The Council of the European Union has given the final stamp to a new EU law harmonising key aspects of insolvency rules across the EU, aiming to make the EU business environment more attractive to cross-border investors by reducing the complexity of different national insolvency rules. The EU-wide rules seek to maximise the value creditors can recover from insolvent companies and increase the efficiency of insolvency proceedings, representing a step towards more efficient and integrated European capital markets and supporting EU competitiveness.

The Council of the EU has approved the European Commission’s proposal to delay the implementation of revised rules under the Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation for chemical products until 1 January 2028. This measure, known as the ‘stop-the-clock’ mechanism is part of the Commission’s broader ‘Omnibus VI’ simplification package and aims to provide legal certainty to businesses by harmonising the application dates for obligations such as relabelling, formatting, advertising, distance sales, and fuel pump labelling. The Danish Presidency prioritised the proposal due to its significant impact on the chemical sector and its relevance to EU competitiveness. Member states supported the postponement to avoid fragmented implementation and ensure regulatory clarity. The Council’s approval enables negotiations with the European Parliament to finalise the legislative changes.

The Council of the EU, in its position adopted at first reading on 8 July 2025 on the proposed regulation amending the ESRB Regulation, the EBA Regulation, EIOPA Regulation, the ESMA Regulation, the SRM Regulation, the InvestEU Programme Regulation and the AML Authority Regulation (Regulations (EU) 1092/2010, 1093/2010, 1094/2010, 1095/2010, 806/2014, 2021/523 and 2024/1620), set out its reasons for supporting the proposal. It stated that the position reflects the outcome of negotiations with the European Parliament and supports the objective of ensuring that reporting requirements in the financial services and investment sectors are proportionate, streamlined and effective. The Council also noted that the proposal aims to reduce administrative burdens, avoid duplication and improve the efficiency of supervisory data collection.

The Council of the EU has published a note ahead of the 2 September 2025 trilogue negotiations on the proposed Regulation amending the European Fund for Strategic Investments Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2015/1017), the InvestEU Programme Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2021/523), the Horizon Europe Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2021/695) and the Connecting Europe Facility Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2021/1153). The proposal aims to increase the efficiency of the EU guarantee under the InvestEU Programme Regulation and simplify reporting requirements. It addresses the Council’s substantial financing needs in priority areas such as innovation, the clean and digital transition, and social investment, and seeks to enhance the InvestEU fund’s capacity to mobilise both public and private investment. The note includes a four-column table setting out the Commission proposal, European Parliament amendments and the Council mandate.

The Council of the European Union has adopted its negotiating mandate on a targeted revision of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 (EUDR). The revision aims to simplify implementation, reduce administrative burdens, and postpone the regulation’s application to give operators, traders, and authorities more time to prepare. The Council removed the grace period proposed by the European Commission for larger companies, opting instead for a uniform extension for all operators.

The Council of the EU has reached an agreement on its position for the 2026 EU draft budget, setting commitments at €186.24bn and payments at €186.49bn—excluding appropriations for special instruments outside the multiannual financial framework (MFF). The Council has adopted a prudent and realistic approach based on three key principles: (1) ensuring the appropriate implementation of policies and programmes; (2) maintaining the capacity to respond to ongoing crises and; (3) preserving sufficient margins under MFF ceilings for unforeseen circumstances.

Environment analysis: Angus Evers, partner at Shoosmiths LLP, examines a district judge's decision in Bristol City Council v MB Estate Ltd to fine a property company £18,000 for failing to comply with a community protection notice issued by the local authority requiring it to prevent the spread of Japanese knotweed on its property.

This Practice Note summarises all aspects of council tax. It explains the role of the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), outlining the council tax valuation bands and possible appeals against them. This Practice Note also highlights the exemptions and discounts that can be applied, and the process for billing and appeals. What is council tax and what is its purpose? The council tax was introduced on 1 April 1993 as the primary source of collecting income from local residents by local authorities in England. The legislation also covers Wales but the administration of council tax in Wales is a matter for the Welsh Assembly Government. The council tax replaced the community charge (or, as it was more commonly known, the 'poll tax') which itself had replaced domestic rating in April 1990. Council tax is a local domestic property-based tax levied by billing authorities on the basis of the broad capital valuation band to which a property has been allocated. Various discounts, exemptions and reductions in valuations are provided for. A council tax benefits scheme is in

A local tax on residential dwellings which goes towards paying for the services provided both by the local authority that collects it, known as the billing authority, and other authorities in the area, known as preceptors.

Local Government analysis: The resolution of a man not to pay council tax has led to a case that offers practitioners clarity on council tax liability orders and the interaction between such orders and pension income. Having been instructed in the case by Robert Brown, highways and enforcement solicitor, at Powys County Council, Jonathan Elystan Rees, of Apex Chambers, here gives his assessment of the case and its key points.

Income-related benefit to assist with the costs of Council Tax.

This Practice Note outlines the statutory requirements for enforcing payment of council tax. It sets out the statutory requirements for demanding sums owed, the process of issuing a summons for a debtor to appear at the magistrates’ court together with methods of enforcement such as attachment of earnings, charging of property and in very extreme cases, committal to prison. Council tax was introduced as the primary source of collecting income from local residents by local authorities in England on 1 April 1993. The legislation also covers Wales but the administration of council tax in Wales is a matter for the Welsh government. The council tax replaced the community charge (or, as it was more commonly known, the 'poll tax') which itself had replaced domestic rating in April 1990. See Practice Note: Council tax. The scheme of enforcement of council tax is derived from regulations made by the Secretary of State under the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (LGFA 1992), pursuant to the powers set out in Schedule 4 modelled upon that which operated