The House of Commons Library has published a briefing on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill 2024-25, a private member's bill aimed at legalising assisted dying for terminally ill adults in England and Wales. The Bill, set for its second reading on 29 November 2024, proposes a framework allowing eligible individuals to request assistance in ending their lives, subject to medical and judicial approval. The government has declared neutrality on the issue, granting MPs a free vote. Concerns have been raised regarding the adequacy of parliamentary scrutiny for private members' Bills, the proposed judicial safeguards, and potential human rights implications. This marks the first Commons vote on assisted dying legislation since 2015, when a similar bill was rejected by a significant margin.

The House of Commons Library has published an insight piece analysing the law officers' convention and its recent application in UK Government. The convention, which ensures confidentiality of legal advice to ministers, has come under scrutiny due to potential conflicts of interest involving the current Attorney General, Lord Hermer KC. The piece explores the rationale behind the convention, its limits, and the ongoing debate over whether specific recusals should be disclosed without breaching confidentiality. Recent controversies, including questions about Lord Hermer's recusal in advising on the government's response to the Dillon v Secretary of State for Northern Ireland case, highlight the tension between maintaining confidentiality and ensuring transparency in government legal affairs.

The House of Commons Library has published a research briefing on the constitutional status and functions of law officers across the UK. The document outlines the roles of law officers in the UK Government, as well as those advising the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It details their varied responsibilities, including oversight of prosecution services, representation of governments in litigation and provision of legal advice to cabinets and legislatures. The briefing also addresses the complex issue of law officers' independence, noting that while most can be politically active, certain aspects of their work require a degree of separation from government and party politics. Additionally, the paper highlights the law officers' specific statutory powers and duties, particularly in relation to the devolution settlements, providing a thorough examination of these crucial legal advisory positions within the UK's constitutional framework.

The House of Commons Library has published a briefing detailing the Labour government's new approach to assimilated law reform following the 2024 general election. The second statutory report, released in July 2024, reveals that of the 6,735 pieces of retained EU law (REUL) or assimilated law, 65% remain unchanged, while 12% have been amended and 22% repealed. Unlike its predecessor, the Labour government has not set a quantitative target for further reform, instead focusing on creating a 'pro-business' regulatory environment. A notable development is the proposed Product Regulation and Metrology Bill, which would grant ministers powers to align UK product laws with EU regulations and potentially reduce regulatory friction across the UK, particularly in relation to Northern Ireland.

The House of Commons Library has published a research briefing examining the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) framework in UK immigration law. The briefing reports that from 2015 to 2024, around 61,000 ECHR appeals succeeded in the first-tier immigration tribunal. Despite media coverage highlighting appeals by criminals specifically, successful challenges by foreign criminals represented approximately 3% of completed deportations for criminal offending. The document outlines current legal provisions under Articles 3 and 8 of the ECHR, including different deportation tests based on sentence length and various exceptions within immigration rules. The briefing notes that the current government is conducting an internal review of ECHR implementation, with then Home Secretary Yvette Cooper stating that around 30% of immigration decisions are being treated as 'exceptional' under ECHR interpretations. The briefing reports that the May 2025 immigration white paper promised legislation to strengthen the public interest test and clarify Article 8 rules to reduce cases treated as exceptional. The briefing also documents the historical development of ECHR immigration rights from the 1985 Abdulaziz case through to recent Supreme Court decisions.

The House of Commons Library published a briefing to help MPs and their staff handle constituency enquiries on immigration, asylum and nationality. Routine cases can often be addressed using trusted information sources or the Home Office’s MP Account Management service. More complex cases should be referred to a specialist solicitor or immigration adviser. The Library stresses that immigration advice is legally regulated and immigration law is complex. MPs’ offices should therefore provide general information and direct constituents to qualified professional advice rather than advise on individual cases themselves. The briefing also summarises the UK immigration and asylum system and British citizenship rules. It provides guidance on handling casework and identifies sources of official information and specialist support. Free immigration law training is also available to MPs’ staff through the House of Commons Act platform.

The House of Commons Library has published a research briefing on the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), outlining its role in England's planning system, proposed reforms to the NPPF and stakeholder responses. The briefing explains that the proposed reforms, consulted on between December 2025 and March 2026, would introduce significant changes to national planning policy, including a restructured framework separating plan-making and national decision-making policies, a more rules-based approach to development and a permanent presumption in favour of suitably located development. It also summarises proposals relating to housing, transport, climate change, green belt policy, infrastructure and local plan-making, together with stakeholder views and recent parliamentary activity relating to the reforms.

The House of Commons Library has published a research briefing on immigration fees, noting that people applying for visas, permission to stay, settlement or citizenship usually pay fees that have risen significantly above inflation over the past 20 years, with settlement now costing £3,029 at the time of writing. Applicants also pay the immigration health surcharge, set at £1,035 per year (or £776 for students and children) and employers face an employer levy of up to £1,320 a year on work visas, contributing to upfront costs. The briefing explains that the Home Office aims for a largely self-funded borders and immigration system, with fees set higher than processing costs to support wider operations.

The House of Commons Library has published a research briefing on the recently implemented ‘visa brake’ policy, whereby the government introduced a temporary restriction on certain out-of-country visa applications for nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan to reduce asylum claims from visa holders. The briefing explains that the policy, which came into force on 26 March 2026, prevents the granting of Student visas to nationals of the four countries and Skilled Worker visas to Afghan nationals for an initial 18-month period, after which it will be reviewed and may be extended or lifted. The briefing notes that asylum claims from people entering the UK on visas have increased significantly, accounting for 39% of all claims in 2025, compared with 13% in 2021.

The House of Commons Library has published a research briefing reviewing the requirement for voters to present photographic identification at polling stations to prevent the electoral crime of personation. The briefing highlights that the introduction of the voter ID requirement has been controversial. Critics have argued that the level of personation is low and does not justify the risk of preventing people without ID from voting, the government maintains that it protects election integrity. The briefing explains that the Labour Government plans to review the scheme and its impact on voters, taking into account the Electoral Commission’s recommendations and plans to publish the result of the review in 2025. It has also added the Armed Forces Veterans Card to the list of approved IDs from 1 May 2025.

The House of Commons Library has published a research briefing that provides a detailed 'mapping' of the UK's uncodified constitution. This document synthesises the main elements of the UK's constitutional framework, drawing from various sources including legislation, royal prerogative, case law and conventions. The briefing emphasises recent developments, such as the codification of conventions in official documents like the Cabinet Manual and Ministerial Code. It also references the Supreme Court's Miller II judgment, which underscored the constitution's flexibility and pragmatic evolution. The paper aims to offer a navigational aid through the complex landscape of the UK constitution, focusing on its current state and encompassing both legal and ceremonial aspects.

The House of Commons Library has published research briefing maps of the new unitary authorities proposed by the government across Essex, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Norfolk and Suffolk. The briefing summarises proposals announced on 25 March 2026.