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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 Sole traders, informal partnerships and outdated partnership deeds are common.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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MIM v Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust [2026] EWHC 562 ( KB) What are the practical implications of this case? In reaching her conclusion, HHJ Evans stressed that, although Paul does not rule out secondary victim claims arising from clinical negligence, viability hinges on whether the court treats the event observed as an accident or a medical crisis. That assessment is fact-specific in every case. Even so, the ruling demonstrates that the courts will continue to apply Paul strictly, and comparable secondary victim claims can expect firm resistance from defendants. Against that backdrop, claimant lawyers should examine the facts of any prospective secondary victim claim with care and consider how, if at all, it can be distinguished from Paul. In particular, this review ought to include analysing whether it can credibly be said that the secondary victim witnessed an ‘accident’ rather than a...
Subsidy control CAT dismisses Bristol Airport challenge to Welsh Government subsidy for Cardiff Airport The CAT has delivered its judgment in Bristol Airport v Welsh Ministers, determining an application by Bristol Airport Limited ( Bristol Airport) under section 70 of the Subsidy Control Act 2022 ( SCA 2022). The application sought review of the Welsh Government’s decision to award a subsidy package of up to £205.2 million to Cardiff International Airport Limited ( CIAL), and the CAT dismissed Bristol Airport’s challenge... Background On 20 June 2026, Bristol Airport lodged an application pursuant to section 70 SCA 2022 contesting the Welsh Government’s plan to provide £205.2 million to CIAL, to be released in phases over a ten-year period. CIAL had faced persistent financial pressures and a downturn in passenger numbers, and had benefited from several forms of public support since its acquisition by the Welsh...
Speaking to Law360, Lisa Pinney described the new super‑regulator as grounded in the labour market and taking a compliance‑first stance on enforcement. From the outset, she wants it to draw on experience from industry, trade unions and the third sector to make compliance simpler while safeguarding workers from serious exploitation. Her message was clear: the agency will support responsible businesses, but will take the toughest action against those who exploit staff or undercut fair operators. Pinney and other leaders at the Fair Work Agency confirmed that 7 April 2026 is a soft launch: a website will go live and phone numbers from the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate, the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, and the Office for the Director of Labour Market Enforcement will be redirected to the agency. Around 450 HM Revenue and Customs staff—making up most of the...
On 27 March 2026, a UKIPO examiner concluded in a report that the company’s artificial neural network ( ANN) is neither new nor inventive, and thus cannot receive a patent. This finding follows the company convincing the UK’s highest court to abandon the earlier test and insert an additional ‘intermediate step’ for assessing whether comparable inventions deserve patent protection. ‘ The present examination report fundamentally misunderstands the question of the intermediate step and how it is to be applied,’ said Bruce Dearling, partner at Hepworth Browne LLP and counsel to Emotional Perception. Emotional Perception has four months to answer the examination report. Should the examiner and patent applicant fail to settle the matter, the applicant may seek a hearing before a UKIPO hearing officer......
Steel safeguard negotiations are entering their final stage EU officials are upbeat about clinching a political deal at their next meeting on 13 April 2026, according to MLex. The planned regulation would succeed trade-defence measures due to lapse on 30 June 2026 and aims to mitigate the adverse, trade-related impact of excess global steel capacity on the EU market. It proposes stricter tariff-rate quotas by cutting the volume permitted for low-duty entries and raising tariffs on steel consignments that surpass those limits (see here) ......
Mergers The Commission approved Bio Marin Pharmaceutical Inc.'s takeover, conferring exclusive and sole control of Amicus Therapeutics Inc...
What began with the EU’s assertion of the so‑called primacy of EU law over investment arbitration has since extended to unsettle sports arbitration and, more recently, evolved into an ‘effective review’ model enlarging the part played by national courts of EU Member States in examining commercial awards said to touch on EU public policy. These developments amplify the unpredictability surrounding arbitration across the EU. As a result, successful parties in international arbitrations seated within the EU may increasingly look to incorporate an international element into their strategies for enforcement and recovery... The Court of Justice’s initial hostility to Investment Arbitration Many will recall the Court of Justice’s 2018 ruling in Slovak Republic v Achmea BV and its 2021 decision in Republic of Moldova v Komstroy LLC. Emerging alongside a wave of arbitral awards ordering Spain to pay hundreds of millions to European...
Financial services developments FCA and PRA update Skilled Persons Panels and lots The Financial Conduct Authority ( FCA) and the Prudential Regulation Authority ( PRA) have set out their Skilled Person Panels and the twelve subject categories, referred to as ‘lots’, applying from 1 April 2026 until 31 March 2030. Sources: Skilled person reviews Skilled Person Panel Skilled Person Panel Lot Descriptions PRA Supervision webpage Bo E and PRA Skilled person panel Lot descriptions EIOPA publishes technical specifications for small and non-complex insurance undertakings and groups The European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority ( EIOPA) has issued the technical specifications for small and non-complex undertakings ( SNCUs) and groups ( SNCGs)......
EU financial services developments EIOPA publishes technical specifications for small and non-complex insurance undertakings and groups The European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority ( EIOPA) has issued technical specifications for small and non-complex undertakings ( SNCUs) and groups ( SNCGs). The paper is intended to help firms and supervisory authorities identify which entities qualify for the new simplified framework and to set out how the relevant risk indicators should be calculated. Its purpose is to support a consistent roll-out of the new framework across Member States from the date the amended Solvency II Directive comes into effect. The document also outlines particular cases where EIOPA indicates that further clarification could be helpful. Sources: EIOPA publishes technical specifications for small and non-complex insurance undertakings and groups Technical specification for the calculation of criteria for Small and Non- Complex Undertakings ( SNCUs) and Groups ( SNCGs) under...
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government ( MHCLG) has opened a consultation to fine-tune how building works are classified under England’s higher-risk building ( HRB) regime. Rather than altering the definition of HRBs, it examines whether the way works to those buildings are categorised is correctly calibrated. The existing framework—created in response to the Grenfell Tower tragedy and given effect through the Building Safety Act 2022—sets a hard boundary: once a building meets the HRB definition, a broad spectrum of works activates the full building control regime under the oversight of the Building Safety Regulator ( BSR). That stance echoes earlier interventions, such as the 2018 ban on combustible materials in HRBs, which likewise depended on clear, rule-based thresholds (notably height and use) that favour safety over flexibility. For commentary on HRB definitions and criteria, see Practice Note: Building Safety Act...
In this issue: Electricity and gas market regulation, licensing and taxation Networks and network connections Renewable energy Energy disputes Air emissions, efficiency, and climate change International energy New and updated content Dates for your diary Trackers Energy resources on Lexis+® Daily and weekly news alerts Electricity and gas market regulation, licensing and taxation Ofgem launches call for input on reform of locational charges under reformed national pricing Ofgem has opened a request for views on the shape of locational charges and regulatory siting levers within the reformed national pricing ( RNP) programme. It examines potential approaches to structuring locational charges that would support delivery of RNP, spanning minor adjustments through to far-reaching reforms of the existing transmission network charging framework, and also outlines preliminary positions on legacy issues and transitional provisions for schemes that are already at advanced development stages. The window for submissions closes on 26 May 2026. See: LNB News 31/03/2026 18......
Laing O’ Rourke Delivery Ltd v Shepperton Studios Ltd [2026] EWHC 612 ( TCC) What was the background? The claimant, Laing O’ Rourke Delivery Ltd ( LOR), moved to uphold an adjudicator’s decision against the defendant, Shepperton Studios Ltd ( SSL), under a building contract dated 16 November 2021. The dispute centred on interim payment cycle 45—specifically, whether SSL’s payment notice and pay less notice were valid under the contractual payment machinery. Though not stated in the judgment, the payment terms appeared to mirror those in a Joint Contracts Tribunal ( JCT) 2016 form of main contract. The adjudicator concluded that both of SSL’s notices were ineffective because they failed to set out the basis of calculation, and awarded LOR the amount sought in its application for payment. The proceedings came before Simon Lofthouse KC, sitting as a Deputy Judge of the High Court in the TCC, on...
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: Key DR developments Claims and remedies Cost and funding Cross-border disputes Pre-action and limitation Evidence and disclosure Scottish Dispute Resolution New content Dates for your diary Useful information Lex Talk®Dispute Resolution: a Lexis®Nexis community Daily and weekly news alerts Key DR developments Reports Mo J releases findings from HMCTS digital reform evaluation alongside NDSS results: The Ministry of Justice ( Mo J) has issued a thematic review of digitalisation within the wider HM Courts and Tribunals Service ( HMCTS) Reform Programme evaluation, which ran from 2016 to March 2025. Overall, the study reports moderate backing for digitalisation in delivering a justice system that is just, proportionate and accessible, with stronger approval among public users. For further detail, see: Mo J publishes report on findings from HMCTS digital reform...
Listed on the London Stock Exchange ( LSE), Carillion was a prominent international construction, project finance and support services company with operations in the UK, Canada and the Middle East. Background On 10 July 2017, Carillion disclosed, among other matters, an anticipated provision of £845 million, of which £375 million related to projects within Carillion Construction Services (provision here meaning, in accounting terms, an amount reserved from profits to meet a likely future liability or loss of uncertain timing or amount). This in effect eliminated Carillion’s profits for the preceding six years. Based on earlier statements by Carillion Construction Services, the market had not foreseen such a provision at all in advance. The share price dropped 39% on the day of the announcement and 70% within three days. Given the apparently misleading communications to the market, the FCA commenced enforcement action......
In this issue: Key developments and horizon scanning Disputes and remedies Rent and rates Repairing obligations and dilapidations Residential tenancies Lease covenants and obligations Enforcing security and property insolvency Enfranchisement and right to manage Property disputes in Scotland Additional Property Disputes updates Lex Talk®Property Disputes: a Lexis®Nexis community Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Dates for your diary Trackers Key developments and horizon scanning Assured tenancy forms published ( Assured Tenancies ( Private Rented Sector) ( Prescribed Forms and Transitional Provisions) ( England) Regulations 2026) SI 2026/354 These Regulations specify fresh prescribed forms under the Housing Act 1988 for private assured tenancies, reflecting amendments made by the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 ( RRA 2025). They also keep the 2015 forms in play for defined...
In this issue: Trade marks/passing off IP rights and competition law General IP Lex Talk®IP: a Lexis®Nexis community Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Dates for your diary Trackers Useful information Trade marks/passing off WIPO launches survey on certificate requirements for Madrid System trade mark registration WIPO has opened a consultation to assess whether the offices of designated Madrid System members ought to issue a domestic or regional certificate when protection is granted, or when an international trade mark registration is renewed. The exercise also explores the possible practical benefits of introducing such an obligation. Commissioned by the Madrid System working group on legal development after its September 2025 session, the outcomes will guide discussion at the working group meeting scheduled for October 2026. The consultation closes on 24 April 2026. See: LNB News...
Summary The Deputy Pensions Ombudsman dismissed a complaint about a scheme’s due diligence when making a discretionary transfer to a remote HMRC‑registered arrangement. The Deputy decided the scheme owed no duty—under statute, guidance, general law or any assumed responsibility—to investigate the receiving scheme or to judge whether the transfer served the member’s best interests. Although there were warning signs, the trustees were entitled to proceed with a discretionary transfer once the scheme rules and section 95 of the Pension Schemes Act 1993 ( PSA 1993) had been satisfied, and they were not required to follow The Pensions Regulator’s suggested due‑diligence measures. This decision indicates it is now challenging for members to succeed in disputes concerning pre‑2021 transfers. What were the facts? Mr S was a member of the BMW UK Operations Pension Scheme (the Scheme). In 2014, he sought to transfer from the Scheme to the Uniway...
In this issue: VAT International Key developments Individuals and income tax Taxes management and litigation Finance Employment taxes Companies and corporation tax Energy and environment Indirect taxes—gambling and insurance premium tax ( IPT) Lex Talk®Tax: a Lexis®Nexis community Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Dates for your diary Trackers Useful information VAT Court of Appeal holds that government funding of educational courses constituted consideration for supplies of services for VAT purposes ( HMRC v Colchester Institute Corporation) As outlined below, in HMRC v Colchester Institute Corporation [2026] EWCA Civ 363, the Court of Appeal determined that government funding paid to Colchester Institute Corporation ( CIC) for the delivery of free courses amounted to third‑party consideration for those supplies. The court concluded that both the language of the...
In this issue: Advertising, marketing and sponsorship Consumer protection Contracts E-commerce Product liability Public procurement Supply of services Lex Talk®Commercial: a Lexis®Nexis community Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Dates for your diary Horizon Scanners and Trackers Advertising, marketing and sponsorship ASA rulings—1 April 2026 Continuing its regulatory scrutiny of alcohol promotions, the Advertising Standards Authority upheld a complaint against Sazerac UK Ltd t/a Hi- Spirits over a Fireball whisky poster. The decision focuses on ambiguous wording and imagery likely to encourage excessive drinking, where copy and visuals together could mislead or promote irresponsible behaviour. See: LNB News 01/04/2026 20. Consumer protection Managing product returns—what can be learned from the new ASOS returns policy? Can retailers curb or shape returns by influencing consumer behaviour, adopting behaviour-based pricing, and levying charges for...
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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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