Mental Health Review Tribunal for Wales (Membership) Act 2026

A Government Emergency Bill, introduced by Julie James MS, Counsel General and Minister for Delivery.

An Emergency Bill is a Government Bill that needs to be enacted more quickly than the Senedd’s usual four stage legislative process allows. A definition of an Emergency Bill is not provided in the Government of Wales Act 2006 (“the 2006 Act”) or in the Senedd’s Standing Orders, however Standing Order 26.95 states that:

“If it appears to a member of the government that an Emergency Bill is required, he or she may by motion propose that a government Bill, to be introduced in the Senedd, be treated as a government Emergency Bill.”

About the Bill

The aim of the Bill is to change the criterion for medical membership of the Mental Health Review Tribunal for Wales. The Bill provides that medical members of that tribunal

must be registered medical practitioners within the meaning of the Medical Act 1983,

but do not require a licence to practise issued under that Act.

The Bill also makes connected provision about the validity of previous appointments to, and membership of, the Tribunal.

Further detail about the Bill can be found in its accompanying Explanatory Memorandum.

Current Stage

BillStageAct

The Mental Health Review Tribunal for Wales (Membership) Act became law in Wales on 21 January 2026. An explanation of the various stages of Senedd Bills is available in the Guide to the Stages of Public Bills and Acts.

Record of Passage in the Welsh Parliament

The following table sets out the dates for each stage of the Bill’s passage through the Senedd.

 

¬¬¬Date of Royal Assent (21 January 2026)

Royal Assent was given on 21 January 2026.

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¬¬¬Stage 4 vote by the Senedd to pass the final text of the Bill (14 January 2026)

The Bill was agreed by the Senedd on 14 January 2026.

Mental Health Review Tribunal for Wales (Membership) Bill, as passed

Llywydd’s statement in accordance with section 111A(3) of the Government of Wales Act 2006

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¬¬¬Stage 3 Plenary consideration of amendments (14 January 2026)

Stage 3 consideration and disposal of amendments took place in Plenary on 14 January 2026.

In accordance with Standing Order 26.21, amendments were disposed of in the order in which the sections arose in the Bill.

Notice of Amendments: 14 January 2026

Marshalled List of Amendments: 14 January 2026

Grouping of Amendments: 14 January 2026

Mental Health Review Tribunal for Wales (Membership) Bill, as amended at Stage 3

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¬¬¬Stage 2 Committee consideration of amendments (14 January 2026)

Stage 2 consideration took place during the Committee of the Whole Senedd on 14 January 2026.

In accordance with Standing Order 26.21, amendments were disposed of in the order in which the sections arose in the Bill.

Notice of Amendments: 14 January 2026

Marshalled List of Amendments: 14 January 2026

Grouping of Amendments: 14 January 2026

Mental Health Review Tribunal for Wales (Membership) Bill, unamended at Stage 2 – 14 January 2026

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¬¬¬Financial Resolution

In accordance with Standing Order 26.68 the Presiding Officer decided that a financial resolution was not required for this Bill. Further information about financial resolutions is available in section 3 of the Guide to the scrutiny stages for Public Bills.

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¬¬¬Stage 1

A debate took place in Plenary on 13 January 2026. The motion to agree the general principles of the Bill was agreed.

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¬¬¬Bill introduced (13 January 2026)

>>>> 

>>>Mental Health Review Tribunal for Wales (Membership) Bill, as introduced

>>>Explanatory Memorandum

>>>Presiding Officer’s Statement: 13 January 2026

>>>Presiding Officer’s Statement on Legislative Competence - Note to Members of the Senedd

<<<< 

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¬¬¬Senedd agreement to the Emergency Bill (13 January 2026)

In accordance with Standing Order 26.95, the Senedd agreed on 13 January 2026 that the Bill to be known as the Mental Health Review Tribunal for Wales (Membership) Bill was to be treated as a government Emergency Bill.

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>>> Motion to propose this be treated as a Government Emergency Bill tabled on 6 January 2026 and debated on 13 January 2026

>>> Motion to agree the timetable for the Emergency Bill tabled on 6 January 2026 and debated on 13 January 2026

>>>Timetable for the Emergency Bill laid on 6 January 2026

<<<< 

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Contact information

Clerk: Georgina Owen

Phone: 0300 200 6565

Postal address:

Welsh Parliament

Cardiff Bay

Cardiff

CF99 1SN

E-mail: Legislation@senedd.wales