Legal Service

The Legal Service Directorate provides the following service:

• Advice on Orders and Measures;
• Advice on legislative competence;
• Scrutiny of Subordinate Legislation and
• Corporate Advice.

Advice on Orders and Measures

The team is responsible for advising the National Assembly for Wales, its Committees and the Presiding Officer on the scope and content of draft Orders in Council and Assembly Measures.

Advice on legislative competence

The team interprets the Government of Wales Act 2006 and ensures that all activities undertaken are within its competence. This includes providing advice to the Presiding Officer and Deputy Presiding Officer in plenary sessions of the Assembly, and in decisions about the admissibility of motions and questions from Assembly Members.

Scrutiny of Subordinate Legislation

The team provides legal advice to the Committee on the Scrutiny of Subordinate Legislation.

Corporate Advice

The team provides legal advice to the Assembly Commission, the Chief Executive and Clerk, and the Chief Operating Officer on a range of issues that arise from the Assembly Commission’s responsibilities over property, staff and services.