Ukraine conflict

Ukraine conflict

The UK government has responded to the conflict in Ukraine by exercising sanctions powers, amending secondary legislation and bringing forward changes

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

TAKE A FREE TRIAL

Latest Public Law News

CJC concludes comprehensive review of pre-action protocols with publication of final report (phase two)

The Civil Justice Council (CJC) has concluded its extensive review of pre-action protocols (PAPs) with the publication of its phase two report. The first phase of the final report, published in August 2023, examined the role of PAPs in the civil justice system and explored the potential for digitalising pre-action processes. The second phase was published in November 2024. In the second (and final) phase report the CJC has set out its recommendations for the reform of various existing PAPs, including those for Personal Injury, Housing, Judicial Review, Debt, Construction and Engineering, Professional Negligence and Media and Communications. The report also recommends the creation of two new PAPs, one for dealing with child abuse and one for Multi-Track Claims in the Business and Property Courts of England and Wales (with a draft included at Appendix 1).

DHSC opens consultation on tackling modern slavery in NHS procurement

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has launched a consultation on proposed regulations and guidance aimed at combating modern slavery in NHS procurement. The draft National Health Service (Procurement, Slavery and Human Trafficking) Regulations 2024 seek to ensure that NHS supply chains and business activities are free from ethical and labour standards abuses. The consultation invites views from public bodies, suppliers and the public on various aspects, including implementation strategies, impact assessment, risk management in procurement frameworks and support mechanisms for public bodies to fulfil these new duties. This initiative aligns with the government's stance that the NHS has a crucial role in addressing modern slavery through its procurement practices. The consultation closes 13 February 2025.

Public Law weekly highlights—21 November 2024

This week's edition of Public Law weekly highlights includes coverage of the decisions in Hippolyte v Secretary of State for the Home Department, where Secretary of State unlawfully failed to consider discretion in the Windrush Scheme case, and R (Refinitiv Ltd) v HMRC, where the Court of Appeal upheld HMRC's diverted profits tax assessments. This edition further includes updates on Brexit highlights, Brexit SIs, Post-Brexit transition guidance, Constitutional and administrative law, Equality and human rights, Information law, Subsidy control and state aid and Public procurement.

UKSC publishes speech on why the Supreme Court matters to Northern Ireland

The UK Supreme Court (UKSC) has published a speech by Lord Reed of Allermuir, which was presented at Belfast on 13 November 2024 on ‘Why does the UK Supreme Court matter for Northern Ireland?’. The speech highlights nine important aspects of the Supreme Court with the aim of clarifying that Northern Ireland and the Northern Irish legal system are important to the Supreme Court, and that the Supreme Court is also important to them. These aspects include, visibility, independence of the judiciary, developments under the Human Rights Act, devolution, a UK-wide final court of appeal, the Supreme Court’s international role, transparency, accessibility and open justice, and diversity, inclusion and belonging. The speech further states that it does not mean that the Supreme Court is “activist” or is overreaching its powers. The legal principles which make up the UK constitution are laid down partly in legislation and partly in the common law. As the highest court has the final word on the interpretation of legislation and on the development of the common law, the Law Lords were always required to adjudicate on constitutional issues, and the Supreme Court has inherited that role.