Written Statement: Report on the implementation of Law Commission proposals

I am pleased to lay before the Assembly today, the fifth annual report on the Welsh Government’s implementation of Law Commission proposals. 

Under Section 3C of the Law Commissions Act 1965, as inserted by Section 25 of the Wales Act 2014, the Welsh Ministers are required to report annually on the extent to which Law Commission proposals relating to Welsh devolved matters have been implemented.

This report covers the period from 16 February 2019 to 14 February 2020, and provides Members with an update about a number of areas that relate to Law Commission proposals as well as information on current and future Law Commission projects.

Progress has been made over the last twelve months on a range of issues that have been the subject of Law Commission recommendations. We have taken significant steps in relation to improving the form and accessibility of Welsh law, including through the Legislation (Wales) Act 2019 which places duties on Welsh Ministers and the Counsel General. We have consulted on a White Paper on improving public transport in Wales, which took account of the Law Commission’s recommendations about taxi and private hire services. We published an interim response to the Law Commission’s review of planning law in Wales, and are undertaking detailed consideration of the full set of recommendations. We continue to work closely with UK Government departments on the new procedural arrangements for authorising care and treatment that amount to a deprivation of a person’s liberty to ensure they accurately reflect the legislative landscape and health and social care sector in Wales.

This report also provides information about how we have engaged with the Law Commission on its current and future projects, including leasehold and commonhold reform.

The Welsh Government regards the proposals of the Law Commission with great importance, as demonstrated by the progress set out in the report.