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R (Greyhound Board of Great Britain Ltd) v Welsh Ministers [2026] EWHC 670 (Admin) What are the practical implications of this case? The ruling reinforces the constitutional divide between the courts and the legislature. It explains that the scheme and framework of the Government of Wales Act 2006 (GWA 2006) embody that separation of powers, and that any judicial attempt to recognise and enforce a common law obligation on Welsh Ministers to consult prior to introducing legislation in the Senedd would trespass upon that boundary. This is not a departure from established principle; case law has already upheld comparable rules for lawmakers in Scotland and at Westminster. However, this is the first express confirmation of the position for Welsh lawmakers, and the first time this dimension of the GWA 2006 has been analysed in such depth. The court examined earlier
The solution arrived through the United Nations Compensation Commission (UNCC), a quasi‑judicial body handling mass claims, created under UN Security Council Resolution 687. By addressing environmental harm—most notably via its ‘F4’ claim class—the UNCC set a seminal benchmark shaping how international law and contemporary arbitral panels allocate financial responsibility for wartime ecological devastation. With present-day wars in areas such as Eastern Europe and the Middle East bringing dam breaches, strikes on chemical facilities, and the burning of farmland, the UNCC’s legacy endures as an essential reference point for states, global investors, and companies engaged in post‑conflict arbitration. The F4 claims: Quantifying the unquantifiable Prior to the 1990s, mechanisms in international law for war reparations overwhelmingly favoured property loss, foregone earnings, and bodily injury. The natural world was commonly treated as a mute, non-compensable victim of armed hostilities...
Understanding the farming business as a business Many farms still use long-standing structures that arose by habit, not strategy. Sole traders, informal partnerships and outdated partnership deeds are common. While once effective, such setups can cause major issues around succession, tax planning and involving the next generation. A corporate team can take a fresh, business-led view of the farm, asking: Who owns the land and other critical assets? Who manages daily operations? Who carries the risk and who enjoys the return? What is the enduring plan for succession? From this review, the team can confirm whether the current setup is fit for purpose or if an alternative — for example an updated partnership agreement, a company, a limited liability partnership, or a blended model — would better meet the family’s aims. Tax efficiency through joined-up advice Tax sits at the centre of most
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On 19 March 2026, João Negrão, who leads the EUIPO, suggested that the rise of AI and a rapidly evolving digital environment may necessitate a more adaptable trade mark and copyright framework, enabling companies to secure protections that are more appropriately tailored. Potential measures might involve a lower-cost five-year trade mark term instead of the current ten-year period, and even considering extending copyright safeguards to cover business names as well......
EU financial services developments EBA shortens timeframe for applications for prior permission to reduce own funds and eligible liabilities instruments The European Banking Authority ( EBA) has issued its final draft amendments to the regulatory technical standards ( RTS) on own funds and eligible liabilities, trimming the period for competent and resolution authorities to decide on institutions’ applications to reduce own funds and eligible liabilities instruments from four months to three. The EBA finds that authorities now have ample experience with these processes to complete assessments more swiftly. According to the EBA, the focused changes to the Commission Delegated Regulation on own funds and eligible liabilities are intended to deliver immediate gains by cutting unnecessary regulatory burden for institutions. Furthermore, following the exemption set out in Directive ( EU) 2024/1174 (the Daisy Chain Act), which removes the need for liquidation entities to obtain prior...
EU financial services developments EPC publishes guidance on increasing adoption of SRTP scheme The European Payments Council ( EPC) has issued guidelines setting out the recommended pathway to accelerate adoption of the SEPA Request-to- Pay ( SRTP) scheme. Described as a ‘ Federated Approach’, the EPC’s model aims to establish the basis for a future-proof solution and to enable a gradual, orderly migration of intra-community initiatives towards the full SRTP scheme. It explains how to safeguard cross-community interoperability and reachability, while allowing communities to pursue locally pertinent use cases and viable commercial models. The paper acknowledges the role of intra-community initiatives and stresses that, to foster convergence, governance of the technical and functional components should be standardised, whereas business arrangements ought to remain at the discretion of each community. Source: SRTP scheme: Federated approach...
In this issue: Competition and state aid Corporate Data protection and cybersecurity Free movement, employment and immigration Financial services Insurance and reinsurance IP Life sciences Regulatory TMT International trade Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Trackers and horizon scanners Competition and state aid State aid— Commission reviews State aid rules for banks in difficulty The European Commission has launched a call for evidence to update the State aid regime for banks in difficulty. The current framework consists of six distinct communications, last revised in 2013. See News Analysis: EU Competition law—daily round-up (17/03/2026). State aid— Commission adopts new State aid rules to boost the use of more sustainable ways of transport The Commission has approved new State aid Land and Multimodal Transport Guidelines ( LMT Guidelines) and a Transport Block...
Statement follows. EDPB and EDPS support harmonisation of clinical trials under European Biotech Act, but call for specific safeguards for sensitive health data Brussels, 12 March 2026— The European Data Protection Board ( EDPB) and the European Data Protection Supervisor ( EDPS) have issued a Joint Opinion on the European Commission’s Proposal for a European Biotech Act. The Proposal aims to reinforce Europe’s biotechnology and biomanufacturing sectors, particularly in health, by simplifying the regulatory landscape and updating the framework for clinical trials. The EDPB and the EDPS back the Proposal’s objective of strengthening the EU’s competitiveness and tackling existing fragmentation in the implementation of the Clinical Trials Regulation ( CTR). Notably, they welcome the intention to create a single legal basis for sponsors and investigators to process personal data, which would greatly improve legal certainty across Europe......
EU financial services developments ECB presents annual supervisory report for 2025 The European Central Bank ( ECB) has released its 2025 annual overview of supervisory activities. It assesses the resilience of banks under the ECB’s direct oversight in 2025 and sets out supervisory priorities for 2025–27. Presenting the report to the European Parliament’s Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, ECB chair Claudia Buch noted that EU banks have entered a period of heightened geopolitical uncertainty with strong short-term indicators and solid capitalisation, while risks over the medium to long term remain elevated. In response, EU banking supervision is further reinforcing its risk-based approach. The ECB is concentrating on the most material risks to safeguard the sector’s resilience and is streamlining supervisory work to be more efficient and effective. The report also outlines the reform of EU supervision now in progress and emphasises that fully...
Under envisaged enforcement procedures for the EU's flagship AI legislation, the European Commission would be empowered to probe thoroughly the internals of general-purpose AI models, including their weights and the hosting infrastructure, and to also examine and alter system-state interactions. The EU AI Act authorises the Commission to run model evaluations to judge whether providers meet their legal duties and to look into potential systemic risks, in particular after a warning from an independent panel of scientific experts. As the sole authority charged with supervising the EU AI Act's provisions for general-purpose AI models ( GPAI), the Commission on 13 March 2026 issued secondary legislation defining the procedural framework for such evaluations and for related infringement proceedings......
EU financial services developments EPC updates Verification of Payee scheme rulebook The European Payments Council ( EPC) has released three revisions covering the Verification of Payee ( VOP) scheme rulebook, application programming interface ( API) specifications and the related API security framework, which will apply from 20 September 2026. The VOP scheme sets out rules, procedures and standards for inter- PSP processes across the Single Euro Payments Area ( SEPA), and participants that adhere to the scheme must observe these requirements. Source: Verification of Payee Scheme Rulebook Updates EPC publishes annual update of its guidelines on cryptographic algorithms and key management The EPC has issued its annual refresh of the ‘ Guidelines on cryptographic algorithms usage and key management’, providing direction to the EU payments sector on cryptographic algorithms, security protocols, confidentiality and integrity safeguards, and associated key management practices. These guidelines are intended for payment service...
EU financial services developments EIOPA seeks views on potential integrated insurance data collection system The European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority ( EIOPA) is inviting stakeholder input on inefficiencies, duplication and inconsistencies in regulatory reporting and disclosure duties, together with proposals to remedy them. Comments are requested by 10 June 2026, after which EIOPA will present a final report to the European Commission. In line with the amended Solvency II Directive, EIOPA has been tasked with preparing advice on measures for an integrated data collection framework covering Europe’s insurance and occupational pensions sectors. The discussion paper sets out the current reporting landscape for insurers and institutions for occupational retirement provision ( IORPs), and considers options to streamline and harmonise reporting requirements......
In this issue: EU fundamentals Banking and finance Commercial Competition and state aid Corporate Data protection and cybersecurity Free movement, employment and immigration Financial services Energy Environment Insurance and reinsurance IP Life sciences Regulatory TMT International trade Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Trackers and horizon scanners EU fundamentals European Parliament approves revised Framework Agreement with Commission The European Parliament has endorsed an updated Framework Agreement setting out its relationship with the European Commission. The vote tallied 446 in favour, 100 against and 72 abstentions. Building on the 2010 framework, the revision seeks to bolster Parliament’s influence over EU law-making, define the parameters for the Commission’s use of emergency powers, and reinforce democratic scrutiny by requiring the Commissioner to be present during debates. It will take effect after a signing ceremony by Presidents Metsola and von der Leyen on 25–26 March 2026. See: LNB News 11/03/2026 42. Commission adopts its March infringement procedures The Commission has adopted its March...
EU financial services developments Joint statement issued following fifth meeting of EU- UK Financial Regulatory Forum Following the fifth EU- UK Financial Regulatory Forum on 11 March 2026, HM Treasury and the European Commission together published a joint statement. Talks covered progress on implementing Basel standards, updates to each side’s securitisation regimes, and the clear need for robust cross-border resolution arrangements......
Mergers The Commission authorised: the acquisition of joint control over Ryan, LLC by NB Alternatives Advisers LLC, Ares Management Corporation, G. Brint Ryan, and Onex Corporation ( M.12322) following a phase I investigation—see also Midday Express the acquisition of sole control over Lecta Paper Industries Intermediate Financing S.à r.l. by Apollo Capital Management, L. P.......
A refreshed second version of the EU code of practice for generative AI has been presented to developers and users, featuring milder, adaptable pledges and generally softer, more flexible commitments overall. Under the EU’s AI Act, makers of tools such as Open AI’s Chat GPT and Anthropic’s Claude must tag synthetic outputs in machine-readable form, while users must flag deepfakes and other material of public significance. This updated voluntary code, intended to help meet the Act’s transparency rules and facilitate compliance, scales back several proposals, recasting elements judged to exceed the AI Act’s remit as optional actions rather than firm obligations. The text adds that the European Commission will further define the reach of transparency duties and any exceptions in forthcoming guidance to accompany the code, clarifying how scope and related carve-outs should apply in...
EU financial services developments ECB fines Nordea subsidiary for breach of large exposures limit The European Central Bank ( ECB) has levied an administrative fine of €2.26m on Nordea Finance Finland Ltd ( Nordea Rahoitus Suomi Oy) for misreporting its largest exposures and breaching the large exposures threshold. Over 13 consecutive quarters between 2021 and 2024, the institution allocated guaranteed receivables to debtors rather than to guarantors when calculating large exposures, contrary to a regulatory amendment introduced in 2021. As a result, the bank exceeded the 25% cap laid down in EU law. The ECB judged the infringements to be the result of serious negligence, and weaknesses within the bank’s internal controls contributed to both the occurrence and the duration of the breach. The bank retains the right to challenge the ECB’s decision before the Court of Justice of the EU......
The UPC's Court of Appeal On 6 March 2026, the UPC’s Court of Appeal paused the patent infringement proceedings that Dyson Technology Ltd ( Dyson) had initiated against Hong- Kong-based rival hairdryer maker Dreame International ( Hongkong) Ltd ( Dreame) and a Spanish business acting in the EU as its ‘authorised representative’, in order to obtain guidance from the Court of Justice of the European Union on how the actions should progress. Dyson had requested that the UPC grant a preliminary injunction preventing Dreame from marketing hairdryers said by Dyson to infringe one of its patents across UPC territory, and also in Spain, which has never acceded to the EU’s patent court. The UPC’s Hamburg Division then issued an injunction restraining two Dreame companies, together with Eurep Gmb H ( Eurep) — described as an authorised representative for Dreame in Europe — from...
EU financial services developments ECB issues Opinion on proposal to streamline the digital legislative framework The European Central Bank ( ECB) has issued an Opinion on the proposed regulation to simplify the Union’s digital legislative framework (the Digital Omnibus). The Opinion spans digital rules, data protection and incident reporting. Where the ECB suggests amendments, it supplies precise drafting in a separate technical working document, with an explanatory text appended at the end of the Opinion. On 9 December 2025, the ECB received a request from the European Parliament for an Opinion on a proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulations ( EU) 2016/679, ( EU) 2018/1724, ( EU) 2018/1725, ( EU) 2023/2854 and Directives 2002/58/ EC, ( EU) 2022/2555 and ( EU) 2022/2557 as regards the simplification of the digital legislative framework, and repealing Regulations ( EU)...
EUIPO v Nowhere Co Ltd, Case C-337/22 P, ECLI: EU: C:2026:71 What are the practical implications of this case? The most immediate practical implication for parties in EUIPO contentious trade mark disputes is that the judgment finally lays to rest any reliance on UK-founded IP rights created before the Brexit transition ended on 31 December 2020 ( IP completion day) as grounds of attack, whether in oppositions or invalidation actions. In effect, it ratifies the EUIPO’s choice to halt, at IP completion day, all unresolved contentious trade mark cases based solely on UK rights, drawing a clear procedural line. Its reach is broader, however. Where a right is not in force on the date the EUIPO issues its decision in contentious trade mark proceedings, it cannot sustain a challenge—be that because of Brexit, revocation, cancellation, or non-renewal. In truth, this largely reaffirms the EUIPO’s settled...
EU financial services developments EPC consults on interoperability of payment solutions based on the SCT Inst scheme at POI The European Payments Council ( EPC) has opened a consultation on its possible role in making payment solutions using the SEPA Instant Credit Transfer ( SCT Inst) scheme interoperable at the Point of Interaction ( POI). Stakeholders are invited to respond by 10 April 2026 with views. The consultation forms part of the change management process for the EPC payment schemes, and follows feedback and suggestions from an EPC-organised workshop in November 2025, which found that matters concerning interoperability of SCT Inst-based payment solutions at the POI, and the potential role of the EPC in this area, require further reflection......
EU financial services developments Commission adopts regulation on reduced content and standardised format for the EU Follow-on and Growth issuance prospectuses. The European Commission has adopted a draft Commission Delegated Regulation amending Delegated Regulation ( EU) 2019/980 (which supplements Regulation ( EU) 2017/1129 (the EU Prospectus Regulation)) concerning the reduced content and the standardised format and sequence of the EU Follow-on prospectus and the EU Growth issuance prospectus......
In this issue: EU fundamentals Commercial Competition and state aid Banking and finance Corporate Data protection and cybersecurity Financial services Energy Environment Insurance and reinsurance IP Life sciences Regulatory TMT International trade Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Trackers and horizon scanners EU fundamentals The Commission has launched a four-week call for evidence to shape technical guidance on applying the ‘do no significant harm’ principle within the 2028–34 multiannual financial framework. Required by Article 5 of the proposed Regulation establishing a budget expenditure tracking and performance framework, the guidance will be applied where feasible and appropriate. The evidence window closes on 1 April 2026, with adoption scheduled for Q4 2026. See: LNB News 04/03/2026 56. Commercial: The Council of the EU has agreed...
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When evaluating a general damages claim, the practitioner ought initially to refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG)...
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...
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 ...
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 ]...
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