SENEDD Members urged ministers to press ahead with urgently needed reforms of the Welsh tribunal system or risk leaving the courts unable to cope with demand.

Adam Price, Plaid Cymru’s shadow justice minister, warned the clock is ticking on the Welsh Government’s proposals to modernise and unify Wales’ tribunal system.

The proposals followed 2021 recommendations for reform from the Law Commission, which warned the devolved tribunals evolved haphazardly and “it is difficult to call them a ‘system’”.

But, with only a year to go until the next Senedd election, the Welsh Government has rejected calls to commit to bringing forward a tribunal bill before the end of term.

Mr Price, whose partner is a judge in the non-devolved tribunal system, described ministers’ refusal to commit to the “absolutely crucial” legislation as deeply troubling.

“We need this legislation now,” he said. “It’s essential to resolve the significant operational, financial and administrative challenges facing Welsh tribunals today.

“Delaying this essential legislation is not prudent governance. It’s negligence, actually.

“It risks leaving our tribunals unable to cope with current demands, let alone future responsibilities, such as youth justice or education appeals. It weakens Wales’ justice infrastructure and compromises our commitment to fair and accessible justice.”

Contributing to a debate on the Welsh tribunal president’s annual report, Mr Price called for full transparency around plans to devolve further parts of the justice system to Wales.

He said: “Anything less, in our view, would be an abdication of responsibility – leaving Wales’ justice system underserved, undervalued and ill-prepared for the challenges ahead.”

Labour’s Mike Hedges, who chairs the Senedd’s justice committee, similarly stressed the importance of introducing legislation on tribunals as soon as possible.

The Tories’ Paul Davies echoed this position. He also raised concerns about training, with the judicial college having no remit to train devolved tribunal members.

“My concern is this mirrors slow progress with the reform of the Welsh tribunals,” he said.

He added that use of the Welsh language remains low in the legal system.

Mr ab Owen warned: “If it doesn’t happen before the 2026 election, there is no guarantee that it will happen at all. I think it’s quite something how strongly in favour the president of the Welsh tribunals was for reform in his report – that cannot be ignored.”

Responding to the debate on March 11, Julie James said the First Minister will make a statement on the Welsh Government’s legislative plans shortly after Easter.

Ms James, who is counsel general, the Welsh Government’s chief legal adviser, said: “We’re still fully committed to reforming the devolved tribunals.

“But I’m not in a position to say yet whether the tribunals Bill will make it into that programme. There is much competition for space in year five.”

Ms James told the Senedd the Welsh tribunals budget has increased from £4.1m to £6m.

“That’s a real commitment to making sure our tribunals have the resources they need,” she said. “We’ve reinstated pay parity for tribunal members, with an 8% uplift, bringing their pay in line with those in the reserved system.”

TERRAQUEST will take over the provision of its Planning Portal service for planning applications across Wales starting 31 March 2025, following a new agreement with the Welsh Government.

The Planning Portal, already in use for over 97% of planning applications in England, will allow Welsh applicants to submit planning applications and receive essential updates regarding sites in Wales.

The service will be fully bilingual, offering both Welsh and English language options. Existing users of Planning Applications Wales will retain their accounts and can easily transfer to the new system.

Applicants will benefit from enhanced services, including standardised payment options across all 25 Welsh authorities, which will streamline the submission process and reduce invalid applications.

Additionally, the Planning Portal will feature a built-in location plan tool, capable of generating compliant plans, capturing spatial data, and transferring it digitally to Welsh authorities—reducing the need for third-party tools.

The new portal will also offer developers working in both England and Wales a consistent experience across both countries.

Plans are in place to add more features, such as integration with building control applications, ensuring a comprehensive service from a single platform.

Rebecca Evans, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, said: “We are committed to streamlining the planning process in Wales and speeding up decision-making on key projects. This seamless transition to a trusted partner will help ensure consistency and efficiency, benefiting both applicants and the planning process.”

Geoff Keal, CEO of TerraQuest, said: “We are excited to deliver both a smooth transition and an improved experience for users. The Planning Portal is a proven tool that has successfully supported thousands of applicants in keeping track of their applications. We look forward to working closely with the Welsh Government and welcoming new users in Wales.”

SAMUEL KURTZ Member of the Senedd for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, delivered the closing address at the Empower Cymru 2025 conference this week.

The event, held at Techniquest in Cardiff, brought together industry professionals from wind and solar energy, oil and gas, education providers, and other key stakeholders to discuss the future of Wales’ energy sector.

Closing the conference, the Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Energy highlighted the prosperity that energy production can bring to communities that have long felt left behind.

He reaffirmed his commitment to advocating for pragmatic policies that encourage investment in renewable energy, including hydrogen production and carbon captur, while being realistic about Wales’ need for oil and gas for the foreseeable future.

Speaking after the event, he said: “It was fantastic to see so many people from across the energy sector come together to discuss Wales’ future. We have talked at length about our country’s incredible potential for renewables, thanks in part to our extensive coastline and access to the Celtic Sea, but now is the time for action.

“If we can demonstrate that Wales is open for business, we can attract investment in infrastructure and education, ensuring secure energy supplies, creating green jobs, and generating prosperity for our local communities.

“For too long, industrial decline has led to fewer job opportunities and economic stagnation in parts of Wales. By embracing energy production, we have the chance to reverse that trend, revitalise our economy, and safeguard our economic and energy security during these turbulent times.”