9. Debate: The President of the Welsh Tribunals Annual Report 2021-22

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:09 pm on 21 March 2023.

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Photo of Rhys ab Owen Rhys ab Owen Plaid Cymru 5:09, 21 March 2023

We often discuss, in this place, about devolving justice, and you'll hear arguments being said that we can't possibly have a Welsh justice jurisdiction, but here we have it. Today, we have proof that there is a small Welsh jurisdiction within the Welsh Tribunals service that deals with—as Jenny Rathbone reminded us—very important aspects of daily life: mental health; education; housing. Now, there is no coherency at all within the Welsh tribunals. The fact that there is now some coherency is due to the work of Sir Wyn, and I'd like to reiterate the tribute paid to him.

A big argument in favour of the devolution of justice to Wales is that what we have already we are doing well. I can't say we can always say that about the Welsh tribunals. I reiterate what Heledd Fychan said: the importance of a proper budget for the Welsh tribunals in going forward. For example, we often criticize the state of courts and tribunals within the reserved system, but the truth is that the centres within the Welsh tribunals are not very good, and I'm not even sure whether we had some fixed centres for some areas. For example, there used to be a centre in Southgate House, here in the centre of Cardiff—very convenient for public transport—and that has now closed. I know there was talk about the future of the centre in Newport. So, I'd like to hear, Gwnsler Cyffredinol, about what's happening with the Welsh tribunal centres.

I'd also like to hear when do you think we'll have an appeal tribunal here in Wales. When will it open? Not only will it be historical, but also it will make it far easier for people to know the appeal system, because it's all over the shop at the moment. I see the Welsh tribunals as playing a crucial role in access to justice, as Jenny Rathbone also mentioned.