Justice Legislation

Laws relating to criminal justice, court procedures, legal services, law enforcement, and judicial administration.

The Armed Forces (Court Martial) (Amendment) Rules 2025

Published: Wed 19th Feb 25

These rules amend the Armed Forces (Court Martial) Rules 2009, specifying the required rank of the president of a court martial board relative to the defendant's rank.

If the defendant is an officer of rank OF-6 or above, the president must also be OF-6 or above.

For defendants of rank OF-5 or below, the president must hold a superior rank.

The rules define OF-5 and OF-6 ranks, clarifying the president's required rank according to the defendant's, and further ensuring fairness and maintaining chain of command within the court martial system.

The changes came into effect on February 20, 2025, and apply to England and Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, and British overseas territories (excluding Gibraltar).

The Income and Corporation Taxes (Electronic Communications) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

Published: Tue 18th Feb 25

The Income and Corporation Taxes (Electronic Communications) (Amendment) Regulations 2025, effective March 11, 2025, amend the 2003 Regulations.

Key changes include removing an outdated definition, broadening the regulations to encompass penalties under the Finance Act 2021, and adding new provisions specifying conditions for valid electronic information delivery.

These amendments aim to improve efficiency, clarify procedures, and modernize tax communication processes.

The Media Act 2024 (Commencement No. 2 and Transitional and Saving Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

Published: Mon 17th Feb 25

These regulations amend the Media Act 2024 (Commencement No. 2 and Transitional and Saving Provisions) Regulations 2024 by revoking a saving provision related to community and small-scale radio.

This action streamlines legislation and ensures consistency with the Community Radio Order 2025, which addresses the relevant amendments made by the Media Act 2024.

The regulations come into force on April 1st, 2025.

The Procurement Act 2023 (Consequential and Other Amendments) Regulations 2025

Published: Mon 17th Feb 25

The Procurement Act 2023 (Consequential and Other Amendments) Regulations 2025 implements crucial updates to UK procurement law, including revised threshold amounts for contract values, amendments to international trade obligations, and comprehensive changes to primary and secondary legislation.

The regulations modernize procurement processes, strengthen security measures, and establish transitional provisions while ensuring alignment with international agreements.

The Associated British Ports (Immingham Green Energy Terminal) Order 2025

Published: Fri 14th Feb 25

This Order grants development consent and authorises the construction, operation, and maintenance of a multi-user marine terminal at Immingham Port for importing and exporting bulk liquids.

It incorporates relevant provisions of the Harbours, Docks, and Piers Clauses Act 1847, addresses street works, land acquisition (including compulsory purchase powers), and temporary land possession, outlining compensation procedures and protective measures for various stakeholders.

The order also includes stipulations for environmental management, decommissioning, and compliance with maritime regulations, along with detailed operational and general provisions.

The Walsall (Electoral Changes) Order 2025

Published: Fri 14th Feb 25

The Walsall (Electoral Changes) Order 2025 implements recommendations from the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, abolishing existing wards in the borough of Walsall and establishing 20 new ones.

The order details the new ward names, boundaries (reference a provided map), and the number of councillors per ward (three).

It also establishes the election schedule, stipulating simultaneous elections in 2026, with subsequent elections staggered to return to the 'election by thirds' system.

The order's effective date is October 15th, 2025, for preliminary election-related procedures, with full implementation in 2026.

The Elections (Policy Development Grants Scheme) Order 2025

Published: Thu 13th Feb 25

The Elections (Policy Development Grants Scheme) Order 2025 revises the existing scheme for allocating policy development grants to UK political parties.

Effective March 6th, 2025, the order allocates £2 million annually, distributing funds among eligible parties based on a formula considering their representation in different UK regions’ electorates.

The Order replaces previous legislation relating to the same scheme and reflects the Electoral Commission’s recommendations, providing a foundation for transparent and equitable funding for policy development.

The Maidstone (Electoral Changes) Order 2025

Published: Thu 13th Feb 25

The Maidstone (Electoral Changes) Order 2025 alters county electoral division and borough ward boundaries in Maidstone, England.

These changes, effective from 2025 and 2028 respectively, implement recommendations by Maidstone Borough Council, reflecting parish boundary adjustments made in 2023.

The Order ensures election procedures align with updated community governance structures.

The Shropshire (Electoral Changes) Order 2025

Published: Thu 13th Feb 25

The Shropshire (Electoral Changes) Order 2025 alters the boundary between two Shropshire county electoral divisions, namely Severn Valley and Sutton & Reabrook divisions.

This adjustment stems from recommendations made by Shropshire Council and approved by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England.

The changes, reflecting alterations made to parish boundaries, take effect for election proceedings after the Order's enactment and for all other purposes on the ordinary day of the 2025 councillor elections in England.

The Canterbury (Electoral Changes) Order 2025

Published: Thu 13th Feb 25

The Canterbury (Electoral Changes) Order 2025 alters Canterbury's electoral arrangements.

It abolishes existing wards and creates 24 new ones, defining their boundaries via a map and specifying the number of councillors for each.

The changes, based on recommendations from the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, take effect in October 2026 for preliminary election processes and in 2027 for other purposes, applying only to England despite extending to England and Wales.

The Local Authorities (Changes to Years of Ordinary Elections) (England) Order 2025

Published: Wed 12th Feb 25

This Order shifts the ordinary elections for councillors in nine specified English local authorities from 2025 to 2026.

It adjusts councillor retirement dates accordingly, modifies procedures for filling casual vacancies, and makes consequential amendments to other related electoral Orders.

The changes primarily impact the timing of local elections and the terms of office for elected councillors, with provisions to manage casual vacancies during the transition.

The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Burghfield) (Emergency) (Revocation) Regulations 2025

Published: Tue 11th Feb 25

These regulations revoke the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Burghfield) (Emergency) Regulations 2024, which imposed temporary restrictions on unmanned aircraft flights near Burghfield.

The Secretary of State determined that the emergency justifying these restrictions has ended, and the revocation is in the public interest.

The regulations came into force immediately upon signing on February 11th, 2025.

The Merchant Shipping (Safety of Navigation) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

Published: Tue 11th Feb 25

The Merchant Shipping (Safety of Navigation) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 amend the 2020 regulations to implement aspects of the 1974 International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea.

Key changes include altering requirements for navigational equipment on various ship types to align with international standards.

Specific exemptions were granted to certain classes of ships, and the fee schedule was updated accordingly.

The regulations improve safety at sea by harmonizing UK legislation with international requirements.

The Associated British Ports (Immingham Eastern Ro-Ro Terminal) Development Consent (Correction) Order 2025

Published: Tue 11th Feb 25

The Associated British Ports (Immingham Eastern Ro-Ro Terminal) Development Consent (Correction) Order 2025 rectifies errors and omissions in the 2024 Development Consent Order.

Following requests from the applicant and an interested party, and in accordance with the Planning Act 2008, the Secretary of State made corrections detailed in a schedule.

The corrections encompass various articles and schedules of the original Order amending definitions, referencing, and documentation specifications.

The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

Published: Mon 10th Feb 25

These regulations amend the 1999 Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations to extend driving privileges for Ukrainian nationals in Great Britain holding specific leave types under the Homes for Ukraine, Ukraine Extension, and Ukraine Family Schemes.

The amendments specify different durations of driving permissions based on application dates and whether further leave extensions have been sought, ranging from one to four and a half years.

The regulations clarify definitions and provide multiple scenarios addressing different application timelines.

The RTM Companies (Model Articles) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

Published: Mon 10th Feb 25

The RTM Companies (Model Articles) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 amend the 2009 Regulations governing right-to-manage (RTM) companies in England.

Key changes include defining 'lease' according to the 2002 Act, restricting landlord voting power to one-third of tenant votes, and requiring landlords to be freeholders to qualify for votes.

These amendments aim to balance voting rights within RTM companies and improve governance clarity.

The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 (Commencement No. 3) Regulations 2025

Published: Mon 10th Feb 25

These regulations, effective March 3, 2025, implement several sections of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 related to leaseholders' right to manage.

Specifically, they define non-residential limits on claims, detail cost allocation, ensure compliance with the 2002 Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act, prohibit initial High Court applications for tribunal matters, and restrict the recovery of certain costs.

The aim is to clarify, simplify, and streamline the right-to-manage process for leaseholders.

The Thurrock (Electoral Changes) Order 2025

Published: Mon 10th Feb 25

The Thurrock (Electoral Changes) Order 2025 implements comprehensive changes to electoral arrangements in the borough of Thurrock following recommendations from the Local Government Boundary Commission for England.

The Order abolishes existing electoral wards and establishes 20 new wards with specified numbers of councillors for each, ranging from two to three members per ward.

These changes will take effect for elections from 2025 onwards, with new boundaries defined by geographical features and documented in official mapping.