Winston Roddick QC is to resume his career as a barrister

The former first Counsel General to the Welsh assembly has been awarded a Companion of the Order of the Bath in the New Year Honours

Winston Roddick, who is from Caernarfon, was appointed Counsel General to the National Assembly for Wales in November 1998, acting as the senior advisor on all legal issues relating to the assembly's powers.

He recently retired from the position and will be returning to practice as a barrister in Cardiff and London.

The Order of to Bath is awarded in recognition of 'conspicuous services to the Crown.'

He said he considered the award to be "public recognition of the Counsel General's office and its contribution to the development of the National Assembly for Wales".

The chairman of the Association of Justices' Chief Executives, John Grant Jones, 58, from Bangor, has been awarded the OBE.

He has been recognised of his services to the magistrates' court service.

John Grant Jones has served the magistrates court service for 27 years

Mr Jones has been chief executive of the North Wales Magistrates' Courts Committee since 1996.

Originally from Penygroes, Dyffryn Nantlle, Mr Jones studied law at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth and the College of Law, London, before becoming a solicitor.

He said: "I am very pleased with the honour which is a recognition for all the work of the staff in the magistrates court service."

Peter Stuttard from Anglesey has also been awarded the OBE for his services to nature conservation.

Mary Oliver, a special needs officer with Conwy Education Authority, has been awarded the MBE.

Mrs Oliver, from Glan Conwy, was given the award in recognition for her services to people with special needs.

Frances May Jones from Anglesey is also awarded the MBE in recognition of her services to cancer charities in north Wales.