(1)The Counsel General or the Attorney General may refer the question whether any provision of a Bill relates to a protected subject-matter to the Supreme Court for decision.
(2)Subject to subsection (3), the Counsel General or the Attorney General may make a reference in relation to a Bill—
(a)at any time during the period of four weeks beginning with the rejection of the Bill, if the Presiding Officer has decided under section 111A(3) that a provision of the Bill relates to a protected subject-matter, or
(b)at any time during the period of four weeks beginning with the passing of the Bill, if the Presiding Officer has decided under section 111A(3) that no provision of the Bill relates to a protected subject-matter, unless the number of Assembly members voting in favour of the Bill at its passing is at least two-thirds of the total number of Assembly seats.
(3)No reference may be made in relation to a Bill—
(a)by the Counsel General if the Counsel General has notified the Presiding Officer that no reference is to be made in relation to it by the Counsel General, or
(b)by the Attorney General if the Attorney General has notified the Presiding Officer that no reference is to be made in relation to it by the Attorney General.
(4)But subsection (3) does not apply if the Bill has, since the notification, been approved or rejected in accordance with standing orders made by virtue of section 111(7).]
Textual Amendments
F1Ss. 111A, 111B inserted (31.3.2017 for specified purposes, 1.4.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Wales Act 2017 (c. 4), ss. 9, 71(2)(c) (with Sch. 7 paras. 1, 6); S.I. 2017/1179, reg. 3(c)