Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Key definition

Sanctions definition

What does Sanctions mean? Sanctions are the penalties or procedural consequences a court imposes in civil litigation when a party fails to comply with procedural rules, practice directions or court orders. Common sanctions include striking out or dismissing a claim or defence, debarring a party from relying on evidence or experts, costs orders (including indemnity or wasted costs), stays, unless orders with automatic strike-out on non-compliance, and, in serious cases, contempt remedies. In England and Wales, sanctions are imposed under the Civil Procedure Rules (for example CPR r.3.1, r.3.4, r.3.5, r.32.10 and r.3.14). A party may seek relief from sanctions under CPR r.3.9,...

UK financial and trade sanctions for law firms: legal framework, due diligence, screening, reporting, licences, enforcement, penalties and SRA duties

Published by a LexisNexis Practice Compliance expert

Practice notes

The Sanctions framework applies to every law firm. This Practice Note sets out what that entails for you. See also Practice Note: Sanctions—systems and Controls—law firms, which offers practical guidance on building systems and controls to secure Compliance with the financial sanctions regime.

What are sanctions?

Sanctions are international measures designed to:

prompt a shift in the conduct of a specific country or regime
place pressure on particular countries or regimes to meet defined objectives
prevent and suppress the funding of terrorism

They also function as an enforcement option of last resort where international peace and security have been threatened. Targets can include countries, regimes, organisations, individuals and entities. For a full explanation, see Practice Notes: Understanding the financial sanctions regime and Understanding the UK trade sanctions regime.

The law

The sanctions regime extends to all law firms—unlike the anti-money laundering, counter-terrorist financing and counter-proliferation financing framework, it draws no line between regulated and non-regulated sectors or activities. Sanctions are typically grouped by the type of prohibition, namely:

financial sanctions
director disqualification sanctions
trade sanctions
immigration sanctions
transport sanctions

Financial and trade sanctions are the most...

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

Web page updated on 22/05/2026

Popular documents

Using the Judicial College Guidelines to assess general damages in personal injury claims

When evaluating a general damages claim, the practitioner ought initially to refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG)...

Tomlin orders in England and Wales: CPR guidance on drafting, confidentiality, approval, variation, enforcement, limitation, CCA issues, court-specific requirements, sample wording and precedents

This Practice Note This Practice Note reviews mechanisms used in settling litigation. A Tomlin order consists of a consent order paired with a schedule. It operates to stay proceedings on terms that have been agreed. The provisions contained in the schedule may remain confidential. This Practice Note describes the scope of confidentiality attaching to the schedule and sets out how it differs from a standard consent order. Sample wording for a Tomlin order is included, alongside links to precedents, as well as guidance on court approval. It also addresses varying, setting aside and enforcing a Tomlin order, including the considerations the court will take into account when handling applications for each. Further guidance is provided on interpreting and applying the relevant provisions of the CPR; however, some courts and divisions impose very specific requirements for both drafting and approval, and for approaching the schedule and confidentiality issues. Accordingly, you must consider the particular rules and court guide provisions in the forum where your claim is proceeding when drawing up the Tomlin order...

Precedent: Deed of Surrender of Lease with Optional Premium, Settlement and Release, Landlord, Mortgagee and Guarantor Consents, Reimbursement and HM Land Registry Provisions (England and Wales)

Date [ date ] Parties [ name of Landlord ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Landlord) [ name of Tenant ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Tenant) [ [ name of Guarantor ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Guarantor) ] [ [ name of Mortgagee ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Mortgagee) ] Definitions Within this Deed, the terms below shall be interpreted as follows: [ Annual Rent • the annual sum reserved under the Lease; ] [ Insurance Rent • the Tenant’s share of the Landlord’s costs of insuring the Property (as set out in the Lease); ] Lease • the lease of the Property dated [ date ], entered into between (1) [ the Landlord OR [ name ...

Precedent Statutory Declaration: Standard Wording under the Statutory Declarations Act 1835

I, [ name ], of [ address ], solemnly and sincerely state that: [ Matters to be verified, set out in numbered paragraphs ] I make this solemn statement in good conscience, believing it to be true, and pursuant to the provisions of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835. DECLARED at [ details ] this [ day ] day of [ month and year ] Before me ................................................................................ [ signature of the person before whom the declaration is made ] A [ commissioner for oaths OR [ solicitor OR [ insert other qualification ] ] authorised to administer oaths ]...