Welsh language

The core of the law relating to the Welsh language is to be found in primary legislation (or 'statutes') made by either the UK Parliament or Senedd Cymru. The principal statutes which contain provisions that apply in relation to the Welsh language are:

• The Welsh Language Act 1993 (the 1993 Act)
• The Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011 (the Measure)

Orders and regulations (subordinate legislation) have been made under both the 1993 Act and the Measure.

Before April 2012, the Welsh Language Board was responsible for requiring certain public bodies who provide services to the public in Wales to have a Welsh language scheme and for monitoring their compliance with the scheme. Those bodies were required to prepare a scheme which specified how they proposed to give effect to the principle that in the conduct of public business and the administration of justice in Wales, the English and Welsh languages should be treated on a basis of equality.

The National Assembly passed the Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011 to reform the existing laws regarding the use of Welsh in the delivery of public services. The Welsh Language Board has been replaced by a Welsh Language Commissioner and the existing system of Welsh language schemes is gradually being replaced with standards of conduct relating to the Welsh language.

Further information about the role of the Welsh Language Commissioner is available on their website.