Legal Wales 2025: A clearer, fairer and more responsive justice system in focus
Legal Wales 2025: A clearer, fairer and more responsive justice system in focus
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Bangor University hosted the 23rd Legal Wales Foundation Conference & Dinner on 10 October 2025 – an annual event that draws together leading figures from the Welsh and English legal profession, senior judiciary, statutory bodies and government.
Renowned for its open access to high-level speakers and vibrant debate, the conference once again reflected the legal profession’s central role in shaping communities across Wales.
A sharper spotlight on Wales’ legal direction
This year’s programme focused on how Wales can build a justice system that is clearer, fairer and more responsive – and placed the Welsh Government’s legal ambitions under sharper scrutiny than in recent years.
Delegates heard both critique and optimism, reflecting the evolving legal, constitutional and social landscape Wales now faces. The event remains a focal point for law and policy professionals, from both England and Wales, to debate how access to the profession and access to justice are evolving in Wales.
Fellowship and transition
Opening the conference, Jonathan Elystan Rees KC, Chair of the Legal Wales Foundation, highlighted the event’s twin strengths: intellectual depth and collegiality. He paid warm tribute to Huw Williams, co-founder and Programme Director, who steps down from his long-held role this year.
Proceeds from the conference continue to support the Legal Wales – Lord Edmund-Davies Legal Education Trust and its Access to Law Summer Scheme, which provides opportunities for talented students from under-represented backgrounds to gain experience across the Welsh legal system.
Keynote speakers
The 2025 conference attracted an impressive line-up, including:
- The Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales, Rt Hon. Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill DBE – the first woman to hold the post.
- Julie James AS, Counsel General for Wales and Minister for Delivery.
- Mark Evans, President of the Law Society of England and Wales.
- Tim Eicke KC, UK Judge of the European Court of Human Rights (2016–2025).
- Rt Hon. Sir Peter Fraser, Chair of the Law Commission of England and Wales.
The Counsel General in focus – accessibility and ambition
In one of the most anticipated addresses, Julie James AS set out the Welsh Government’s vision for a more accessible and user-centred legal system.
She championed codification and consolidation as tools not just for legislative tidiness but for transparency and usability, citing planning law reform as an example of progress.
James’ message was clear: bilingual law is essential, not symbolic, ensuring everyone in Wales can engage with legislation in their language of choice.
Turning to criminal justice, James called for a shift from punishment to prevention, emphasising evidence-based community interventions and cross-sector collaboration:
“We need more focus on what drives people to commit crime, and on empowering local professionals to do what works best for each individual.”
She underscored that justice cannot be divorced from housing, health, education, and mental health – and pledged to monitor forthcoming UK legislation to ensure alignment with Welsh priorities.
Devolution, not separation
James reiterated that while a separate Welsh jurisdiction is not on the table, greater control over justice functions such as probation and youth justice offers meaningful progress. Wales, she said, is pursuing co-designed and co-commissioned approaches with the UK Government to improve local outcomes.
As The Law Gazette recently noted, the Counsel General remains ‘unequivocal that separation is off the agenda’. Legal Wales will shortly publish a deeper dive into this evolving discussion.
Sustaining the profession
James also warned of the strain on Wales’ legal workforce. Criminal practice in particular faces major challenges in retention, recruitment and remuneration.
She urged both Westminster and Welsh Government to recognise the profession as a public good, not just a service.
“Law reform must walk hand-in-hand with investment in people.”
The ECtHR: A former judge’s view
In a timely contribution, Tim Eicke KC reflected on the ongoing debate around the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), reminding delegates that:
“The European Court of Human Rights is more necessary and relevant now than it has been for decades.”
He defended the ECHR as a ‘living instrument’, essential to the UK and Wales’ social and civil progress.
Regional focus and recognition
Delegates joined six lively breakout sessions exploring topics from diversity and inclusion to access to justice, alongside an anniversary session celebrating the Welsh Language Tribunal.
A standout was “Transforming North Wales”, part of the wider Transforming Wales series linking law, regional development and community outcomes.
The Sir Samuel Evans Prize 2025 for the best undergraduate result at a Welsh Law School went to Matilda Falchetta LLB (Aberystwyth University).
Dinner and inspiration
The after-dinner event, held in Bangor University’s Pritchard-Jones Hall, featured guest speaker Helen Molyneux, former CEO and Founder of NewLaw Solicitors and Co-Founder of Monumental Welsh Women.
Helen reflected on her journey to ensure Wales’ inspirational women are represented in public art, encouraging guests to support ongoing efforts through monumentalwelshwomen.com.
Collaboration and continuity
Legal Wales continues to epitomise Wales’ collaborative legal culture – a space where lawyers, lawmakers and judges connect, share insights, and influence the profession’s direction.
As Conference Director for the past five years, I’m proud to see the event grow and grateful to our partners and supporters — especially as all proceeds fund LEDLET’s social mobility work.
As Huw Williams told me:
“Legal Wales remains a place of fellowship, learning and shared purpose… Long may it continue to strengthen the rule of law — the cyfraith — for the benefit of our communities and all who serve them.”
Legal News Wales has published the full speeches, photos and delegate materials from the 2025 event.
Next year, the Conference and Dinner returns to Cardiff on Friday 9 October 2026, with fringe events running through the week. To view the speeches from this year and to suggest topics or explore collaboration, visit legalnewswales.com for details.
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