Pensions analysis: On 3 July 2017, the DWP published its consultation response to the draft Occupational Pension Schemes (Charges and Governance) (Amendment) Regulations 2017, confirming that these regulations will introduce further restrictions on member-borne commissions and early exit charges in occupational pension schemes from 1 October 2017.

The Ministry of Justice and the Home Office have introduced the domestic abuse protection  order (DAPO) pilot from 27 November 2024, aiming to provide enhanced safeguards for victims of all forms of domestic abuse. DAPOs, to be issued by family, civil, and criminal courts, will have no time restrictions and cover physical, psychological, stalking, and coercive control. Initially launched in Greater Manchester and the three London boroughs of Croydon, Bromley and Sutton, DAPOs allow for immediate police intervention and longer-term protection. Notably, family courts can impose electronic tagging in serious cases. As well as imposing exclusion zones, DAPOs can mandate positive requirements such as attendance at a behaviour change programme. Breaching an order will be a criminal offence carrying a maximum five-year prison sentence. The MoJ has confirmed that DAPOs will also be available in Cleveland and North Wales from early 2025 ahead of a national rollout.

Environment analysis: In a ruling of importance to public law practitioners, the High Court has applied the approach to the availability of Aarhus costs protection set out by the Court of Appeal in HM Treasury v Global Feedback, finding that, as a matter of construction, sections 1, 9 and 122 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (RTRA 1984) are ‘provisions of national law relating to the environment’. This demonstrates both the practical application of the Global Feedback approach in a specific statutory context and also shows that anticipation by practitioners that Global Feedback represented a sweeping curb on the availability of costs protection was misplaced. Moreover, the High Court emphasised the strictness of rules in CPR 46, Pt IX that relate to challenges to the applicability of the cost capping provisions. Defendants who fail to challenge that status at the earliest possible stage of proceedings, namely in the acknowledgement of service, are unlikely to granted extensions of time to do so at a later stage. Written by Brendan Brett, barrister at Francis Taylor Building.

Full-time or part-time education suitable to the requirements of persons who are over the compulsory school age.

The government has announced a further funding extension, following the recent announcement about the Windrush Advocacy Support Fund. The Home Office has extended the Community Engagement Fund (CEF) with an additional £150,000 to support Windrush scandal victims in claiming compensation. This grassroots initiative, which successfully reached over 50,000 people in its first year, aims to address barriers preventing victims from coming forward, such as misconceptions that the schemes only apply to Caribbean communities. Local groups can apply for grants between £5,000 and £10,000 to deliver projects that raise awareness among non-Caribbean communities, gather insights on why eligible individuals aren't applying, and help connect potential claimants with support services. The initiative complements the £1.5m Advocacy Support Fund, which provides practical and emotional assistance to victims. Applications for the CEF are open until 28 May 2025.'

The Home Office has issued updated EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) caseworker guidance, primarily to reflect changes to the EUSS made in Statement of changes in Immigration Rules HC 295. In addition to those changes, the updated guidance also now contains some examples of circumstances in which the Home Office will consider implementing its policy on EUSS leave previously granted in error to a relevant EEA citizen or a relevant sponsor. Where this does apply, the Home Office will request additional information and evidence, and if still not satisfied that the original leave should have been granted, it will refuse the person/their family member’s application and inform them their status will expire automatically at the end of their current leave.

Further Notice to former Tenant or Guarantor of Revised Amount due in Respect of a Fixed Charge (Landlord and Tenant (Covenants) Act 1995, section 17) To: [insert full name of Tenant] of [insert address] IMPORTANT—THE PERSON GIVING THIS NOTICE IS PROTECTING THE RIGHT TO RECOVER THE AMOUNT(S) SPECIFIED FROM YOU NOW OR AT SOME TIME IN THE FUTURE. THERE MAY BE ACTION WHICH YOU CAN TAKE TO PROTECT YOUR POSITION. READ THE NOTICE AND ALL THE NOTES OVERLEAF CAREFULLY. IF YOU ARE IN ANY DOUBT ABOUT THE ACTION YOU SHOULD TAKE, SEEK ADVICE IMMEDIATELY, FOR INSTANCE FROM A SOLICITOR OR CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU. 1 This notice is given under section 17 of the Landlord and Tenant (Covenants) Act 1995. (see Note 1) 2 It relates to [insert address and description of the property] let under a lease dated [insert the date in its full format

Dispute Resolution analysis: The Damages Based Agreements Regulations Reform Project 2019 held a conference on Thursday 17th October to present the newly drafted 2019 Damages-based Agreements Regulations (2019 DBA Regulations). Drafted by Professor Rachael Mulheron and Nicolas Bacon QC, who were invited by the Ministry of Justice to conduct an independent review of the existing Damages-Based Agreement Regulations 2013 (2013 DBA Regulations), the draft regulations mark a significant shift in approach with some key changes intended to address the criticisms levelled at the existing regulations. Feedback on the 2019 DBA Regulations is welcome and must be provided by Friday, 15 November 2019.

Restructuring & Insolvency analysis: The High Court in Re Moss Groundworks considered the balance between facilitating the survival of a company’s business by way of a pre-pack sale and guarding against the potential abuses. The case also highlights the need to provide sufficient evidential material in order that the court may exercise its discretion to grant an administration order under Schedule B1 of the Insolvency Act 1986. Written by Louis Doyle, barrister at Kings Chambers, Manchester, who appeared as counsel for the applicant company.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told a key House committee on 11 June 2025 that it is ‘highly likely’ the Trump administration will continue to suspend the ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs announced in April 2025 past the original 90-day moratorium for certain countries that continue to negotiate with the US.

1 The [Contractor/Consultant] shall, as and when the Beneficiary from time to time requires, whether before or after completion of

Thermonuclear fusion: A process in which two or more light nuclei are formed into a heavier nucleus and energy is released.