Government of Wales Act 2006

Section 149

SCHEDULE 9 U.K. Devolution issues

Part 1 U.K. Preliminary

1 (1) In this Schedule “devolution issue” means— U.K.

(a) a question whether an Assembly Measure or Act of the Assembly, or any provision of an Assembly Measure or Act of the Assembly, is within the Assembly's legislative competence,

(b) a question whether any function (being a function which any person has purported, or is proposing, to exercise) is exercisable by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General,

(c) a question whether the purported or proposed exercise of a function by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General is, or would be, within the powers of the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General (including a question whether a purported or proposed exercise of a function is, or would be, outside those powers by virtue of section 80(8) or 81(1)),

(d) a question whether there has been any failure to comply with a duty imposed on the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General (including any obligation imposed by virtue of section 80(1) or (7)), or

(e) a question of whether a failure to act by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General is incompatible with any of the Convention rights.

(2) In this Schedule “civil proceedings” means proceedings other than criminal proceedings.

Commencement Information

I1 This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

2 U.K. A devolution issue is not to be taken to arise in any proceedings merely because of any contention of a party to the proceedings which appears to the court or tribunal before which the proceedings take place to be frivolous or vexatious.

Commencement Information

I2 This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Part 2 U.K. Proceedings in England and Wales

Application of Part 2 U.K.

3 U.K. This Part applies in relation to devolution issues in proceedings in England and Wales.

Commencement Information

I3 This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Institution of proceedings U.K.

4 (1) Proceedings for the determination of a devolution issue may be instituted by the Attorney General or the Counsel General. U.K.

(2) The Counsel General may defend any such proceedings instituted by the Attorney General.

(3) This paragraph does not limit any power to institute or defend proceedings exercisable apart from this paragraph by any person.

Commencement Information

I4 This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Notice of devolution issue U.K.

5 (1) A court or tribunal must order notice of any devolution issue which arises in any proceedings before it to be given to the Attorney General and the Counsel General (unless a party to the proceedings). U.K.

(2) A person to whom notice is given in pursuance of sub-paragraph (1) may take part as a party in the proceedings, so far as they relate to a devolution issue.

Commencement Information

I5 This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Reference of devolution issue to High Court or Court of Appeal U.K.

6 U.K. A magistrates' court may refer any devolution issue which arises in civil proceedings before it to the High Court.

Commencement Information

I6 This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

7 (1) A court may refer any devolution issue which arises in civil proceedings before it to the Court of Appeal. U.K.

(2) Sub-paragraph (1) does not apply—

(a) to a magistrates' court, the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court, or

(b) to the High Court if the devolution issue arises in proceedings on a reference under paragraph 6.

Commencement Information

I7 This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

8 U.K. A tribunal from which there is no appeal must refer any devolution issue which arises in proceedings before it to the Court of Appeal; and any other tribunal may make such a reference.

Commencement Information

I8 This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

9 U.K. A court, other than the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court, may refer any devolution issue which arises in criminal proceedings before it to—

(a) the High Court if the proceedings are summary proceedings, or

(b) the Court of Appeal if the proceedings are proceedings on indictment.

Commencement Information

I9 This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

References from Court of Appeal to Supreme Court U.K.

10 U.K. The Court of Appeal may refer any devolution issue which arises in proceedings before it (otherwise than on a reference under paragraph 7, 8 or 9) to the Supreme Court.

Commencement Information

I10 This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Appeals from superior courts to Supreme Court U.K.

11 U.K. An appeal against a determination of a devolution issue by the High Court or the Court of Appeal on a reference under paragraph 6, 7, 8 or 9 lies to the Supreme Court but only—

(a) with permission of the court from which the appeal lies, or

(b) failing such permission, with permission of the Supreme Court.

Commencement Information

I11 This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Part 3 U.K. Proceedings in Scotland

Application of Part 3 U.K.

12 U.K. This Part applies in relation to devolution issues in proceedings in Scotland.

Commencement Information

I12 This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Institution of proceedings U.K.

13 (1) Proceedings for the determination of a devolution issue may be instituted by the Advocate General for Scotland. U.K.

(2) The Counsel General may defend any such proceedings instituted by the Advocate General for Scotland.

(3) This paragraph does not limit any power to institute or defend proceedings exercisable apart from this paragraph by any person.

Commencement Information

I13 This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Intimation of devolution issue U.K.

14 (1) A court or tribunal must order intimation of any devolution issue which arises in any proceedings before it to be given to the Advocate General for Scotland and the Counsel General (unless a party to the proceedings). U.K.

(2) A person to whom notice is given in pursuance of sub-paragraph (1) may take part as a party in the proceedings, so far as they relate to a devolution issue.

Commencement Information

I14 This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Reference of devolution issue to higher court U.K.

15 U.K. A court, other than any court consisting of three or more judges of the Court of Session or the Supreme Court, may refer any devolution issue which arises in civil proceedings before it to the Inner House of the Court of Session.

Commencement Information

I15 This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

16 U.K. A tribunal from which there is no appeal must refer any devolution issue which arises in proceedings before it to the Inner House of the Court of Session; and any other tribunal may make such a reference.

Commencement Information

I16 This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

17 U.K. A court, other than any court consisting of two or more judges of the High Court of Justiciary, may refer any devolution issue which arises in criminal proceedings before it to the High Court of Justiciary.

Commencement Information

I17 This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

References from superior courts to Supreme Court U.K.

18 U.K. Any court consisting of three or more judges of the Court of Session may refer any devolution issue which arises in proceedings before it (otherwise than on a reference under paragraph 15 or 16) to the Supreme Court.

Commencement Information

I18 This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

19 U.K. Any court consisting of two or more judges of the High Court of Justiciary may refer any devolution issue which arises in proceedings before it (otherwise than on a reference under paragraph 17) to the Supreme Court.

Commencement Information

I19 This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Appeals from superior courts to Supreme Court U.K.

20 U.K. An appeal against a determination of a devolution issue by the Inner House of the Court of Session on a reference under paragraph 15 or 16 lies to the Supreme Court.

Commencement Information

I20 This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

21 U.K. An appeal against a determination of a devolution issue by—

(a) a court consisting of two or more judges of the High Court of Justiciary (whether in the ordinary course of proceedings or on a reference under paragraph 17), or

(b) a court consisting of three or more judges of the Court of Session from which there is no appeal to the Supreme Court apart from this paragraph,

lies to the Supreme Court, but only with permission of the court from which the appeal lies or, failing such permission, with permission of the Supreme Court.

Commencement Information

I21 This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Part 4 U.K. Proceedings in Northern Ireland

Application of Part 4 U.K.

22 U.K. This Part applies in relation to devolution issues in proceedings in Northern Ireland.

Commencement Information

I22 This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Institution of proceedings U.K.

23 (1) Proceedings for the determination of a devolution issue may be instituted by the Advocate General for Northern Ireland. U.K.

(2) The Counsel General may defend any such proceedings instituted by the Advocate General for Northern Ireland.

(3) This paragraph does not limit any power to institute or defend proceedings exercisable apart from this paragraph by any person.

Commencement Information

I23 This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Notice of devolution issue U.K.

24 (1) A court or tribunal must order notice of any devolution issue which arises in any proceedings before it to be given to the Advocate General for Northern Ireland and the Counsel General (unless a party to the proceedings). U.K.

(2) A person to whom notice is given in pursuance of sub-paragraph (1) may take part as a party in the proceedings, so far as they relate to a devolution issue.

Commencement Information

I24 This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Reference of devolution issue to Court of Appeal U.K.

25 U.K. A court, other than the Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland or the Supreme Court, may refer any devolution issue which arises in any proceedings before it to the Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland.

Commencement Information

I25 This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

26 U.K. A tribunal from which there is no appeal must refer any devolution issue which arises in proceedings before it to the Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland; and any other tribunal may make such a reference.

Commencement Information

I26 This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

References from Court of Appeal to Supreme Court U.K.

27 U.K. The Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland may refer any devolution issue which arises in proceedings before it (otherwise than on a reference under paragraph 25 or 26) to the Supreme Court.

Commencement Information

I27 This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Appeals from Court of Appeal to Supreme Court U.K.

28 U.K. An appeal against a determination of a devolution issue by the Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland on a reference under paragraph 25 or 26 lies to the Supreme Court but only—

(a) with permission of the Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland, or

(b) failing such permission, with permission of the Supreme Court.

Commencement Information

I28 This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Part 5 U.K. General

Direct references to Supreme Court U.K.

29 (1) The relevant officer may require any court or tribunal to refer to the Supreme Court any devolution issue which has arisen in any proceedings before it to which that person is a party. U.K.

(2) In sub-paragraph (1) “the relevant officer” means—

(a) in relation to proceedings in England and Wales, the Attorney General or the Counsel General,

(b) in relation to proceedings in Scotland, the Advocate General for Scotland, and

(c) in relation to proceedings in Northern Ireland, the Advocate General for Northern Ireland.

Commencement Information

I29 This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

30 (1) The Attorney General or the Counsel General may refer to the Supreme Court any devolution issue which is not the subject of proceedings. U.K.

(2) Where a reference is made under sub-paragraph (1) by the Attorney General in relation to a devolution issue which relates to the proposed exercise of a function by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General—

(a) the Attorney General must notify the Counsel General of that fact, and

(b) the function must not be exercised by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General in the manner proposed during the period beginning with the receipt of the notification and ending with the reference being decided or otherwise disposed of.

Commencement Information

I30 This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Costs U.K.

31 (1) A court or tribunal before which any proceedings take place may take account of any additional expense of the kind mentioned in sub-paragraph (3) in deciding any question as to costs or expenses. U.K.

(2) In deciding any such question the court or tribunal may award the whole or part of the additional expense as costs or expenses to the party who incurred it (whatever the decision on the devolution issue).

(3) The additional expense is any additional expense which the court or tribunal considers that any party to the proceedings has incurred as a result of the participation of any person in pursuance of paragraph 5, 14 or 24.

Commencement Information

I31 This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Procedure of courts and tribunals U.K.

32 U.K. Any power to make provision for regulating the procedure before any court or tribunal includes power to make provision for the purposes of this Schedule including, in particular, provision—

(a) for prescribing the stage in the proceedings at which a devolution issue is to be raised or referred,

(b) for the staying or sisting of proceedings for the purpose of any proceedings under this Schedule, and

(c) for determining the manner in which and the time within which any notice or intimation is to be given.

Commencement Information

I32 This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

References to be for decision U.K.

33 U.K. Any function conferred by this Schedule to refer a devolution issue to a court is to be construed as a function of referring the issue to the court for decision.

Commencement Information

I33 This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))