OpenLegislation

Wales Act 2017

2017 c. 4 · Enacted 31 January 2017 · Extends to United Kingdom

Not fully up to date. 2 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 12 February 2026.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
Sch. 7 para. 8(3)(b)(i)omittedPlanning and Infrastructure Act 2025 s. 12(6)(d)
specified provision(s)transitional and savings provisions for commencing S.I. 2017/1179The Wales Act 2017 (Welsh Harbours) (Transitional Provisions and Savings) Regulations 2018 reg. 2 Sch.
An Act to amend the Government of Wales Act 2006 and the Wales Act 2014 and to make provision about the functions of the Welsh Ministers and about Welsh tribunals; and for connected purposes.[31st January 2017]

Be it enacted by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

Contents

  1. Part 1: Constitutional arrangements
  2. Permanence of the National Assembly for Wales and Welsh Government
  3. 1Permanence of the National Assembly for Wales and Welsh Government
  4. Convention about Parliament legislating on devolved matters
  5. 2Convention about Parliament legislating on devolved matters
  6. Legislative competence
  7. 3Legislative competence
  8. 4Devolved Welsh authorities
  9. Elections
  10. 5Power to make provision about elections
  11. 6Timing of elections
  12. 7Electoral registration: the digital service
  13. 8Elections of police and crime commissioners
  14. Other provision about legislation by the Assembly
  15. 9Super-majority requirement for certain legislation
  16. 10Super-majority requirement: amendments relating to procedure etc
  17. 11Introduction of Bills: justice impact assessment
  18. 12Submission of Bills for Royal Assent: role of Presiding Officer
  19. Other provision about the Assembly
  20. 13Financial control, accounts and audit
  21. 14Composition of Assembly committees
  22. 15Assembly proceedings: participation by UK Ministers etc
  23. 16Change of name of the Assembly etc: translation of references
  24. Taxation and borrowing
  25. 17Welsh rates of income tax: removal of referendum requirement
  26. 18Lending for capital expenditure
  27. Executive competence etc
  28. 19Functions of Welsh Ministers
  29. 20Implementation of EU law Repealed
  30. 21Transfer of Ministerial functions
  31. 22Consultation about cross-border bodies
  32. Part 2: Legislative and executive competence: further provision
  33. Onshore petroleum
  34. 23Onshore petroleum licensing
  35. 24Onshore petroleum: existing licences
  36. 25Onshore petroleum: right to use deep-level land in Wales
  37. Road transport
  38. 26Roads: speed limits, pedestrian crossings and traffic signs
  39. 27Bus service registration and traffic commissioners
  40. 28Taxis: transfer of functions to Welsh Ministers
  41. Harbours: transfer of executive functions
  42. 29Welsh harbours
  43. 30Amendments of Harbours Act 1964
  44. 31Application of general provisions to transfer of functions in sections 29 and 30
  45. 32Reserved trust ports
  46. 33Development consent
  47. Harbours: consultation and consent requirements
  48. 34Exercise of functions in relation to cross-border harbours
  49. 35Cross-border exercise of pilotage functions
  50. 36Exercise of functions in relation to two or more harbours
  51. 37Consequential amendments to consent requirements in Harbours Act 1964
  52. 38Sections 34 to 37: supplementary
  53. Planning for electricity generating stations
  54. 39Development consent for generating stations with 350MW capacity or less
  55. 40Generating stations and public rights of navigation
  56. 41Safety zones around renewable energy installations
  57. 42Overhead lines associated with devolved Welsh generating stations
  58. 43Alignment of associated development consent
  59. Equal opportunities
  60. 44Equal opportunities: public sector equality duty
  61. 45Public sector duty regarding socio-economic inequalities
  62. Marine licensing and conservation
  63. 46Marine licensing in the Welsh offshore region
  64. 47Marine conservation zones
  65. Water etc
  66. 48Water and sewerage Not yet in force
  67. 49Modification of water-related functions
  68. 50Water protocol
  69. 51Reciprocal cross-border duties in relation to water
  70. 52Repeal of intervention powers relating to water
  71. Miscellaneous
  72. 53Transfer of functions in relation to fishing vessels
  73. 54Transfer of functions in relation to excepted energy buildings
  74. 55Renewable energy incentive schemes
  75. 56Financial assistance for inland waterway and sea freight
  76. 57Maritime and Coastguard Agency
  77. 58Gaming machines on licensed betting premises
  78. Part 3: Welsh tribunals
  79. 59The Welsh tribunals
  80. 60President of Welsh Tribunals
  81. 61Directions as to practice and procedure
  82. 62Cross-deployment of members of the Welsh tribunals
  83. 63Cross-deployment of tribunal members and judges
  84. 64Power to amend section 63
  85. Part 4: Miscellaneous
  86. 65Provision of information to the Office for Budget Responsibility
  87. 66Gas and Electricity Markets Authority
  88. 67Licensing of coal-mining operations: approval by Welsh Ministers
  89. 68Office of Communications
  90. Part 5: General
  91. 69Consequential provision
  92. 70Transitional provision and savings
  93. 71Commencement
  94. 72Short title
  95. Schedule 1: New Schedule 7A to the Government of Wales Act 2006
  96. Paragraph
  97. Schedule 2: New Schedule 7B to the Government of Wales Act 2006
  98. Paragraph
  99. Schedule 3: New Schedule 9A to the Government of Wales Act 2006
  100. Paragraph
  101. Schedule 4: New Schedule 3A to the Government of Wales Act 2006
  102. Paragraph
  103. Schedule 5: President of Welsh Tribunals
  104. Part 1: Appointment
  105. Duty to fill vacancies
  106. 1Paragraph 1
  107. The two routes to appointment: agreement under this paragraph or selection under Part 2
  108. 2Paragraph 2
  109. Part 2: Selection by the Judicial Appointments Commission
  110. Eligibility for selection
  111. 3Paragraph 3
  112. The selection process
  113. 4Paragraph 4
  114. Merit and good character
  115. 5Paragraph 5
  116. Encouragement of diversity
  117. 6Paragraph 6
  118. Regulations about selection
  119. 7Paragraph 7
  120. Withdrawal and modification of requests
  121. 8Paragraph 8
  122. Effect of acceptance of selection
  123. 9Paragraph 9
  124. Part 3: Terms of office
  125. Tenure, removal, resignation etc
  126. 10Paragraph 10
  127. 11Paragraph 11
  128. 12Paragraph 12
  129. Remuneration, allowances and expenses
  130. 13Paragraph 13
  131. Oaths
  132. 14Paragraph 14
  133. Schedule 6: Minor and consequential amendments
  134. Part 1: Amendments of the Government of Wales Act 2006
  135. 1Paragraph 1
  136. 2Paragraph 2
  137. 3Paragraph 3
  138. 4Paragraph 4
  139. 5Paragraph 5
  140. 6Paragraph 6
  141. 7Paragraph 7
  142. 8Paragraph 8
  143. 9Paragraph 9
  144. 10Paragraph 10
  145. 11Paragraph 11
  146. 12Paragraph 12
  147. 13Paragraph 13
  148. 14Paragraph 14
  149. Part 2: Amendments relating to onshore petroleum
  150. Petroleum Act 1998 (c. 17)
  151. 15Paragraph 15
  152. 16Paragraph 16
  153. 17Paragraph 17
  154. 18Paragraph 18
  155. Oil Taxation Act 1975 (c. 22)
  156. 19Paragraph 19
  157. 20Paragraph 20
  158. Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 (c. 12)
  159. 21Paragraph 21
  160. Finance Act 1993 (c. 34)
  161. 22Paragraph 22
  162. Capital Allowances Act 2001 (c. 2)
  163. 23Paragraph 23
  164. Energy Act 2004 (c. 20)
  165. 24Paragraph 24
  166. Corporation Tax Act 2010 (c. 4)
  167. 25Paragraph 25
  168. 26Paragraph 26
  169. 27Paragraph 27
  170. Infrastructure Act 2015 (c. 7)
  171. 28Paragraph 28
  172. 29Paragraph 29
  173. 30Paragraph 30
  174. 31Paragraph 31
  175. 32Paragraph 32
  176. Part 3: Other amendments
  177. National Audit Act 1983 (c. 44)
  178. 33Paragraph 33
  179. 34Paragraph 34
  180. 35Paragraph 35
  181. Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (c. 27)
  182. 36Paragraph 36
  183. 37Paragraph 37
  184. 38Paragraph 38
  185. 39Paragraph 39
  186. 40Paragraph 40
  187. 41Paragraph 41
  188. 42Paragraph 42
  189. 43Paragraph 43
  190. Transport Act 1985 (c. 67)
  191. 44Paragraph 44
  192. 45Paragraph 45
  193. Road Traffic Act 1988 (c. 52)
  194. 46Paragraph 46
  195. Electricity Act 1989 (c. 29)
  196. 47Paragraph 47
  197. 48Paragraph 48
  198. 49Paragraph 49
  199. 50Paragraph 50
  200. 51Paragraph 51
  201. Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 (c. 37)
  202. 52Paragraph 52
  203. Judicial Pensions and Retirement Act 1993 (c. 8)
  204. 53Paragraph 53
  205. Government of Wales Act 1998 (c. 38)
  206. 54Paragraph 54
  207. 55Paragraph 55
  208. Care Standards Act 2000 (c. 14)
  209. 56Paragraph 56
  210. Local Government Act 2000 (c. 22)
  211. 57Paragraph 57
  212. 58Paragraph 58
  213. Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 (c. 31)
  214. 59Paragraph 59
  215. Energy Act 2004 (c. 20)
  216. 60Paragraph 60
  217. 61Paragraph 61
  218. Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4)
  219. 62Paragraph 62
  220. Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2005 (c. 10)
  221. 63Paragraph 63
  222. Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005 (c. 11)
  223. 64Paragraph 64
  224. Commissioner for Older People (Wales) Act 2006 (c. 30)
  225. 65Paragraph 65
  226. Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006 (c. 51)
  227. 66Paragraph 66
  228. 67Paragraph 67
  229. Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 (c. 15)
  230. 68Paragraph 68
  231. Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007 (c. 18)
  232. 69Paragraph 69
  233. Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Act 2007 (c. 17)
  234. 70Paragraph 70
  235. Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008 (c. 13)
  236. 71Paragraph 71
  237. Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (c. 22)
  238. 72Paragraph 72
  239. Climate Change Act 2008 (c. 27)
  240. 73Paragraph 73
  241. Planning Act 2008 (c. 29)
  242. 74Paragraph 74
  243. 75Paragraph 75
  244. 76Paragraph 76
  245. Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23)
  246. 77Paragraph 77
  247. 78Paragraph 78
  248. 79Paragraph 79
  249. 80Paragraph 80
  250. 81Paragraph 81
  251. Welfare Reform Act 2009 (c. 24)
  252. 82Paragraph 82
  253. Equality Act 2010 (c. 15)
  254. 83Paragraph 83
  255. 84Paragraph 84
  256. Flood and Water Management Act 2010 (c. 29)
  257. 85Paragraph 85
  258. Budget Responsibility and National Audit Act 2011 (c. 4)
  259. 86Paragraph 86
  260. 87Paragraph 87
  261. Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13)
  262. 88Paragraph 88
  263. Localism Act 2011 (c. 20)
  264. 89Paragraph 89
  265. 90Paragraph 90
  266. 91Paragraph 91
  267. Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011 (nawm 1)
  268. 92Paragraph 92
  269. Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (c. 9)
  270. 93Paragraph 93
  271. The Special Educational Needs Tribunal for Wales Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/ 322 (W.53))
  272. 94Paragraph 94
  273. Energy Act 2013 (c. 32)
  274. 95Paragraph 95
  275. Public Audit (Wales) Act 2013 (anaw 3)
  276. 96Paragraph 96
  277. Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 (c. 12)
  278. 97Paragraph 97
  279. Water Act 2014 (c. 21)
  280. 98Paragraph 98
  281. Wales Act 2014 (c. 29)
  282. 99Paragraph 99
  283. 100Paragraph 100
  284. 101Paragraph 101
  285. Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 (c. 6)
  286. 102Paragraph 102
  287. 103Paragraph 103
  288. 104Paragraph 104
  289. Deregulation Act 2015 (c. 20)
  290. 105Paragraph 105
  291. Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 (c. 26)
  292. 106Paragraph 106
  293. 107Paragraph 107 Repealed
  294. 108Paragraph 108
  295. 109Paragraph 109
  296. 110Paragraph 110
  297. Housing and Planning Act 2016 (c. 22)
  298. 111Paragraph 111
  299. 112Paragraph 112
  300. Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19)
  301. 113Paragraph 113
  302. Schedule 7: Transitional provisions
  303. Main transitional provisions about the Assembly's legislative competence
  304. 1Paragraph 1
  305. 2Paragraph 2
  306. Power to alter name of the Assembly etc; financial control, accounts and audit
  307. 3Paragraph 3
  308. Repeals of sections 105 and 106 of the 2006 Act
  309. 4Paragraph 4
  310. 5Paragraph 5
  311. Transfer of functions
  312. 6Paragraph 6
  313. Water Act 2014
  314. 7Paragraph 7
  315. Development consent for generating stations
  316. 8Paragraph 8
  317. Marine licensing in the Welsh offshore region
  318. 9Paragraph 9
  319. Safety zones around renewable energy installations
  320. 10Paragraph 10
  321. 11Paragraph 11