Rt Hon Elfyn Llwyd Counsel General

• Provision of legal advice to the government
• Oversight of UK Legislation and the legislative consent process
• Legal advice on strengthening devolution and constitutional change
• Oversight of the work of the Legal Services Department and Office of the Legislative Counsel
• Welsh Tribunals
• Oversight of prosecutions on behalf of the Welsh Government
• Oversight of representation of the Welsh Government in the courts
• Consideration of whether Bills passed by the Senedd need to be referred to the Supreme Court for determination as to whether they are within the Senedd's competence (exercised independently of Government)
• Performance of other functions in the public interest including, where the Counsel General considers is appropriate, institute, defend or appear in any legal proceedings relating to functions of the Welsh Government (exercised independently of government)
• Liaison with the Legal Sector and Law Council for Wales
• Accessibility of Welsh law
• Access to Justice

Personal history

The Right Honourable Elfyn Llwyd is a Welsh barrister and politician. Born in Betws-y-Coed, Gwynedd, Wales, Llwyd was raised in Betws y Coed and later went to University of Wales, Aberystwyth, and Chester Law College.

A fluent Welsh and English speaker, Llwyd is married to Welsh folk singer Eleri Llwyd, and they have two children. His hobbies include pigeon breeding, reading, travelling and rugby.

Professional and political background and history

Llwyd worked as a solicitor and subsequently a barrister, being called to the bar in 1997, before election to public office. Between 1990 and 1991 he served as President of the Gwynedd Law Society.

Llwyd was the Member of Parliament for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy in the House of Commons from the 1992 general election until its abolition in 2010, and then for its principal successor constituency of Dwyfor Meirionnydd from 2010 until his retirement in 2015. Llwyd was Plaid Cymru's Westminster parliamentary group leader.

On 16 May 2011, Llwyd was elected to Privy Council.

He was announced in August 2021 as the Pro-Chancellor of Aberystwyth University.

In August 2025 Llwyd was appointed Honorary Lawyer to the Gorsedd of bards.

On 13 May 2026, Elfyn Llwyd was appointed Counsel General.