HMCTS launches Welsh Language scheme consultation

ligning our in-house Welsh Language Unit with our new Court and Tribunal Service Centres provides a more cohesive service, including access to ongoing user feedback. We introduced a Welsh Language Twitter Account and we’ll be providing more Welsh content on our YouTube channel in the future.

You can use Welsh in your court or tribunal hearings. Asking to speak in Welsh in your hearing will not delay the hearing or have any impact on proceedings or the outcome. Over the next few months, our reform programme will provide more reformed services in Welsh in both the civil and family jurisdictions.

A grateful member of the public who interacted with us in Welsh during a highly emotive hearing recently shared this praise for the service:

You have restored my faith in humanity.

Kevin Sadler, Acting Chief Executive of HMCTS, said:

Today, on St David’s Day I’m proud to launch our consultation on our revised Welsh Language Scheme. Improving our Welsh language provision and approach requires a cultural shift.

Our revised Welsh Language Scheme will contribute to a more lasting and sustainable approach to us providing our services in Welsh. It’s our legal and moral duty to make sure our services are accessible in the Welsh language and just as importantly, that Welsh speakers know that they are available.

Hywel Hughes, Head of Welsh Language Services at HMCTS, said:

We’re seeing an increased demand for Welsh language services across the public sector in Wales. From our experience in our courts and tribunals, it is plain to see users vastly appreciate being able to use Welsh when they contact or access our services. The language is an integral part of their identity and if they can’t use it, they feel incomplete and alienated. The changes proposed in our revised Welsh Language Scheme cement our commitment to providing equal access to justice for Welsh speakers.

The Health and Social Care in Wales (HMCTS) has launched a consultation on a Welsh Language scheme. The scheme would see the use of Welsh as an official language in health and social care services. It is hoped that this would lead to enhanced communication between patients and health professionals, and help to boost the Welsh language's status. The consultation will last until 30th September 2017.