Fodd bynnag, nid yw COVID-19 wedi dileu’r angen i Lywodraeth Cymru gyflawni swyddogaethau ym maes cyfiawnder. Yn wir, mae’r pandemig wedi’i gwneud yn ofynnol inni ymgysylltu’n agosach nag erioed i sicrhau bod gwahanol elfennau o’r system gyfiawnder yn parhau i weithredu’n ddiogel. Er enghraifft, gwnaethom weithio i sicrhau bod gan dribiwnlysoedd megis Tribiwnlys Adolygu Iechyd Meddwl Cymru a Thribiwnlys Anghenion Addysgol Arbennig Cymru yr awdurdod deddfwriaethol a’r capasiti gweinyddol i reoli achosion o bell. Gwnaethom hefyd drefniadau wrth gefn i alluogi gwrandawiadau i gael eu cynnal gerbron un barnwr neu i ddelio â gwrandawiadau yn seiliedig ar y papurau. Hyd yma, nid oes angen wedi bod am y trefniadau wrth gefn hyn. Rwy’n ddiolchgar i aelodau, staff a defnyddwyr y tribiwnlysoedd sydd wedi addasu mor effeithiol i’r trefniadau newydd ar gyfer darparu cyfiawnder.
However, Covid-19 has not removed the requirement for the Welsh Government to carry out functions in the justice sphere. On the contrary, the pandemic has required us to engage more closely than ever in ensuring the continued safe operation of different elements of the justice system. For example, we worked to ensure that tribunals such as the Mental Health Review Tribunal for Wales and the Special Educational Needs Tribunal for Wales had the legislative authority and the administrative capacity to manage cases virtually, and made contingency arrangements to allow hearings to take place in front of a single judge or to be dealt with on the papers. These contingency arrangements have not to date been needed. I am grateful to the members, staff and users of the tribunals who have adapted so effectively to the changed arrangements for the delivery of justice.