Mental Health Review Tribunal for Wales (Membership) Act 2026
The Mental Health Review Tribunal for Wales (Membership) Act 2026 (“the 2026 Act”) makes amendments to the qualifying criterion for medical membership of the Mental Health Review Tribunal for Wales; and makes connected retrospective provision about the validity of previous appointments to and membership of that Tribunal.
The 2026 Act:
provides that medical members of that Tribunal must be registered medical practitioners (defined as being a fully registered person within the meaning of the Medical Act 1983), but do not need to hold a licence to practise under that Act;
places a duty on the Welsh Ministers to carry out a review of the training arrangements which are maintained by the President of Welsh Tribunals under section 60(5)(a) of the Wales Act 2017 for medical members of the Mental Health Review Tribunal for Wales who do not hold licences to practise under the Medical Act 1983;
places a further duty on the Welsh Ministers to publish a report of the review no later than 12 months after the day on which the Act comes into force.
The Explanatory Notes to the 2026 Act provide detailed commentary on the various provisions (a link to the Explanatory Notes on legislation.gov.uk will be published once available; see also the Explanatory Memorandum, below).
Coming into force
In accordance with section 3 of the 2026 Act, all provisions of the Act came into force on 22 January 2026. No commencement orders were required.
Subordinate legislation made under the 2026 Act
The 2026 Act contains no subordinate legislation making powers.
Consideration of the legislation by the Senedd
The Bill was introduced to the Senedd under emergency procedures on 13 January 2026 by the (then) Counsel General and Minister for Delivery. It was passed by the Senedd on 14 January 2026 and received Royal Assent on 21 January 2026.
More information about the 2026 Act is provided on the Senedd website including a record of the Bill’s passage through the Senedd.
An Explanatory Memorandum was originally prepared for consideration by the Senedd alongside the Bill. This has now been revised and updated to reflect the final form of the 2026 Act.
Related articles and information
Information on the Mental Health Review Tribunal for Wales (GOV.WALES)
https://www.gov.wales/mental-health-review-tribunal-wales