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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 Sole traders, informal partnerships and outdated partnership deeds are common.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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The General Court held that Lego A/ S’s EU-registered design for the 2x1 clip block lacked 'individual character', and therefore did not merit any design protection. In March 2021, Guangdong Qman Toys Industry Co. Ltd formally petitioned the EUIPO to invalidate the Lego design, contending it failed to create a distinct 'overall impression' when compared with the 1x1 clip block, another Lego piece. In November 2022, the EUIPO’s Invalidity Division backed Quandong Qman Toys and annulled the design. Lego appealed thereafter, challenging it......
Mergers The Commission has received notifications for: Five Arrows/ Vista/ Starrez ( M.12271) (simplified merger procedure) Chequers/ Fremman/ Groupe Bertin ( M.12274) (simplified merger procedure) Note— For all live merger investigations before the Commission, see further, EU mergers—ongoing cases tracker. State aid The application has been published in Case C‑612/25 P Cellnex Telecom and Retevisión I v Commission, an appeal against the General Court’s judgment in T‑715/21 dismissing an action for annulment of the Commission’s decision in State aid Case SA.28599— Aid for the deployment of digital terrestrial television ( DTT) - Spain (with the exception of Castilla- La Mancha)- ES—see further, application. Note— For all live State aid appeals before the Court of Justice, see further, Court of Justice State aid appeals—ongoing cases tracker. Upcoming dates For dates of upcoming EU competition developments, see further, EU Competition calendar......
Senate Bill 574 ( SB 574) The measure, titled Senate Bill 574 ( SB 574), would oblige lawyers to take 'reasonable steps' to verify the accuracy of AI-generated material. Drafted by state Senator Tom Umberg, a Democrat representing Orange County, he said in a statement that it forms part of a broader package, describing it as 'about accountability, fairness, and making sure Californians are protected as our systems and technologies change'. A former prosecutor, Umberg now practises as a trial lawyer and name partner at Umberg Zipser LLP, and also currently chairs the California Senate Judiciary Committee. Umberg unveiled the bill package on 8 January 2026, after he submitted it on 5 January 2026. ' Artificial Intelligence and its use now permeate every industry in the US', Umberg wrote in remarks submitted to the Senate Judiciary Committee. ' Its...
EU financial services developments Commission seeks views on ESMA’s fees and penalties for ESG ratings providers The European Commission is inviting comments on two draft delegated regulations that complement the ESG Ratings Regulation ( EU) 2024/3005. The first details ESMA’s proposed supervisory fees for environmental, social and governance ( ESG) rating providers, specifying the categories of fees, what they cover, the amounts, the reasons they are levied, and how they must be paid. The second sets out the procedure for ESMA to impose fines and periodic penalty payments on ESG rating providers. Submissions on both texts are requested by 13 February 2026. The Commission notes that EU rules on ESG rating activities seek to provide a common approach that enhances integrity, transparency, comparability, responsibility, reliability, good governance and independence......
Market Standards Trend Report— AGM season 2025 Read the full report here. The 2025 AGM season featured intensified shareholder scrutiny across the market, evolving meeting formats, and a continued focus on governance accountability. Whilst the proportion of companies encountering failed resolutions rose only marginally, the clearest shift was a marked increase in proposals attracting material dissent—most notably on directors’ remuneration, overarching pay policies, and director elections. Companies kept moving towards primarily in-person AGMs, with hybrid options falling away markedly, and almost every FTSE 350 company retaining some level of physical attendance......
Mergers The CMA has released the full text of its phase 1 clearance decisions concerning: the expected acquisition by Beacon Rail Lux Holdings S.à.r.l. of Eversholt UK Rails Limited — see the decision the proposed acquisition by Rhône Capital L. L. C. and Archimed SAS of DHG Holdco S.à r.l and Invacare Holdings S.à r.l. — see the decision Note— For a list of all live mergers before the CMA, see the UK mergers—ongoing cases tracker Upcoming dates For forthcoming UK competition developments, see the UK Competition calendar......
Financial services developments Consumer Duty: FCA publishes findings from review of smaller mutual life insurers The Financial Conduct Authority ( FCA) has released results from its multi-firm examination of outcomes achieved for customers by smaller mutual life insurers, and the extent to which these firms satisfy their Consumer Duty obligations. It reports that, while many are acting to enhance outcomes, there remains further progress for some, and the FCA has followed up with them where changes are required to secure improvements. The regulator aimed to understand how smaller providers, including numerous small mutuals, are complying with the Consumer Duty and delivering good, sustainable customer outcomes. It also sought to build a picture of how smaller firms, many of them small mutuals, are interpreting the Duty, embedding requirements, and delivering consistently good outcomes for customers on a sustainable...
Court powers under section 44 Section 44 of the Arbitration Act 1996 empowers the Court, in certain situations, to make orders that support an arbitration. The powers set out at s 44(2)(a)–(e) comprise: (a) taking witness evidence; (b) preservation of evidence; (c) making orders about property that is the subject of the proceedings or in respect of which a question arises, including: (i) inspection, photography, preservation, custody or detention; (ii) taking samples, making observations or conducting experiments and, for that purpose, authorising entry to premises in the possession or control of a party to the arbitration; (d) selling goods that are the subject of the proceedings; (e) granting interim injunctions or appointing a...
Mergers The Commission approved: the formation of a joint venture by Stonepeak Partners LP and Repsol Renewables Op Co LLC ( M.12192) following a phase I review—see further, Midday Express the acquisition of joint control of VLS Chennai by Tata Auto Comp Systems Limited and Ichikoh Industries, Ltd. ( M.12239) after a phase I review—see further, Midday Express Note— For all live merger investigations before the Commission, see further, EU mergers—ongoing cases tracker Foreign Subsidies Regulation The Commission received the notification in Mr Price/ Pegasus ( FS.100298) (concentration) Note— For all live Foreign Subsidies Regulation investigations before the Commission, see further, FSR investigations—ongoing cases tracker Upcoming dates For dates of forthcoming EU competition developments, see further, EU Competition calendar......
On 12 January 2026, the High Court issued and published a judgment dismissing Unity Ship Group S. A'.s claim that Euroins Insurance JSC was obliged to compensate it for losses after the Happy Aras ran aground off Turkey’s northern coast in March 2023. Master of the High Court Richard Davison concluded the vessel’s captain committed multiple grave mistakes in circumstances where his conduct effectively dismantled numerous essential checks and balances intended to uphold the safety of the vessel and the voyage. He further found the master later on inserted inaccurate and misleading entries in the ship’s log to divert responsibility from himself. Those systemic shortcomings meant the test for unseaworthiness was satisfied, Master Davison said. A prudent owner would have insisted upon the relevant......
EU financial services developments ESMA and EIOPA delegate power to their chairs to adopt DORA Q& As The Boards of Supervisors ( Bo S) at the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority ( EIOPA) and the European Securities and Markets Authority ( ESMA) have handed their chairs authority to issue Q& As under the Digital Operational Resilience Act ( DORA). DORA came into force in January 2023 and has applied since January 2025. According to the regulators, the usual approval process for these responses imposes an administrative load on staff and Bo S members. In view of the large volume of uncontentious replies already issued to eligible queries, and the expectation that this stream will increase for DORA matters, they consider it preferable to entrust chairs with adopting uncontentious answers to eligible...
In this issue: Data protection Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Data protection EU GDPR obligations and platform liability ( X v Russmedia) The host of an online marketplace that carried an advert was held to have breached its duties under the EU General Data Protection Regulation, Regulation ( EU) 2016/679 ( EU GDPR), although it took down listing within an hour of a removal request. The court determined it acted as a joint controller for the sensitive personal data in the advert and ought to have had pre-publication safeguards in place to (i) detect advertisements before any listing went live online......
In this issue: Pension Schemes Bill Taxation of pensions Public sector pension schemes Daily and weekly news alerts Dates for your diary Trackers Pension Schemes Bill Pensions Schemes Bill makes progress during early stage of Grand Committee examination despite strong reservations on LGPS reforms On 12 January 2026, the House of Lords Grand Committee ( Grand Committee) commenced its line-by-line review of the Pension Schemes Bill. The first sitting centred on Chapter 1, dealing with the Local Government Pension Scheme ( LGPS), with particular attention to Clause 1 (asset pool companies) and Clause 2 (asset management). In the event, all amendments discussed that day were withdrawn, and both clauses were formally approved without alteration, after detailed discussion on the day. Even so, the exchanges exposed broad, cross-party anxiety over the scope of ministerial powers, the dependence on delegated...
Key developments and materials In this issue: Air emissions and climate change Energy efficiency and buildings Energy for environmental lawyers Environmental taxes, reliefs and incentives ESG and sustainability Hazardous substances and chemicals Marine Nature, biodiversity and habitat conservation Waste producer responsibility regimes Water, flooding and drainage Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Environment—key developments in 2025 and horizon scanning for 2026 This News Analysis gathers the principal updates across Environment in England and Wales for 2025 and peers ahead to developments expected in 2026. It highlights air emissions and climate change, water, waste and producer responsibility, nature, biodiversity and habitat conservation, hazardous substances and chemicals, environmental regulation, EU– UK relations, energy efficiency and buildings, sustainability reporting and green claims, and the devolved nations. See News Analysis: Environment—key developments in 2025 and horizon scanning for 2026. From smartphones to fridges— UK to end overreliance on imports of critical minerals The UK government has released a third version of its...
In this issue: Budgets, Autumn Statements and Finance Bills Corporate governance Useful Information Trackers Dates for your diary Weekly highlights from other practice areas Budgets, Autumn Statements and Finance Bills Scottish Budget Finance Secretary Shona Robison has outlined the Scottish Budget for 2026–27. With ministers having promised to keep income tax rates and bands steady ahead of the Scottish elections, only minor tax adjustments feature. The 19% Starter band threshold will move from £15,397 to £16,537. The 20% Basic rate will apply to earnings between £16,538 and £29,526 (previously £15,398 to £27,941). Consequently, the 21% Intermediate rate will start at £29,527, rather than £27,942. For details of the current Scottish tax rates relevant to share incentive arrangements, see Practice Note: Tax and other rates which are relevant to share incentives. References: LNB News 14/01/2026 1; Scottish Budget 2026 to 2027;...
In this issue: Children's social care Judicial review Planning Local government finance Public procurement Education Social housing Social care Licensing Highways Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Children's social care Court of Appeal allows appeal regarding interim relief in age assessment case ( DCC v R (on the application of UYR) In Derby City Council v R (on the application of UYR), the Court of Appeal upheld Derby City Council’s ( DCC’s) challenge to an interim relief order made within judicial review proceedings. Although the first ground was dismissed, the second ground succeeded. The court determined the judge had erred ‘in considering that the provision of accommodation by Manchester City Council was precarious, and [the judge] ought to have held there was no real risk that the claimant would cease to be...
In this issue: Public Law case law quarterly— Q4 2025 Brexit headlines Constitutional and administrative law Judicial review Equality and human rights Public procurement Subsidy control and state aid Public sector contracts Projects and infrastructure Information law Other public law news Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Dates for your diary Trackers New Q& As Useful information Public Law case law quarterly— Q4 2025 The Public Law case law quarterly sets out commentary and analysis on notable judgments compiled quarterly by the Lexis+® UK Public Law team. This edition spotlights several Supreme Court rulings of importance, including in particular: Jwanczuk, on the appropriate handling of decisions from courts of co-ordinate jurisdiction within the UK; Daly v HM Advocate, on the...
In this issue: Key developments and horizon scanning Residential property Property development Statutory compliance Transferring property Property insolvency Property taxes Property in Scotland Statutory compliance Additional property updates this week Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Trackers Key developments and horizon scanning Property and Property Disputes—major developments in 2025 and a comprehensive look ahead to 2026. This News Analysis brings together and summarises the principal shifts across Property and Property Disputes in England & Wales during 2025 and anticipates what is on the horizon for 2026. This edition spotlights business tenancies, the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024, residential tenancies, building safety, service charge and outgoings, commonhold, electronic communications, contractual controls on land, adverse possession, investigating title, the ‘ Etridge’ protocol, energy performance and business rates. See News...
Antitrust Court of Justice issues judgment in national reference from Italy on whether EU law precludes non-mandatory investigation deadlines in antitrust proceedings under Article 101 TFEU The Court of Justice delivered its ruling in Case C‑588/24, Imballaggi Piemontesi, on a reference from Italy. The question was whether Articles 41 and 47 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and Article 6 of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms prevent national provisions which, in competition proceedings, allow the Italian Competition Authority to extend the period for concluding a case without any automatic obligation to do so, where the prolongation is warranted by specific circumstances. The Court confirmed that EU law does not bar such a framework, provided that any departure from the initial investigative time limit meets certain guarantees, namely that it is: ...
In this issue: Key developments in 2025 and what to expect in 2026 Building safety Planning Litigation Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Key developments in 2025 and what to expect in 2026 We revisit the main developments in construction law that arose towards the end of 2025, and outline what may lie ahead in 2026. For detailed coverage, see News Analysis: Construction law—key developments in 2025, and what to expect in 2026. Building safety MHCLG launches new building safety newsletter MHCLG has unveiled a new quarterly building safety newsletter, beginning in Q1 2026. The publication will carry updates on legislation, regulatory movements, progress on remediation, resident-focused initiatives, and relevant guidance. Subscriptions are available through MHCLG’s online platform......
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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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