Julie James MS Counsel General and Minister for Delivery

• Provision of legal advice to the Government
• Oversight of the work of the Legal Services Department and Office of the Legislative Counsel
• Welsh Tribunals 
• Oversight of the timetable for, and delivery of, the Legislative Programme
• Oversight of prosecutions on behalf of the Welsh Government
• Oversight of representation of the Welsh Government in the courts
• Consideration of whether Bills passed by the Senedd need to be referred to the Supreme Court for determination as to whether they are within the Senedd’s competence (exercised independently of Government)
• Performance of other functions in the public interest including, where the Counsel General considers is appropriate, institute, defend or appear in any legal proceedings relating to functions of the Welsh Government (exercised independently of government)
• Liaison with the Legal Sector and Law Council for Wales
• Accessibility of Welsh law
• Access to Justice
• Oversight of UK Legislation and the legislative consent process
• Internal oversight of delivery of the Government’s priorities

*Senedd Questions relating to the delivery of individual Programme for Government commitments should be directed to the responsible portfolio minister.

Julie James was born in Swansea but spent significant portions of her youth living around the world with her family. Julie spent her early career in London and moved back to Swansea with her husband to raise their 3 children and to be closer to family. Julie is a committed green campaigner, environmentalist and a keen swimmer and skier.

Until she was elected as Member of the Senedd for Swansea West, Julie was a leading environmental and constitutional lawyer. Prior to this, she was Assistant Chief Executive at City and County Swansea Council. Julie spent most of her legal career in local government, working as a policy lawyer with the London Borough of Camden before returning to Swansea to work for West Glamorgan County Council and then the City and County of Swansea.

Since being elected, Julie sat on the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee, Enterprise and Business Committee and Environment and Sustainability Committee. Julie published the ‘Influencing the Modernisation of EU Procurement Policy’ Report as Chair of the Enterprise and Business Committee’s Procurement Task and Finish Group. Julie also sat as Chair of the Environment and Sustainability Committee’s Common Fisheries Policy Task and Finish Group.

Julie was appointed Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology in September 2014. In May 2016, Julie was appointed as Minister for Skills and Science. Julie was appointed Leader of the House and Chief Whip on 3 November 2017. On 13 December 2018, Julie was appointed Minister for Housing and Local Government. Julie was appointed Minister for Climate Change on 13 May 2021, and Cabinet Secretary for Housing, Local Government and Planning on 21 March 2024. Julie was appointed Counsel General Designate and Minister for Delivery on 11 September 2024.  She was appointed formally as Counsel General by His Majesty the King on 20 September 2024.