A keenly awaited website launches today that will help practitioners and the public better understand how the law in Wales is gradually diverging from the rest of the UK.

The Cyfraith Cymru/Law Wales project has been spearheaded by Welsh counsel general Theodore Huckle QC (pictured) in association with legal publishers Westlaw UK.  

Under the devolution settlement, Welsh legislation is rapidly diverging from English law in areas such as planning and environmental law as well as in housing and health. The aim of the site is to raise awareness of the growing body of Welsh law being passed by the National Assembly for Wales and made by Welsh ministers.

Huckle said: ‘With more and more laws being passed affecting only Wales, it’s absolutely vital that people here and beyond understand the growing changes in areas like health, education and housing, to name but a few.

‘I’m delighted that through our partnership with Westlaw UK, the [Law Wales website] will be further developed to include rich, in-depth content and analysis aimed at those working in the legal system in Wales.’

First minister of Wales Carwyn Jones said: ‘As a barrister and a legislator, I am acutely aware of how complex the law can be. I am delighted that the Welsh government is leading the way in the UK by developing this information service.’

The Law Wales/Cyfraith Cymru website can be found here and here.