PRACTICE NOTES
Scope of the regime
(NSIA 2021) took full effect on 4 January 2022. From that point, the UK Government gained powers to scrutinise and intervene in a broad array of investments in entities operating in the UK, and in purchases of related assets, with the goal of stopping deals that might threaten the UK’s national security. The regime is run by the Investment Security Unit (ISU) within the Cabinet Office, while the formal decision‑maker is the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (described in the Act, and here, as the ‘Secretary of State’). Beyond handling notifications and associated proceedings, the ISU may issue guidance on the regime and how it applies to particular transactions. Under NSIA 2021, certain investments in business entities active across 17 specified UK sectors must be notified to the ISU by the investor and cleared by the Secretary of State before
Competition