The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) has launched Pension Wise Digital, a new digital appointment service that will offer customers the equivalent guidance of a Pension Wise telephone or face-to-face appointment, to expand the Pension Wise service to more people. Users will be able to access digital appointments at any time, save individual progress through the platform and return to it in their own time, and still receive support from pension experts as the webchat on the platform will be manned by MoneyHelper’s pensions specialists. As with the existing channels for a Pension Wise appointment, users must be over 50 with a defined contribution pension to book an appointment via this new platform. MaPS will continue to offer telephone and face-to-face appointments.

The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) has called on young people to pay into their pension after its survey of 2,000 UK 18 to 25-year-olds revealed that one in three (29%) who are currently working have never contributed to a pension while just over half (54%) are currently contributing to it. MaPS highlights the impact on non-savers through research from the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries which shows that contributing to your pension from age 35 instead of 25 could result in a loss of over £300k for a retirement pot.

The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) has published its latest progress update report on pensions dashboards, confirming that around 85% of pension records in scope are now connected to the pensions dashboards ecosystem and that the programme remains on track for the statutory 31 October 2026 connection deadline. Nearly 1,500 pension providers and schemes are reported to be connected. The update emphasises that, as schemes and providers complete connection, the focus is shifting to data quality, operational readiness and ongoing compliance, with trustees and scheme managers expected to maintain accurate and complete dashboard data after connection.

A medium that can be read by a machine eg CD ROMs, computer tapes.

Construction analysis: The Technology and Construction Court (TCC) confirmed that a very granular approach to arguments on breach of natural justice in circumstances where the parties sought a global valuation, is highly unlikely to succeed. Where an adjudicator’s decision falls within the range argued by the parties, minor irregularities or broad-brush explanations in the adjudicator’s reasoning will not undermine their decision unless there is a material breach of natural justice.

A macrocell is normally a mast or other structure supporting a large antenna designed to give coverage over a large area.

Madagascar has notified the World Trade Organization’s Committee on Safeguards of its safeguard investigation on polypropylene woven sheaths and bags initiated on 27 December 2023. In the notification, Madagascar indicated that interested parties should make themselves known to Madagascar’s investigating authority within 30 days from the date of initiation of the investigation.

NOTE—to see whether notification thresholds in Madagascar and throughout the world are met, see further: Where to Notify. Madagascar is also a member of COMESA, which operates a supra-national merger control regime. 1. Have there been any recent developments regarding the Madagascar merger control regime and are any updates/developments expected in the coming year? Are there any other ‘hot’ merger control issues in Madagascar? The merger control regime in Madagascar is governed by Law No. 2018-020 of 23 August 2018 reforming the Competition Law (the Competition Law). Decree No. 2008-771 of 28 July 2008 (the Decree) remains applicable until new implementing texts are adopted. Enforcement of the law is carried out by the members of the Conseil de la Concurrence (the Authority). The implementing decree of the Competition Law is currently in the process of being adopted. The Competition Law, Arts 39.2, 47.5 and 84 of the were declared unconstitutional by the High Constitutional Court in its Decision No. 023-HCC/D3 of 14 August 2018 (not reported by LexisNexis®). These articles relate to certain provisions

The Cabinet Office has announced the appointment of Madeleine Alessandri CMG as the new Chair of the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) and the head of the Joint Intelligence Organisation (JIO). On 1 July 2023, Alessandri, who is currently Permanent Secretary at the Northern Ireland Office and previously the UK’s Deputy National Security Adviser and Prime Minister’s Adviser on National Resilience and Security, will be replacing Simon Gass who is stepping down after four years as Chair of the JIC.

The Madrid Court of Arbitration has adopted the Procedural Guide prepared by the Good Practices Commission of the International and Ibero-American Arbitration Centre of Madrid (CIIAM) and has incorporated it as a reference guide for arbitration proceedings administered by the Court. The advisory, non-binding guide aims to strengthen the transparency and efficiency of arbitral proceedings and provides practical guidance on matters including party representation, arbitrators' duties, independence and impartiality, disclosure obligations, the use of artificial intelligence by arbitrators, arbitral secretaries, procedural management, awards, emergency arbitration and costs. Intended as a reference for arbitrators, parties and arbitration users, the Guide is now available on the Court's website alongside the Court's other guidance documents and operational notes.

The Madrid Court of Arbitration has approved new regulations set to take effect on 1 January 2025. These rules, inspired by and aligned with those of the International Arbitration Center of Madrid – Ibero-American Arbitration Center (CIAM-CIAR), aim to enhance excellence and innovation in arbitration proceedings. Key changes include the removal of certain procedural instruction articles, more comprehensive regulation of third-party intervention and joinder of proceedings, streamlined arbitrator appointment processes, the introduction of a hyper-abbreviated procedure and a revised optional award challenge procedure. These updates seek to harmonise regulations between institutions, simplify user experience and reinforce Madrid's position as a leading arbitration hub.

The High Court of Justice of Madrid has recognised an international arbitration award ordering Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA) and its subsidiary Corporación Venezolana del Petróleo, S.A. (CVP) to pay British company ConocoPhillips Gulf of Paria B.V. $US 33.7m plus accrued interest. The award stems from a loan granted by ConocoPhillips to acquire a 35% stake in the Corocoro Find oil project, which was nationalised by Venezuela in 2007. The original arbitration was conducted in New York under International Chamber of Commerce rules, with the award issued on 29 July 2019. ConocoPhillips filed an exequatur lawsuit in July 2024 seeking enforcement in Spain under the 1958 New York Convention. The Madrid court concluded the award met all Convention requirements, finding the matter arbitrable, procedural guarantees respected, and recognition not contrary to Spanish public policy. The resolution is final, admits no appeal, and orders PDVSA and CVP to pay the exequatur procedure costs jointly and severally. Interest is calculated from October 2002 at a rate equivalent to LIBOR plus 1% per annum.