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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 Sole traders, informal partnerships and outdated partnership deeds are common.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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In this issue: Sanctions Fraud Other financial crime Artificial intelligence Daily and weekly news alerts Horizon scanning Trackers New and updated content Sanctions FCDO announces Russia sanctions targeting crypto exchanges and A7 network The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office ( FCDO) announced a suite of UK sanctions aimed at cryptocurrency exchanges and the Kremlin-backed ‘ A7 network’, which Russia has used to sidestep existing curbs and funnel money into its war economy in Ukraine. The package seeks to counter Russia’s growing reliance on ‘dark networks and shadow financial systems’ to circumvent restrictions and interrupt the movement of funds. The measures include 18 designations striking at Russia’s illicit financial architecture, covering A7-associated persons, a Kyrgyz lender alleged to process payments for the network, and three Georgian firms running Russia-facing exchanges that attempt to dodge sanctions. The A7 network is...
The Financial Conduct Authority ( FCA) has released the results of a review evaluating financial services firms’ frameworks and controls relating to financial and trade sanctions. The publication sets out illustrations of effective and weak practice, plus development priorities, to support firms in meeting sanctions legislation. According to FCA, firms have advanced in avoiding sanctions breaches, yet deficiencies persist......
CPA 2026 materially widens corporate criminal exposure by extending attribution for all offences to conduct by ‘senior managers’ exercising significant decision-making power. This moves risk beyond the narrow ‘directing mind’ test and brings companies-particularly large, decentralised groups-under sharper enforcement scrutiny. Expect prosecutors to probe operational leadership, governance gaps and aggregate evidence across individuals. Boards should revisit delegation, clarify accountability and reinforce oversight of operational choices. A continuing hurdle is pinpointing who is a senior manager in complex structures, with courts likely to prioritise substance over form. More broadly, the regime will reshape how organisations record authority, decisions and escalation, with greater emphasis on demonstrating how choices are taken and supervised in practice. A reshaped strategic risk profile The most immediate effect of CPA 2026 is a broader range of situations in which a company can be criminally liable. Historically, attribution turned on the...
OFSI General licence INT/2024/4761108 The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation ( OFSI) has revised General Licence INT/2024/4761108. The update: Introduces a fresh definition of ‘cryptoasset’, meaning a cryptographically secured digital expression of value or contractual rights that relies on a form of distributed ledger technology and is capable of being transferred, stored, or traded electronically Adds a new obligation to report for any person using cryptoassets to send or receive a payment under the General Licence The updated licence is available here. Source: OFSI General licence INT/2024/4761108......
In this issue: Sanctions Data protection Complaints Daily and weekly news alerts Trackers New and updated content Sanctions OTSI to expand licensing role for sanctioned goods exports from 27 April 2026 The Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation ( OTSI) has confirmed that, from 27 April 2026, it will take on responsibility for licensing sanctioned goods and related ancillary services for export to sanctioned destinations. This broadens OTSI’s existing mandate, which currently covers authorisations for sanctioned standalone services. Licensing for goods and ancillary services governed solely by export controls, or falling under both strategic export controls and sanctions, will continue to be administered by the Export Control Joint Unit ( ECJU). The application route through the Department for Business and Trade’s SPIRE service remains entirely unchanged. From 27 April 2026, OTSI will handle SPIRE applications for sanctioned goods and...
In this issue: Data protection Other Practice Compliance updates this week Daily and weekly news alerts Trackers New and updated content Data protection ICO updates UK GDPR lawful basis guidance following Data ( Use and Access) Act The Information Commissioner’s Office ( ICO) has revised its UK General Data Protection Regulation ( GDPR) lawful basis guidance to align with amendments brought in by the Data ( Use and Access) Act 2025 ( DUAA 2025). The revision adds a seventh lawful basis, ‘recognised legitimate interest’. This basis allows pre-approved purposes, including protecting vulnerable people, dealing with emergencies, preventing or investigating crime, addressing national security issues and sharing personal data for public functions. It is not available to public authorities processing personal data for their official functions. See: LNB News 08/04/2026 7. Abuse of the right of access and causality ( Brillen...
Mazur and another v Charles Russell Speechlys LLP and another ( Chartered Institute of Legal Executives and others, intervening) [2026] EWCA Civ 369 What are the practical implications of the case? Many across the profession are likely to applaud the outcome and the reversal of the High Court’s ruling. That said, the sector should pay close attention to Lady Justice Andrews’ caution. Where, in truth, litigation is carried on by an unauthorised individual, other than for and on behalf of an authorised person, an offence is committed. The judge is plainly alluding to the LSA 2007, s 14, which criminalises undertaking a reserved legal activity without entitlement. Beyond that warning, the judgment leaves several issues unresolved. There is still no settled meaning of ‘conduct of litigation’. The Court of Appeal considered that, on the submissions made, they were not sufficiently assisted to craft a...
In this issue: AML, CTF& counter-proliferation financing Sanctions Data protection Other Practice Compliance updates Daily and weekly news alerts Trackers New and updated content AML, CTF& counter-proliferation financing Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing ( Amendment) Regulations 2026 SI 2026/ Draft: The draft Regulations update the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds ( Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017, SI 2017/692, to modernise and broaden anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing obligations. Reforms include revised monetary thresholds (converting several euro amounts into sterling), added due diligence duties for pooled accounts, fresh and amended requirements for particular trust registration categories (capturing trusts holding UK land acquired before 6 October 2020), adjustments impacting cryptoasset firms (including strengthened customer due diligence and a replacement Schedule 6B on changes in control), alongside a range of supervisory and...
In this issue Sanctions, complaints, data protection, daily and weekly news alerts, trackers, and new and updated content. Sanctions OFSI grants General Licence INT/2026/9247168 for Kazakh oil activities The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation has issued General Licence INT/2026/9247168 under regulation 64 of the Russia ( Sanctions) ( EU Exit) Regulations 2019 ( SI 2019/855), authorising the supply, purchase, transport and delivery of Kazakh oil. The licence runs from 19 March 2026 to 18 March 2028. See: LNB News 20/03/2026 13. FCDO releases guidance on sanctions exceptions and licences The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, together with OFSI, the Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation and the Export Control Joint Unit, has published guidance on using exceptions and licences to comply with UK sanctions. It explains...
In this issue: Practice Compliance forecast Sanctions Fraud Data protection Cybersecurity Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Practice Compliance forecast New Practice Compliance forecast as at 17 March 2026 The latest Practice Compliance forecast (dated 17 March 2026) is now available. This edition highlights: (1) the government’s Fraud Strategy for 2026–29, (2) the Home Office’s call for evidence on economic crime information-sharing gateways, (3) the ICO’s intention to issue refreshed guidance on special category data, and (4) the forthcoming SRA keeping of the roll exercise. See News Analysis: Practice Compliance forecast as at 17 March 2026. Sanctions OFSI blog sets out updated approach to assessing reasonableness in sanctions licensing applications The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation ( OFSI) has released a blog describing its revised method for judging reasonableness in licence applications across all UK financial sanctions regimes. The change...
Background to the case Dana Astra IOOO (‘ Dana Astra’) is a property and construction enterprise registered and operating in Belarus, whilst its holding company, Dana Holdings, is registered in Cyprus. Dana Astra does not maintain any place of business or assets in the UK. On 31 December 2020, the UK designated Dana Astra for sanctions (shortly after the EU’s listing on 17 December 2020) under the Republic of Belarus ( Sanctions) ( EU Exit) Regulations 2019, SI 2019/600 (the ‘ Regulations’). The Secretary of State considered there to be reasonable grounds to suspect Dana Astra of being ‘complicit in the repression of civil society’ in Belarus. In particular, it was said that Dana Astra’s proprietors are closely connected to President Lukashenko; that Dana Astra had acted as sponsor of the Belarusian National Olympic Committee as the only entity that was not...
As at 17 March 2026, our Practice Compliance forecast monitors anticipated regulatory developments affecting law firm compliance, helping you prepare for any adjustments pertinent to your organisation. It warrants a thorough and careful read, yet a few matters that deserve attention are highlighted below for planning purposes and action now. New items we’re tracking this month Call for evidence on economic crime information sharing gateways — the Home Office has issued a call for evidence inviting views on how data is presently shared to detect, prevent, investigate and disrupt economic crime in the UK, with emphasis on identifying obstacles and opportunities to enhance information sharing systems......
On 9 March 2026, the CMA released guidance titled ‘ Complying with consumer law when using AI agents’, together with research called ‘ Agentic AI and consumers’. These publications signal rising regulatory focus on the impact of autonomous AI in consumer markets and examine how existing consumer legislation applies to agentic AI. The CMA sets out a policy overview of agentic AI, considers potential future developments, identifies likely benefits and risks for consumers, and outlines actions for businesses building or using agentic AI to ensure compliance with consumer law and to cultivate trust in their systems. This commentary summarises: the scope of the CMA’s analysis key takeaways for practitioners practical steps businesses can take now to meet consumer protection expectations What the publications covers From tools to autonomous agents A central theme is the movement of...
In this issue: Sanctions Other financial crime Artificial intelligence & information security Other Practice Compliance updates this week Daily and weekly news alerts Trackers New and updated content Sanctions DBT and FCDO publish guidance on Belarus sanctions licensing considerations and exceptions The Department for Business and Trade ( DBT) and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO) have issued two fresh guidance notes under the UK’s Belarus sanctions framework, covering licensing factors and automatic exceptions. The DBT note acts as a look-up tool setting out what is weighed when granting trade sanctions licences across 12 areas, such as military interception and monitoring equipment, and machinery-related goods and technology. It explains when licences might be approved, including for humanitarian aims, safety and maintenance requirements, and medical or pharmaceutical purposes. The FCDO guidance on automatic exceptions defines where activities otherwise caught by sanctions may proceed without a licence, including matters involving personal effects and...
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...
John Ormerod, a 75-year-old former accountant from London, was hit with UK sanctions in May 2025, linked to his acquisition of 26 vessels valued at hundreds of millions of pounds between December 2022 and August 2023. After they were sold on, Russian company Lukoil employed the ships to move barrels of oil. The fleet became part of Russia’s so-called shadow network, used to evade sanctions imposed after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Although Ormerod disposed of the ships in 2023, he was nevertheless designated in 2025 as a UK-based national. His designation was removed on 2 March 2026, only weeks after he publicly condemned Russia’s actions in Ukraine. His lawyers said the listing left him unable to access funds to meet basic needs. Abigail Healey, a partner at Quillon Law acting for Ormerod, said the UK Foreign, Commonwealth &...
Share your insights here What changes have been made by OFSI to its guidance on financial sanctions enforcement and monetary penalties? The latest iteration of the guidance sets out four principal changes: Reworked case assessment process ( Chapter 5): The document now includes an 'indicative matrix' to gauge the gravity of a breach. This matrix aligns breach severity with specified aggravating and mitigating considerations. It identifies four tiers of seriousness. Breaches falling within level 3 (high) or level 4 (very high) are expected to attract monetary penalties, with baseline figures of up to 75% or 75–100% of the statutory maximum, respectively. Level 4 matters may additionally be passed to law enforcement for criminal investigation. A number of case factors have been introduced, altered, retitled or removed......
In this issue: Sanctions AML, CTF & counter-proliferation financing Anti-bribery & corruption Data protection Other Practice Compliance updates this week Daily and weekly news alerts Trackers New and updated content Sanctions OFSI extends General Licence for Lukoil International entities’ business operations The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation has prolonged General Licence INT/2025/8031092, allowing business activities with Lukoil International entities to continue. The licence now runs until 25 August 2026. It was first granted on 27 November 2025 under regulation 64 of the Russia ( Sanctions) ( EU Exit) Regulations 2019 ( SI 2019/855). OFSI has also amended FAQ 174 in its UK Financial Sanctions FAQs to note the extension. See: LNB News 26/02/2026 5. OFSI publishes framework for prioritising licence applications OFSI has outlined in a blog how it prioritises licence applications, setting out seven criteria that assess...
Although the indicators do not materially alter the foreign bribery offence and will be well known to many legal and compliance practitioners, they mark a further move towards the global harmonisation of the criteria used to assess corruption risk. This piece reviews the IFBT’s newest guidance, considers what it means for multinational businesses, and notes developments in other recent cross-border anti-corruption efforts. International Foreign Bribery Taskforce The International Foreign Bribery Taskforce ( IFBT) brings together law enforcement bodies from the so-called Five Eyes: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the US, to share intelligence and tackle bribery and related crime. Its members comprise specialists in foreign bribery from the Australian Federal Police; the Royal Canadian Mounted Police; the New Zealand Police and the New Zealand Serious Fraud Office; the UK Serious Fraud Office ( SFO) and the National Crime Agency; and the US Federal Bureau of...
Nicholas Bacon KC of 4 New Square Chambers, acting for CILEX, sought on 23 February 2026 to persuade the Court of Appeal to reverse a High Court decision that bans unauthorised law firm employees from conducting litigation even when overseen by qualified solicitors. Bacon maintained that Judge Clive Sheldon had misconstrued the Legal Services Act 2007 ( LSA 2007). Properly read, the LSA 2007 provides that only authorised persons may assume responsibility for litigation — but authorised persons can assign tasks to other members of the firm, Bacon said. He submitted that if the High Court’s ruling known as Mazur stands, authorised persons such as solicitors would be prevented from delegating an array of litigation tasks, which would run counter to established practice in the legal sector since the 19th century......
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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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