Plaid Cymru renews its call for a separate legal jurisdiction for Wales

In the party's press conference this morning , Plaid's Simon Thomas AM again visited the subject of a separate legal system for Wales. He pointed out that in his view the creation of a separate legal jurisdiction would be a driver for the Welsh Economy and said that it would lead to a new career structure for our legal graduates and more jobs for the Welsh Economy.

His evidence for this case , was the example of Northern Ireland where he claims sixteen thousand jobs are underpinned by their independent justice system.

Mr Thomas went on to argue that it is inevitable that a distinct legal jurisdiction for Wales will develop eventually as distinct laws emerge. He said that something of such fundamental importance should not be left to develop on an ad hoc basis but should be properly planned and designed:

But thats not the only question being asked. Lord Morris of Aberavon who was the former Attorney General under Tony Blair has been querying just how much it might cost to set up such a separate system?

Lord Morris, in giving evidence yesterday to a committee of AM's examining this very issue, opined that a separate legal system would not only be costly but should not even be a priority.

Later today , this afternoon's plenary session at the Assembly will be given a statement by the Counsel General, Theodore Huckle on access to Welsh Laws and developing a Welsh statute book. It will be a timely update given the interest this subject is generating.