Can I firstly thank the Member for the opportunity of addressing my first question on the matter of a separate legal jurisdiction? It provides me with the opportunity of paying tribute to my predecessor for his work in relation to that matter, both as Counsel General and previously on the back benches. The commission’s work will ensure that there is going to be a holistic analysis of all the issues relevant to the question of jurisdiction and the implications of that, including on the legal profession in Wales. The legal profession is an important sector to the economy of Wales. It employs thousands of people and contributes hundreds of millions to the economy of Wales, and as part of the commission’s terms of reference, there is explicit reference to promoting the strength and sustainability of the Welsh legal services sector and maximising its contribution to the prosperity of Wales.

The joint jurisdiction of England and Wales no longer reflects the reality of devolution and the growing divergence of law in Wales and in England. The Welsh Government’s position has been stated on a number of occasions. His question is about a separate jurisdiction, but previously the Welsh Government has proposed a distinct jurisdiction that would involve England and Wales becoming distinct legal territories and importantly would allow solicitors and barristers to practice in both jurisdictions without barrier. There seems to me no reason why that is incompatible with a distinct or a separate jurisdiction, and in fact a new approach to jurisdiction could create new opportunities and new work and career structures. We look forward to the commission’s ideas around that.