The Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR) has published its eighth report of Session 2024–26 scrutinising a proposed remedial order to amend section 9(3) of the Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA 1998) following the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in SW v United Kingdom (Application No 87/18). The proposed order seeks to permit damages for judicial acts done in good faith, that breach procedural rights under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), thereby remedying incompatibility with the right to an effective remedy under Article 13 ECHR identified by the ECtHR. However, the JCHR warns that the proposed amendment to HRA 1998, s 9(3) does not go far enough to address the incompatibility, recommending further amendment or removal of the provision.

The Joint Committee on National Security Strategy (JCNSS) has launched an inquiry on 'Defending Democracy' in light of the elections expected to take place this year. In 2023, the government reiterated its position and promised 'new action' to defend democracy as the 'first duty of any government'. The government has identified democratic resilience as an 'area of vulnerability for the UK'. The Defending Democracy Taskforce was launched in November 2022 and sits under the National Security Council with the aim of protecting the democratic integrity of the UK. A report by the JCNSS identified cyber-attacks as a risk in the run-up to elections in 2024. JCNSS has asked for evidence to be submitted by 18 March 2024 on various questions.

The Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy (JCNSS) has published and commented on the government’s response to its first Report of Session 2023–24, ‘A hostage to fortune: ransomware and UK national security’. The Chair of the JCNSS, Margaret Beckett, has expressed ongoing concern that the government’s ‘short-termism and lack of preparation and planning are leaving the UK wide open to a severely damaging ransomware attack’. The report by the JNCSS covered various topics, including the scale and nature of the ransomware threat, UK preparedness and resilience, victim support and recovery, government structures and approach, and the raising costs for attackers. The JCNSS has said that it will continue to monitor and follow up on the issues raised in its report, in particular, the issues where its recommendations to enhance critical elements were rejected.

The Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy (JCNSS) has published correspondence seeking further information from the government on defence and resilience spending, the UK’s approach to China and the United States, and the development of sovereign capabilities. In a letter to Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Darren Jones, Committee Chair, Matt Western MP said several recommendations from the Committee’s National Security Strategy report remained unaddressed, including requests for greater clarity on plans to meet the commitment to spend 1.5% of GDP on security and resilience by 2035, preparations for a scenario in which Europe can no longer rely on US support during a crisis, and the Government’s definition of sovereign capabilities.

The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC) has abolished the ‘shareholder rule’ which previously was thought to allow shareholders to access the company’s legally privileged company documents, in its judgment in Jardine Strategic Ltd v Oasis Investments II Master Fund Ltd & Others [2025] UKPC 34.

The Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments (JCSI) has reported 1 statutory instrument (SI) in its 10th report of session 2026–27.

The Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments (JCSI) has reported 4 statutory instrument (SI) in its 11th report of session 2026–27.

The Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments (JCSI) has reported 4 statutory instruments in its 1st report of session 2026–27.

The Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments (JCSI) has reported 4 statutory instruments in its 2nd report of session 2026–27.

The Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments (JCSI) has reported five statutory instruments: two for defective drafting, two for failure to comply with proper legislative practice and one for requiring elucidation.

The Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments (JCSI) has reported the Criminal Legal Aid (General and Remuneration) (Amendment) Regulations 2025, SI 2025/1251, for failure to comply with proper legislative practice.

The Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments (JCSI) has reported three statutory instruments on the grounds of failure to comply with proper legislative practice, doubt as to vires and requiring elucidation.