Government of Wales Act 2006
What this means for your business
- Enforced by
- Mining Remediation Authority, National Highways, Natural England, NIEA, NRW, SEPA
- Applies to
- United Kingdom
- On this page
- 2 compliance obligations, 1 practical guide
What you must do
2 compliance obligations under this legislation — 2 can result in imprisonment.
Offences and prohibitions 2
Fail to comply with a notice under the Government of Wales Act
51 weeks imprisonmentIf a business (or any person) receives a notice under section 38 requiring you to attend a proceeding, answer questions, produce documents, or not destroy any documents, and you refuse or fail to comply without a reasonable excuse, you commit an offence. On conviction you can be fined (unlimited) and/or sentenced to up to 51 weeks in prison.
Refuse to take oath or affirmation when giving evidence to the Senedd
51 weeks imprisonmentIf you are served a notice to attend Senedd (Welsh Parliament) proceedings to give evidence and you refuse to swear an oath or make an affirmation when asked, you commit a criminal offence. On conviction in the Magistrates' Court you could be fined up to an unlimited amount (level 5 on the standard scale) and/or be sent to prison for up to 51 weeks.
Penalties for non-compliance
2 penalties under this legislation. 2 can result in imprisonment. 2 carry an unlimited fine.
Fail to comply with a notice under the Government of Wales Act
Unlimited fine and/or 51 weeks imprisonment
Refuse to take oath or affirmation when giving evidence to the Senedd
Unlimited fine and/or 51 weeks imprisonment
Practical guidance
Our guides explain how to comply with the requirements above.
Sections and provisions
224 classified provisions from this legislation.
Duties 39
- s.5 Extraordinary general elections
- s.18 Effect of disqualification the person
- s.20 Remuneration of Members of the Senedd
- s.21 Limit on salaries of Members of the Senedd salary payable
- s.22 Remuneration: supplementary The Senedd Commission
- s.23 Oath or affirmation of allegiance entitlement
- s.24 Assistance to groups of Members of the Senedd payment
- s.30 Audit Committee person designated
- s.35 Equality of treatment
- s.38 Notice
- s.41 Proceedings by or against Senedd etc.
- s.47 Choice of First Minister
- s.53 Remuneration person who has ceased
- s.54 Remuneration: supplementary person
- s.55 Oath or affirmation entitlement
- s.66 Provision of information to Treasury
- s.73 Local government scheme
- s.74 Voluntary sector scheme assistance provided by them
- s.75 Business scheme
- s.77 Equality of opportunity
- ... and 19 more duties
Powers 54
- Schedule 2 Senedd Commission
- s.3 Ordinary general elections
- s.4 Power to vary date of ordinary general election
- s.13B Power to make provision about the use of the UK digital service for absent voting applications
- s.13A Power of the Secretary of State to make provision about the combination of polls
- s.13 Power of the Welsh Ministers to make provision about elections etc
- s.15 Resignation of members
- s.19 Judicial proceedings as to disqualification
- s.28 Committees and sub-committees
- s.34 Participation by Counsel General
- s.37 Power to call
- s.48 Welsh Ministers
- s.50 Deputy Welsh Ministers
- s.52 Staff
- s.58 Transfer of Ministerial functions
- s.60 Promotion etc. of well-being
- s.61 Support of culture etc.
- s.62 Representations about matters affecting Wales
- s.64 Polls for ascertaining views of the public
- s.65 Private bills
- ... and 34 more powers
Definitions 44
- s.1 The Senedd
- s.6 Voting at general elections
- s.7 Candidates at general elections
- s.11 Vacant seats
- s.12 Entitlement to vote
- s.16 Disqualification from being Member of the Senedd
- s.25 Presiding Officer etc.
- s.26 Clerk of Senedd
- s.27 A Senedd Commission
- s.31 Standing orders
- s.42 Defamation
- s.45 Welsh ... Government
- s.58A Executive ministerial functions
- s.72 Partnership Council
- s.76 Regulatory impact assessments
- s.85 Construction of references to Ministers and departments
- s.87 Property, rights and liabilities of Welsh Ministers etc.
- s.89 Rights and liabilities of the Crown in different capacities office-holder subject
- s.92 Official secrets
- s.93 Assembly Measures
- ... and 24 more definitions
Exemptions 30
- Schedule 7 Acts of the Senedd
- s.17B Exception from disqualification by virtue of being an MP: general election of Members of the Senedd within 372 days
- s.17E Exception from disqualification by virtue of being a councillor: ordinary election of councillors within 372 days
- s.17A Exception from disqualification by virtue of being an MP: recently elected members
- s.17C Exception from disqualification by virtue of being a member of the House of Lords
- s.17D Exception from disqualification by virtue of being a councillor: recently elected members
- s.17F Exception from disqualification by virtue of being a councillor: general election of Members of the Senedd within 372 days
- s.43 Contempt of court
- s.57 Exercise of functions
- s.80 Assimilated obligations
- s.81 Human rights
- s.84 Different exercise of functions by Welsh Ministers etc.
- s.99 Scrutiny of proposed Assembly Measures by Supreme Court
- s.101 Power to intervene in certain cases
- s.108A Legislative competence
- s.111B Scrutiny of Bills by the Supreme Court (protected subject-matter)
- s.112 Scrutiny of Bills by Supreme Court (legislative competence)
- s.116E Welsh taxpayers
- s.124 Payments out of Welsh Consolidated Fund
- s.126A Inclusion in Budget motions of resources used by designated bodies
- ... and 10 more exemptions