Programme to improve the accessibility of Welsh law 2026 to 2030: equality impact assessment

1. Title of proposal

Second programme to improve the accessibility of Welsh law

2. What is your proposal aiming to achieve?

As required under section 2 of the Legislation (Wales) Act 2019, to establish a programme aimed at improving the accessibility of Welsh law. ‘Accessibility’ is defined in section 1(2) of the 2019 Act and means that the law is readily available to members of the public in Welsh and English; published in an up-to-date form in both languages; clearly and logically organised (both within and between enactments); and easy to understand and certain in its effect.

3. When did work start on the proposal?

January 26 2026

4. Which organisations, groups or communities are likely to be affected?

Welsh law affects all communities, groups or communities but the extent to which they are affected depends on the individual enactments. The programme therefore has the potential to affect anyone who needs to access and understand the law. This can and will include the general public as well as legal professionals, legal commentators, law students and lecturers and others in the academic community, policy officials and public servants and Senedd Members.

5. Have you registered your EqIA on iShare?

Yes

Having reviewed the guidance and considered the activities expected to be undertaken as part of the proposal, we are satisfied that the proposal:

1. is unlikely to have different impacts on people in protected groups, and
2. has no potential to discriminate against people (directly or indirectly) in a protected group.

This is because where there are intended activities to consolidate and codify Welsh law, none of the legislation expected to be dealt with makes (as far as we can tell at this time) particular provision in relation to any of the protected groups. Where there are activities intended to facilitate the use of the Welsh language or to correct errors or resolve ambiguities, these activities are not limited to particular aspects of Welsh law.

The programme does intend to create a code of Tribunals law, and to support activities that may help facilitate the use of the Welsh language in relation to Welsh tribunals. At least one of the Welsh tribunals does touch upon people in one or more protected groups (particularly age and disability). However, there is a separate programme of work in relation to the Tribunals Bill and its subsequent implementation, and this is subject to a separate EqIA. Activities undertaken in the proposal to improve the accessibility of Welsh law will form part of that wider implementation programme and therefore the EqIA in relation to the Tribunals work programme is a more appropriate place to undertake that fuller assessment.

In relation to activities within the programme aimed at promoting awareness and understanding, again these are considered unlikely to have different impacts on, or the potential to discriminate against, people in protected groups. However, one proposed activity is intended to see how the diverse needs of users of legislation to access that legislation may be better supported. As this work has not yet been scoped, it is not yet possible to determine how or even whether persons in protected groups may be impacted. We therefore intend to keep this matter under review as we start that work. One of our partners in this programme, The National Archives, has undertaken (and keeps under review) their own equality impact assessments in relation to the publication of legislation for which the King’s Printer is responsible. In addition, the accessibility statement for legislation.gov.uk gives information on this, for example a request for large print and braille copies of legislation.

As such, we do not consider that an EqIA is required in relation to the proposal to improve the accessibility of Welsh law.

1. Is this EqIA ready for publication on the Welsh Government website?

Yes

2. If you cannot publish the EqIA please explain why

N/A.

3. Is this EqIA an update on a version previously published?

No

4. How will you monitor and evaluate progress on the equality issues identified in this EqIA?

As a full EqIA has not been undertaken further monitoring and evaluation is not required. However, should any matters arise during the implementation of the proposal that indicate the decision not to undertake a full EqIA should be revisited, this will be dealt with at that time.

We will also support the monitoring and evaluation of equality impact assessments undertaken for other proposals, where those proposals may touch upon our own work (for example, in relation to tribunals (see section B above).
 

Declaration by the Senior Responsible Officer (SRO):

I am satisfied that the impact of the proposal has been properly assessed and recorded in accordance with guidance, and that the requirement for publication has been duly considered.

Signature: Dylan Hughes

Department: Office of the Legislative Counsel

Date: 15 October 2026