The World Trade Organization (WTO)’s Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) has agreed at its meeting on 23 June 2025 to establish two panels—one at China’s request to examine Canadian surtaxes on Chinese-origin products such as electric vehicles, steel and aluminium, and another at Canada’s request to review China’s additional import duties on Canadian agricultural and fishery products. Both parties claim the other’s measures violate WTO rules. China and Canada defended their respective actions, with Canada requesting urgency due to the perishable nature of the goods. Multiple WTO members, including the United States, European Union and Japan, reserved third-party rights in both disputes. The DSB also discussed Appellate Body appointments, with Colombia reiterating a proposal on behalf of 130 members, and the United States maintaining its opposition. The next DSB meeting is scheduled for 25 July 2025.

ARCHIVED–this archived case hub reflects the position at the date of the judgment of 22 May 2020; it is no longer maintained. See further, timeline and related cases. Case facts Outline Appeal against the CAT’s judgment of 14 February 2019 which dismissed Mastercard’s application that Dixon’s and Europcar’s damages claims in relation to the period from 22 May 1992 to 20 June 2004 were time-barred pursuant to Rule 31(4) of the CAT Rules 2003 and section 2 of the Limitation Act 1980.  Latest developments On 22 May 2020, the Court of Appeal issued its judgment. it held that the CAT erred in its: (i) interpretation of Rule 31(4) of the CAT’s 2003 Rules and that the claims in respect of pre-20 June 1997 transactions were prima facie time-barred under rule 31(4); and (ii) consideration of the application of the Limitation Act 1980 (in the event that rule 31(4) was engaged). Parties • Appellant: Mastercard Incorporated, Mastercard International Incorporated and Mastercard Europe SA (together Mastercard): Mastercard is an USA based company that provides financial

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) represented by Minister for the Digital Economy, Liz Lloyd CBE, addressed a techUK cybersecurity event. In her speech, Minister Lloyd reaffirmed the UK government’s commitment to the cybersecurity sector, highlighting its role as a key driver of economic growth, job creation, and national resilience through the forthcoming Cyber Security and Resilience Bill. She confirmed that the Bill will be introduced to Parliament ‘when Parliamentary time allows,’ but did not provide a firmer timeline. The Minister clarified that the legislation is intended to apply only to the most critical services, stating that ‘the vast majority of UK businesses and organisations will not be covered by the Cyber Bill because we do not think it would be proportionate.’ She also referenced the development of a new National Cyber Strategy, which will build on existing initiatives to ensure the UK remains secure and competitive in the face of evolving cyber threats.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology's (DSIT) Secretary of State, Peter Kyle, has commissioned an Action Plan which highlights how AI can boost economic growth and enhance lives by ensuring efficient services and developing innovative products. The Science Secretary of State has also appointed the Advanced Research and Invention Agency, Chair, Matt Clifford, to push start the Action Plan. The Action Plan will evaluate essential enablers such as the UK’s compute and broader infrastructure requirements by 2030, how the infrastructure is accessible for start-ups and scale-ups and will also evaluate how to develop and attract AI talent in the public and private sectors. The International Monetary Fund estimated that the UK's productivity could rise to 1.5% per year due to the Action Plan.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and the Cabinet Office have published an open letter to business leaders warning that cyber threats, increasingly enabled by artificial intelligence (AI), are growing in scale, sophistication and impact. The government cautions that AI is lowering the barrier to entry for malicious actors and enabling more effective attacks, particularly in areas such as phishing, impersonation and social engineering, meaning cyber risk now poses a significant threat to business operations, finances and reputation.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) have launched expert working groups comprising representatives from the creative industries and artificial intelligence sectors to tackle issues within the copyright framework. This initiative, following a December 2024 consultation that attracted 11,500 responses, saw Technology and Culture Secretaries launch the initial round of discussions in London today. The groups will focus on evaluating the impacts and opportunities surrounding AI and the copyright debate, with an emphasis on enhancing mutual understanding between rights holders and AI developers.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) have published the Digital and Technologies Sector Plan and the Creative Industries Sector Plan under the UK’s National Strategy for Economic Transformation. Both plans reaffirm the government’s intention to support rightsholders in licensing their work in the digital age while enabling artificial intelligence (AI) developers to access creative material. The government is continuing to analyse responses to its consultation on delivering a copyright and AI framework and has committed to publishing a detailed economic impact assessment and a report on the use of copyright material for AI training, transparency and technical standards. No timeline has been provided for this work.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and the Government Digital Service (GDS) have published 'A blueprint for modern digital government', setting out a long-term vision for digital public services in the UK. The document outlines a six-point plan for public sector digital reform, including joining up services, harnessing AI, strengthening digital infrastructure, elevating leadership, reforming funding models, and improving transparency. Key initiatives include creating a new unified GDS, developing a GOV.UK App and Digital Wallet, and establishing an AI adoption unit. The blueprint aims to address systemic challenges identified in the State of Digital Government Review and transform public service delivery.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has published a new Cyber Governance Code of Practice on 8 April 2025, following industry consultation in 2024. The code outlines actions for boards and directors to manage cyber security risks across five areas: risk management, strategy, people, incident planning, and assurance. It forms part of a wider governance package that includes training and an implementation toolkit, primarily targeting medium and large organisations. The code was developed in response to data showing 74% of large businesses experienced cyber attacks in the past year.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) have launched the Cyber Resilience Pledge with over 60 founding signatories including M&S, Nationwide and Microsoft UK. The voluntary pledge requires signatories to implement board-level cyber governance under the Cyber Governance Code of Practice, register for the NCSC's Early Warning service and adopt Cyber Essentials certification across supply chains on a risk-based basis. The pledge is described as a central pillar of the forthcoming National Cyber Action Plan, which will include measures under the National Security Bill to address cyber crime. DSIT has separately developed a Cyber Charter with its 39 strategic suppliers, more than 20 of which have signed the pledge. The NCSC recorded 204 nationally significant incidents in the year to September 2025, up from 89 the prior year, with annual costs to organisations estimated at £14.7 billion.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) have launched a consultation on a new draft Cyber Governance Code of Practice to improve businesses’ cyber resilience. The proposed guidelines seek to make cyber security issues a key focus for businesses and make recommendations for directors to set out clear roles and responsibilities across their organisations, to have detailed response and recovery plans in the event of cyber incidents which are regularly tested and to have formal systems for reporting incidents among other recommendations. The government has also published its response to its call for views on software resilience and security for businesses and organisations. The deadline for response for the consultation on the Cyber Governance Code of Practice is 19 March 2024.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has reached an agreement with seven telecom companies responsible for maintaining the UK’s internet and phone infrastructure, to take new protective measures to safeguard vulnerable customers. These measures include ensuring that customers' lifesaving buttons remain operational and that suitable alternatives are available before any migration of landlines to the new digital network occurs. DSIT has now successfully obtained agreement from a majority of the telecoms sector.