The 3million has published Q&As in conjunction with Seraphus covering some practical issues recently arising in the European Settlement Scheme (EUSS) and the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme. One is on pre-settled status, extensions, and ‘automatic’ conversions to settled status (5 May 2025); and the other covers what the ETA scheme means for EU citizens with pre-settled status, and British/EU Member State dual nationals (12 June 2025)

A US defined contribution scheme where the employer sponsors a tax registered (‘qualified’) plan in which employees allow the employer to deduct money from their salaries, tax free and on a regular basis, to invest in stocks, bonds or real estate,

Fourth-generation mobile network or service. Mobile broadband standard offering both mobility and very high bandwidth.

IP analysis: This case represents another decision in the global patent battle between the claimants (Nokia) and the defendants (Oppo) in respect of Nokia’s allegation that Oppo have infringed European Patent (UK) No 2 981 103 B1 (the Patent) by the sale of certain mobile phones with 4G/LTE and 5G functionality (the Alleged Infringement). In contrast to the separate action heard by Mr Justice Meade between Nokia and Oppo in relation to the validity of Nokia’s separate implementation patent ([2022] EWHC 2814 (Pat)), this case concerned the validity of Nokia’s standard essential patent (SEP). Oppo did not generally deny essentiality or infringement, but rather argued that the Patent was invalid on multiple grounds. The court held that the Patent was indeed valid and essential, meaning that the Patent was infringed by the presence of 4G and 5G functionality in Oppo’s mobile phones. Written by Alan Harper, Intellectual Property partner at Walker Morris LLP.

Law360, London: More than 600 tankers are now involved in carrying Russian oil in breach of international sanctions imposed on the country's energy industry after the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, an insurer warned on 27 May 2025.

Law360, London: Almost 600 chartered legal executives have lodged applications to gain litigation rights after the shock decision in Mazur cast their jobs into doubt.

Law360: Seven out of ten insurance underwriting professionals in the US and UK fear losing their jobs within the next five years to artificial intelligence, a survey released Tuesday suggested, as the sector increasingly invests in new forms of automation.

Law360: More than 700 staff in a claim against supermarket giant Sainsbury’s and in-store pharmacy chain Lloyds have won their appeal to remain in a long-running equal pay claim, as the Court of Appeal, on 6 April 2023, dismissed a challenge to their inclusion.

Dispute Resolution analysis: On 12 July 2016, the Making Document for the 84th update to the CPR was released by the Ministry of Justice. In this article, we summarise the amendments, some of which are already in force.

A ‘merger’ may fall within the EU merger rules and require notification to the European Commission (the Commission) if at least two parties to the transaction generate fairly substantial world and EU-wide revenues (combined and individual). In particular (and subject to certain narrowly construed exceptions), a transaction will need to be notified to and cleared by the Commission if: • it is a ‘concentration’ within the meaning of the EU Merger Regulation (EUMR) • the merger is permanent, and • it meets the financial thresholds set out. Where these conditions are met then, subject to certain narrowly construed exceptions, EU merger control rules will apply to the exclusion of the national merger rules of any European Economic Area (EEA) Member State. The EUMR defines a ‘concentration’ as follows: • where two independent undertakings merge—this includes arrangements where previously 'independent' undertakings set up a common management team, or a dual listing on a Stock Exchange • the acquisition of control by one (or more) undertaking over another (see below) • where there is a change

What is pre-planning restrictive covenant insurance? Restrictive covenant insurance provides protection for people who hold an interest in land which is burdened by a restrictive covenant. It would ordinarily provide cover for loss in relation to damages awarded against the insured, costs of altering or demolishing a building to comply with a covenant, abortive works costs and legal costs. Such insurance may be obtained before planning permission has been obtained for a development where the intended development site is burdened by restrictive covenants. When is it appropriate to take out a pre-planning restrictive covenant insurance policy? Clearly, when it appears that a restrictive covenant may affect the planned development, every effort should be made to iron out issues as early as possible.

The merger control rules of the UK are contained in the Enterprise Act 2002, as amended by the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 and the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCC Act). Under the UK merger control rules, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has jurisdiction to review both completed and anticipated merger transactions provided there is a ‘relevant merger situation’. Three conditions must be met for a ‘relevant merger situation’ to exist: • two or more enterprises (or businesses) must ‘cease to be distinct’, and • the target's size or the merger's impact on competition is large enough to meet one of the jurisdictional threshold tests, and • the merger is within the time limit for review For information on the CMA's investigation process, see The UK merger investigation process. For details of ongoing UK merger investigations, see UK mergers–case tracker. DMCC Act On 3 June 2024, the DMCC Act was published, following Royal Assent given on 24 May 2024. In relation to merger control, the DMCC Act: • establishes