'. A document purporting to be—shall be received in evidence and shall, unless the contrary is proved, be taken to be so executed or signed.'—[Mr. Ron Davies.]
- (a) duly executed under the seal of the Assembly, or
- (b) signed on behalf of the Assembly,
§ Brought up, and read the First time.
§ Mr. Ron DaviesI beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time. As a body corporate, under common law the assembly will automatically be entitled to a seal. The new clause relates to the significance that courts attach to documents 728 submitted in evidence and bearing the assembly's seal. Such documents are to be regarded as properly made unless the contrary is proved. There have been many similar clauses in recent legislation, including equivalent clauses in the Welsh Language Act 1993 and the Local Government (Wales) Act 1994.
§ Question put and agreed to.
§ Clause read a Second time, and added to the Bill.