Law Wales site has been spearheaded by the Welsh Counsel General, Theodore Huckle QC, working with legal publishers Westlaw UK, to raise awareness of the growing body of Welsh law being passed by the National Assembly for Wales and made by the Welsh Ministers.

The National Assembly can pass laws for Wales provided they relate to the 20 specified devolved areas of economic, social and cultural importance to citizens, including health, education, agriculture, transport, housing and the environment.

Nearly 30 new Welsh Acts are expected to be passed during the Fourth Assembly (2011-2016). These join Measures passed in the previous Assembly term which, taken together, mean there are now significant differences in the law in Wales in many areas compared with other parts of the UK.

For example:

• Landlords in Wales must soon, by law, join a compulsory register and licencing scheme designed to protect tenants’ rights.
• All businesses preparing food in Wales have a legal duty to display their food hygiene rating, under a law brought in to improve standards for consumers.
• From December 1st, there will be a new ‘opt out’ system of organ donation in Wales, aimed at increasing the number of organs available for life-saving transplants.

Counsel General Theodore Huckle QC said:

“With more and more laws being passed affecting only Wales, it’s absolutely vital that people here and beyond understand the growing changes in areas like health, education and housing, to name but a few.

“The Law Wales website is designed not only to raise citizens’ awareness of the ways in which these new laws affect their everyday lives, but also the system under which they are developed, scrutinised, and passed.

“I’m delighted that through our partnership with Westlaw UK, the site will be further developed to include rich, in-depth content and analysis aimed at those working in the legal system in Wales.”

Daniel Greenberg from Westlaw UK said:

“Westlaw UK is absolutely delighted to be able to contribute to this vital public service initiative, which will improve access to laws for the citizen.”

First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones said:

“As a barrister and a legislator, I am acutely aware of how complex the law can be. I am delighted that the Welsh Government is leading the way in the UK by developing this information service.”