9. Debate: The General Principles of the Legislation (Wales) Bill

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:58 pm on 2 April 2019.

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Photo of Jeremy Miles Jeremy Miles Labour 5:58, 2 April 2019

Diolch, Llywydd. I'd like to thank all the Members who've participated in the debate today. I've particularly enjoyed some of the conceptual discussions, but I think the measure of the success or otherwise of the Bill will be felt in the practical application of its provisions to the lives of citizens in Wales. I'm grateful for the support that Members have given, starting with the contribution that Mick Antoniw made. I'm pleased to hear him restate my understanding that the committee recommends the principles should be agreed. He spoke about the importance not just of the accessibility of law, but of access to law more broadly. I full-heartedly endorse that objective. It's one of the driving ambitions of the Bill. Yes, the democratic accountability argument is very important, but equally important, and to my mind a key driver of the Bill, is the social justice argument. It's incumbent on governments and legislatures to make the law accessible in the lives of citizens, in particular at a time when they find it harder and harder to access legal representation, as we know.

He referred to a number of recommendations. Just to address a few points in relation to recommendation 4, there will be a programme of work around accessibility more broadly, developing further commentary, developing the Law Wales website, and the glossary of terms in the Welsh language.