Legislative Consent: Victims and Courts Bill

The Victims and Courts Bill (the Bill) was introduced in the House of Commons on 7 May 2025.

The long title to the Bill notes that it is a Bill “to make provision about the experience of victims within the criminal justice system; about the functions of the Commissioner for Victims and Witnesses; and about procedure and the administration of criminal justice.”

The Bill is subject to the legislative consent process under Standing Order 29. This is when the consent of the Welsh Parliament is sought by the UK Government to legislate on an issue which falls within the competence of the Senedd.

The Legislative Consent Motion for the Bill was agreed in Plenary on 24 February 2026.

Supplementary Legislative Consent Memorandum (Memorandum No. 2) – November 2025

The Welsh Government laid a Supplementary Legislative Consent Memorandum (PDF 183KB) on the Bill before the Senedd on 5 November 2025.

On 11 November 2025 the Business Committee referred the SLCM to the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee, with a reporting deadline of 16 January 2026 (PDF 72KB).

The Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee laid its report (PDF 150KB) on 7 January 2026.

The Welsh Government responded (PDF 62KB) to the report on 14 January 2026.

Legislative Consent Memorandum – May 2025

The Welsh Government laid a Legislative Consent Memorandum (LCM) on the Bill before the Senedd on 20 May 2025 (PDF 115KB).

The Business Committee referred the LCM to the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee, with a reporting deadline of 18 July 2025 (PDF 36KB).

The Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee laid its report (PDF 184KB) on 9 July 2025.

The Welsh Government responded to the report in August 2025 (PDF 60KB).