Laws made in Wales, for Wales, still form part of the law of England and Wales. This is not the case in Scotland and Northern Ireland who have separate legal jurisdictions.
In March, the Welsh Government launched a public debate on whether Wales should be a separate legal jurisdiction. The closing date for responses to that consultation is Tuesday 19 June.
The Counsel General, Theodore Huckle QC said:
"Currently, all law passed for Wales, whether by the Assembly, Welsh Ministers, the Westminster Parliament or UK Government Ministers, becomes part of the law of England and Wales. This is because England and Wales share a single legal jurisdiction; and a single system of courts, judges and legal professions has grown up as a distinctive feature of that jurisdiction.
"We are clear that separate jurisdictions can exist within a United Kingdom. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own jurisdictions separate from that of England and Wales.
"The time is now right to consider whether or not there should be a separate legal jurisdiction for Wales. I would urge all those with an interest in this matter to take this opportunity to express their views on this important constitutional issue and to respond to the consultation."
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