R (Driver) v Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council [2020] EWHC 2071 (Admin)
Available on bailii
Ymddangosodd Owain Rhys James ar rhan yr ymyrwr, Comisiynydd y Gymraeg, mewn adolygiad barnwrol gerbron yr Uchel Lys yn R (Driver) v Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, sialens i benderfyniad yr awdurdod lleol i ad-drefnu ysgolion.
Bu’r cais yn llwyddianus ar sail (1) bod angen i benderfynia parthed ad-drefnu addysg chweched dosbarth gail ei gyferirio at Weinidogion Cymru yn unol ag adran 50 o Deddf Safonau a Threfniadaeth Ysgolion (Cymru) 2013 ac (2) bod yna fethiant y gysidro factor spesifig, cynaliadwyedd ddarpariaeth cyfrwng (addysg) Cymraeg yn y rhwydwaith 14-19 lleol a'r ardal ehangach, neu’r gwaith i’w gwella, a hyrwyddo mynediad i'r cyrsiau cyfrwng Cymraeg sydd ar gael mewn addysg ôl-16 yn unol a Cod Trefnidiaeth Ysgolion 2013. Mabwysiadwyd safbwynt niwtral gan y Comisiynydd.
Cyflwynwyd tystiolaeth y Comisynydd, ynghyd a dadl ysgrifennedig ac argymhellion ar lafar a rei rhan, drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg mewn gwrandawiad rhithiol. Dyma’r ail waith i Owain ymddangos drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg ger bron yr Uchel Lys.
Darparwyd y Llys ganllawiau ar sut i ddehonglu deddfwriaeth ddwy-ieithog; ynghyd a chadarnhau pwysigrwydd ymchwiliadau’r Comisiynydd.
Gweler mwy o fanylion isod:
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/education/pontypridd-schools-closures-rct-council-18686345
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-53592819
Cyfarwyddwyd Owain gan Trish D’Souza a Lowri Roberts o Capital Law.
******
Owain Rhys James appeared for the intervener, the Welsh Language Commissioner, in R (Driver) v Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council.
The Claimant’s claim challenged the Local Authority’s decision to re-organise schools in the Pontypridd area with the Court quashing the decision on the basis that (1) the decision to re-organise sixth form education had not been referred to the Welsh Ministers as required by section 50 of the School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013 and (2) that there had been a failure to take into account a specific factor for proposals to reorganise secondary schools or remove sixth forms, namely how the proposals might affect the sustainability or enhancement of Welsh medium provision in the regional 14 – 19 network and wider area and promote access to availability of Welsh medium courses in post 16 education, in breach of the School Organisation Code 2013 published pursuant to School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013. The challenge was dismissed on two other grounds. The Commissioner took adopted a neutral stance in the proceedings.
The Commissioner’s evidence, together with the written and oral submissions made on his behalf, were made bilingually with the hearing taking place by Skype for Business. It is the second time that Owain has appeared through the medium of Welsh before the High Court (in what is believed to be the fourth occasion on which the Court has received submissions in Welsh).
The Court gave guidance on the approach to be taken when interpreting devolved legislation and, in particular, the relationship between the Welsh and English language texts; together with confirming the importance of the Welsh Language Commissioner’s investigations.
The judgment is reported at:
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/education/pontypridd-schools-closures... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-53592819
Owain was instructed by Trish D’Souza and Lowri Roberts of Capital Law.