Welsh Courts Act 1942 – permitted limited use of the language in the courts

Welsh Language Act 1967 - guaranteed the right to use Welsh more widely in court, and also provided for its use in public administration.

Welsh Language Act 1993 - puts Welsh and English on an equal basis in public life in Wales. The Act specifies three things:

1. it places a duty on the public sector to treat Welsh and English on an equal basis, when providing services to the public in Wales
2. gives Welsh speakers an absolute right to speak Welsh in court
3. it establishes the Welsh Language Board to oversee the delivery of these promises and to promote and facilitate the use of the Welsh language

The Proposed Welsh Language Measure 2010

Early in 2010 the Welsh Assembly Government succeeded in passing the Legislative Competence Order (LCO) on the language. This means that the Assembly for the first time can legislate on issues relating to the Welsh language.

The Proposed Welsh Language Measure was published on 4 March 2010. The Proposed Measure is based on policy commitments of the One Wales coalition government:

1. confirming the official status of the language

2. establishing a Welsh Language Commissioner 

3. creating rights for Welsh speakers

To read a brief summary of the Proposed Measure and its journey through the Assembly committees, go to Welsh Language Measure – what’s happening.