OpenLegislation

Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011

2011 mwa 1 · Extends to England and Wales

Not fully up to date. 2 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 30 September 2026.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
Sch. 6words insertedWelsh Language and Education (Wales) Act 2025 s. 45(1)
Sch. 6words insertedDisused Mine and Quarry Tips (Wales) Act 2025 Sch. 1 para. 23

A Measure of the National Assembly for Wales to make provision about the official status of the Welsh language in Wales; to provide for a Welsh Language Partnership Council; to establish the Office of Welsh Language Commissioner; to provide for an Advisory Panel to the Welsh Language Commissioner; to make provision about promoting and facilitating the use of the Welsh language and treating the Welsh language no less favourably than the English language; to make provision about standards relating to the Welsh language (including duties to comply with those standards, and rights arising from the enforceability of those duties); to make provision about investigation of interference with the freedom to use the Welsh language; to establish a Welsh Language Tribunal; to abolish the Welsh Language Board and Welsh language schemes; and for connected purposes.

This Measure, passed by the National Assembly for Wales on 7 December 2010 and approved by Her Majesty in Council on 9 February 2011, enacts the following provisions:–

Contents

  1. Part 1: OFFICIAL STATUS OF THE WELSH LANGUAGE
  2. 1Official status of the Welsh language
  3. Part 2: THE WELSH LANGUAGE COMMISSIONER
  4. The Commissioner
  5. 2The Welsh Language Commissioner
  6. General duty
  7. 3The Commissioner's principal aim
  8. Functions
  9. 4Promoting and facilitating use of Welsh and treating Welsh no less favourably than English
  10. 5Production of 5-year reports
  11. 65-year reports: supplementary
  12. 7Inquiries
  13. 8Judicial review and other legal proceedings
  14. 9Legal assistance
  15. 10Legal assistance: costs
  16. 11Powers
  17. 12Staff
  18. 13Exercise of Commissioner's functions by staff
  19. 14Complaints procedure
  20. 15Seal and validity of documents
  21. 16Welsh Ministers' power of direction
  22. 17Consultation
  23. Annual reports
  24. 18Annual reports
  25. 19Annual reports: supplementary
  26. Working with other ombudsmen, commissioners etc
  27. 20Working jointly with the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales
  28. 21Working collaboratively with ombudsmen, commissioners etc
  29. Disclosure of information
  30. 22Power to disclose information
  31. Part 3: ADVISORY PANEL TO THE WELSH LANGUAGE COMMISSIONER
  32. 23Advisory Panel
  33. 24Consultation
  34. Part 4: STANDARDS
  35. Chapter 1: DUTY TO COMPLY WITH STANDARDS
  36. 25Duty to comply with a standard
  37. Chapter 2: STANDARDS AND THEIR SPECIFICATION
  38. Specification of standards
  39. 26Welsh Ministers to specify standards
  40. 27Specification of standards: supplementary provision
  41. Service delivery standards
  42. 28Service delivery standards
  43. Policy making standards
  44. 29Policy making standards
  45. Operational standards
  46. 30Operational standards
  47. Promotion standards
  48. 31Promotion standards
  49. Record keeping standards
  50. 32Record keeping standards
  51. Chapter 3: PERSONS LIABLE TO BE REQUIRED TO COMPLY WITH STANDARDS
  52. 33Persons liable to be required to comply with standards
  53. 34Persons who are within Schedules 5, 6, 7 and 8
  54. 35Amendment of persons and categories specified in Schedules 6 and 8
  55. Chapter 4: STANDARDS POTENTIALLY APPLICABLE
  56. 36Persons within Schedule 6
  57. 37Persons within Schedule 8
  58. 38Amendment of standards potentially applicable
  59. Chapter 5: STANDARDS THAT ARE SPECIFICALLY APPLICABLE
  60. 39Standards that are specifically applicable
  61. 40Duty to make standards specifically applicable
  62. 41Different standards relating to particular conduct
  63. 42Duty to make certain service delivery standards specifically applicable
  64. 43Limitation on power to make standards specifically applicable
  65. Chapter 6: COMPLIANCE NOTICES
  66. Compliance notices
  67. 44Compliance notices
  68. Giving compliance notices
  69. 45Giving compliance notices to any person
  70. 46Imposition days
  71. 47Consultation
  72. 48Giving compliance notices to contractors
  73. Varying compliance notices
  74. 49Varying compliance notices
  75. Revoking compliance notices
  76. 50Revoking compliance notices
  77. When compliance notice in force
  78. 51When compliance notice in force
  79. Publicising compliance notices
  80. 52Publicising compliance notices
  81. Cessation of requirement to comply with standard
  82. 53Cessation of requirement to comply with standard
  83. Chapter 7: RIGHT OF CHALLENGE
  84. 54Challenging future duties
  85. 55Challenging existing duties
  86. 56Applications to the Commissioner
  87. 57Determining an application
  88. 58Right of appeal
  89. 59Appeals from Tribunal
  90. 60Postponement of imposition of duty
  91. Chapter 8: STANDARDS INVESTIGATIONS AND REPORTS
  92. Standards investigations
  93. 61Standards investigations
  94. 62Power to carry out standards investigations
  95. 63Requirements when carrying out standards investigations
  96. Standards reports
  97. 64Standards report
  98. Welsh Ministers' power of direction
  99. 65Direction to carry out standards investigation
  100. Regard to be had to standards report
  101. 66Welsh Ministers to have due regard to report
  102. Chapter 9: GENERAL
  103. Exception for broadcasting
  104. 67Exception for broadcasting
  105. Codes of practice
  106. 68Codes of practice
  107. 69Failure to comply with codes
  108. Interpretation
  109. 70Interpretation
  110. Part 5: ENFORCEMENT OF STANDARDS
  111. Chapter 1: INVESTIGATING FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH STANDARDS ETC
  112. Investigations
  113. 71Investigating failure to comply with standards etc
  114. 72Discontinuing an investigation
  115. Determination of investigation
  116. 73Determination of investigation
  117. Investigation reports
  118. 74Investigation reports
  119. Decision notices
  120. 75Decision notices
  121. No failure to comply: Commissioner's options
  122. 76No failure to comply with a relevant requirement
  123. Failure to comply: Commissioner's options
  124. 77Failure to comply with a relevant requirement
  125. No imposed enforcement action
  126. 78No imposed enforcement action
  127. Preventing continuation or repetition of D's failure
  128. 79Requirement to prepare action plan or take steps
  129. 80Action plans
  130. Publicising D's failure to comply
  131. 81Publicising the failure to comply
  132. 82Requiring the failure to comply to be publicised
  133. Civil penalties
  134. 83Civil penalties
  135. 84Imposition of civil penalty
  136. Consultation
  137. 85Consultation before final determination etc
  138. 86Consultation before final determination following an appeal
  139. When enforcement action takes effect
  140. 87When enforcement action takes effect
  141. Enforcement by county court
  142. 88Failure to comply with requirement to take steps
  143. 89Failure to comply with action plan
  144. 90Failure to comply with requirement to publicise failure to comply
  145. Chapter 2: SETTLEMENT AGREEMENTS
  146. 91Settlement agreements
  147. 92Failure to comply with settlement agreement
  148. Chapter 3: NON-COMPLIANCE WITH STANDARDS: COMPLAINTS BY PERSONS AFFECTED
  149. 93Consideration of whether to investigate if conduct complained about
  150. 94Notification if no investigation etc
  151. Chapter 4: APPEALS
  152. 95Appeals to the Tribunal
  153. 96Powers of Tribunal on appeal
  154. 97Appeals from Tribunal
  155. 98Commissioner's duty on an appeal
  156. Chapter 5: APPEALS BY THE COMPLAINANT
  157. Appeals against a determination that D has not failed to comply with a standard
  158. 99Right of appeal by P
  159. 100Powers of Tribunal on appeal by P
  160. 101Appeals from Tribunal
  161. 102Commissioner's duty on an appeal by P
  162. Chapter 6: REVIEW BY THE COMPLAINANT
  163. Review of Commissioner's failure to investigate a complaint
  164. 103P's right of review
  165. 104Powers of Tribunal on review
  166. 105Appeals from Tribunal
  167. Chapter 7: ADDING A PARTY TO PROCEEDINGS
  168. 106Right to apply to be added as a party to proceedings
  169. Chapter 8: GENERAL
  170. Obstruction and contempt
  171. 107Obstruction and contempt
  172. Enforcement policy document
  173. 108Enforcement policy document
  174. Register of enforcement action
  175. 109Register of enforcement action
  176. Interpretation
  177. 110Interpretation
  178. Part 6: FREEDOM TO USE WELSH
  179. 111Application to Commissioner
  180. 112Welsh communications
  181. 113Interference with freedom to use Welsh
  182. 114Deciding whether to investigate
  183. 115Investigations
  184. 116Discontinuing investigations
  185. 117Concluding investigations
  186. 118Reports
  187. 119Annual report to Welsh Ministers
  188. Part 7: WELSH LANGUAGE TRIBUNAL
  189. The Tribunal
  190. 120The Welsh Language Tribunal
  191. 121Composition for proceedings before Tribunal
  192. 122Hearings in public
  193. Practice and procedure etc
  194. 123Welsh Language Tribunal Rules
  195. 124Practice directions
  196. 125Guidance, advice and information
  197. 126Supplementary powers
  198. Staff and other resources
  199. 127Staff, accommodation and other resources of Tribunal
  200. 128Specially qualified advisers
  201. Administrative matters
  202. 129Seal
  203. 130Financial year
  204. 131Vacancy in the office of President
  205. Reports, reviews and performance
  206. 132President's annual report
  207. 133Training etc for members of Tribunal
  208. Part 8: GENERAL
  209. Chapter 1: INTEGRITY
  210. 134Register of interests
  211. 135Publication of registers of interests
  212. 136Conflicts of interest
  213. 137Validity of acts
  214. 138Regulations
  215. 139Interpretation of this Chapter
  216. Chapter 2: DEFAMATION
  217. 140Absolute privilege
  218. 141Interpretation of this Chapter
  219. Chapter 3: RESTRICTIONS
  220. 142Restrictions
  221. Part 9: WELSH LANGUAGE BOARD, WELSH LANGUAGE SCHEMES ETC
  222. 143Abolition of Board and transfer of functions
  223. 144Abolition of Board's general functions and replacement of schemes with standards
  224. 145Replacement of Welsh language schemes with standards
  225. 146Other provision
  226. 147Supplementary
  227. Part 10: WELSH MINISTERS' WELSH LANGUAGE STRATEGY
  228. 148Welsh Ministers to prepare an action plan
  229. 149The Welsh Language Partnership Council
  230. Part 11: SUPPLEMENTARY
  231. 150Orders and regulations
  232. 151Directions
  233. 152Notices etc
  234. 153Interpretation of this Measure
  235. 154Transitional and consequential provision etc
  236. 155Extent
  237. 156Commencement
  238. 157Short title
  239. Schedule 1: THE WELSH LANGUAGE COMMISSIONER
  240. Part 1: STATUS ETC
  241. Status
  242. 1Paragraph 1
  243. Validity of acts
  244. 2Paragraph 2
  245. Part 2: APPOINTMENT
  246. Appointment
  247. 3Paragraph 3
  248. Remuneration, allowances and pensions
  249. 4Paragraph 4
  250. Terms of appointment
  251. 5Paragraph 5
  252. Duration of appointment
  253. 6Paragraph 6
  254. Appointment regulations
  255. 7Paragraph 7
  256. Delegation of appointment functions etc
  257. 8Paragraph 8
  258. Part 3: END OF APPOINTMENT
  259. Resignation
  260. 9Paragraph 9
  261. Disqualification
  262. 10Paragraph 10
  263. Dismissal
  264. 11Paragraph 11
  265. Payments on ceasing to hold office
  266. 12Paragraph 12
  267. Part 4: DISQUALIFICATION FROM BEING COMMISSIONER
  268. 13Paragraph 13
  269. Part 5: FINANCIAL MATTERS
  270. Payments by the Welsh Ministers
  271. 14Paragraph 14
  272. Financial year
  273. 15Paragraph 15
  274. Accounting officer
  275. 16Paragraph 16
  276. Estimates
  277. 17Paragraph 17
  278. Accounts
  279. 18Paragraph 18
  280. Audit
  281. 19Paragraph 19
  282. Examinations into the use of resources
  283. 20Paragraph 20
  284. Part 6: GENERAL
  285. Interpretation
  286. 21Paragraph 21
  287. Schedule 2: INQUIRIES BY THE COMMISSIONER
  288. Introduction
  289. 1Paragraph 1
  290. Terms of reference
  291. 2Paragraph 2
  292. 3Paragraph 3
  293. 4Paragraph 4
  294. 5Paragraph 5
  295. Representations
  296. 6Paragraph 6
  297. 7Paragraph 7
  298. Reports on inquiries
  299. 8Paragraph 8
  300. Schedule 3: AMENDMENTS ABOUT JOINT AND COLLABORATIVE WORKING
  301. Care Standards Act 2000
  302. 1Paragraph 1
  303. 2Paragraph 2
  304. 3Paragraph 3
  305. ... Not yet in force
  306. 4Paragraph 4 Not yet in force
  307. 5Paragraph 5 Not yet in force
  308. 6Paragraph 6 Not yet in force
  309. Commissioner for Older People (Wales) Act 2006
  310. 7Paragraph 7
  311. 8Paragraph 8
  312. 9Paragraph 9
  313. Schedule 4: MEMBERS OF THE ADVISORY PANEL
  314. Part 1: APPOINTMENT
  315. Appointment
  316. 1Paragraph 1
  317. Remuneration, allowances and pensions
  318. 2Paragraph 2
  319. Terms of appointment
  320. 3Paragraph 3
  321. Duration of appointment
  322. 4Paragraph 4
  323. Appointment regulations
  324. 5Paragraph 5
  325. Part 2: END OF APPOINTMENT
  326. Resignation
  327. 6Paragraph 6
  328. Disqualification from membership
  329. 7Paragraph 7
  330. Dismissal
  331. 8Paragraph 8
  332. Payments on ceasing to hold office
  333. 9Paragraph 9
  334. Part 3: DISQUALIFICATION
  335. Disqualification on grounds of employment
  336. 10Paragraph 10
  337. Part 4: GENERAL
  338. Interpretation
  339. 11Paragraph 11
  340. Schedule 5CATEGORIES OF PERSON THAT MAY BE ADDED TO SCHEDULE 6
  341. Entry (5): amendment by order
  342. 1Paragraph 1
  343. Entry (8): interpretation etc
  344. 2Paragraph 2
  345. Interpretation
  346. 3Paragraph 3
  347. Schedule 6PUBLIC BODIES ETC: STANDARDS
  348. Interpretation etc
  349. 1Paragraph 1
  350. 2Paragraph 2
  351. Schedule 7CATEGORIES OF PERSON THAT MAY BE ADDED TO SCHEDULE 8
  352. Services provided in shops: exclusions
  353. 1Paragraph 1
  354. Interpretation
  355. 2Paragraph 2
  356. Schedule 8OTHER BODIES: STANDARDS
  357. Interpretation
  358. 1Paragraph 1
  359. 2Paragraph 2
  360. Gas
  361. 3Paragraph 3
  362. Electricity
  363. 4Paragraph 4
  364. Postal services
  365. 5Paragraph 5
  366. Railways
  367. 6Paragraph 6
  368. Related services
  369. 7Paragraph 7
  370. Schedule 9: ACTIVITIES IN RELATION TO WHICH SERVICE DELIVERY STANDARDS MUST BE SPECIFIED
  371. Paragraph
  372. Schedule 10: COMMISSIONER'S INVESTIGATION OF FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH STANDARDS ETC
  373. Part 1: GENERAL
  374. Introduction
  375. 1Paragraph 1
  376. Terms of reference
  377. 2Paragraph 2
  378. Representations
  379. 3Paragraph 3
  380. 4Paragraph 4
  381. Part 2: INFORMATION, DOCUMENTS AND ORAL EVIDENCE
  382. Evidence notices
  383. 5Paragraph 5
  384. 6Paragraph 6
  385. Confidentiality etc
  386. 7Paragraph 7
  387. 8Paragraph 8
  388. Appeals
  389. 9Paragraph 9
  390. 10Paragraph 10
  391. Enforcement
  392. 11Paragraph 11
  393. Part 3: POWER OF ENTRY AND INSPECTION
  394. Power of entry and inspection
  395. 12Paragraph 12
  396. Schedule 11: THE WELSH LANGUAGE TRIBUNAL
  397. Part 1: NUMBER OF MEMBERS OF THE TRIBUNAL
  398. Legally-qualified members
  399. 1Paragraph 1
  400. Lay members
  401. 2Paragraph 2
  402. Part 2: APPOINTMENT
  403. The President
  404. 3Paragraph 3
  405. Legally-qualified members
  406. 4Paragraph 4
  407. Lay members
  408. 5Paragraph 5
  409. Remuneration etc
  410. 6Paragraph 6
  411. Terms of appointment
  412. 7Paragraph 7
  413. Duration of appointment
  414. 8Paragraph 8
  415. Appointment regulations
  416. 9Paragraph 9
  417. Part 2A: Cross-deployment of tribunal members
  419. 9AParagraph 9A
  420. Part 3: END OF APPOINTMENT
  421. Resignation
  422. 10Paragraph 10
  423. Disqualification from membership
  424. 11Paragraph 11
  425. Dismissal
  426. 12Paragraph 12
  427. Part 4: DISQUALIFICATION FROM MEMBERSHIP OR APPOINTMENT
  428. Disqualification from membership: employment
  429. 13Paragraph 13
  430. Disqualification from membership: unsuitability
  431. 14Paragraph 14
  432. Disqualification from appointment: age
  433. 15Paragraph 15
  434. Disqualification from appointment: previous appointment
  435. 16Paragraph 16
  436. Disqualification from appointment: previous dismissal from office
  437. 17Paragraph 17
  438. Part 5: GENERAL
  439. Interpretation
  440. 18Paragraph 18
  441. Schedule 12: ABOLITION OF WELSH LANGUAGE BOARD: OTHER PROVISION
  442. Staff of the Board
  443. 1Paragraph 1
  444. Property, rights and liabilities of the Board
  445. 2Paragraph 2
  446. Modification of 1993 Act in relation to functions transferred to Welsh Ministers
  447. 3Paragraph 3
  448. References to the Board
  449. 4Paragraph 4
  450. Continuation of legal proceedings, validity of acts etc
  451. 5Paragraph 5
  452. Interpretation
  453. 6Paragraph 6