about the act: the government of wales act 2006
The Welsh Assembly Government describes the Act as meaning
"big change" for a "small country." The changes made are
significant particulary because of their effect on the development
of Welsh law and the concept of Legal Wales.
- It changes the electoral arrangements. Candidates can only stand either in a constituency or on a regional list
- It dismantles the previous constitutional settlement and creates three entirely separate bodies:
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the Welsh Assembly Government which is the executive and is made up of the First Minister: the Counsel General together with the Welsh Ministers and the Deputy Welsh Ministers ( there can be no more than a total group of 12 of the latter two categories)
-
the National Assembly for Wales comprising an unincorporated association of 60 members which can make new law by means of Assembly Measures
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The National Assembly Commission: a body corporate which provides support functions to the Assembly
- It gives the Assembly the power to make its own law by means of Assembly Measures (which is the equivalent of primary legislation) in those devolved areas where it gains legislative competence. The devolved areas are listed as "Fields" in Schedule 5 of the Act. This means that in certain devolved areas Welsh law will diverge from England law.
- It includes the right for the Assembly to hold a future referendum to enable the Assembly to hold full law making powers similar to those enjoyed in Scotland
Lawyers acting in Wales will need to understand the effect of the consitutional changes. Morgan Cole can help you to understand the new powers and to track though proposal for new legislation and to advise as to its effect.
