In a statement made by the Rt Hon John Healey MP, Secretary of State for Defence on behalf of the Ministry of Defence (MoD), the government has announced various changes to its Afghan resettlement schemes. Key reforms include streamlining the resettlement process across departments (with the aim of bringing together a single pipeline for Afghan resettlement), capping transitional accommodation stays at nine months from spring, and continuing funding for settled housing for approximately half of the arrivals. The government plans to welcome around 90 eligible families monthly and expects a 25% overturn rate on previously ineligible Triples applications. A co-design process with local authorities is planned to further develop the programme. Notably, the government has signalled its intention to eventually close the UK Afghan resettlement schemes, though no specific timeline was provided. These changes are stated to aim to improve efficiency, integration outcomes, and value for money in the resettlement process.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Defence Infrastructure Organisation have formally completed a landmark deal to bring 36,347 military houses back into public ownership. This acquisition, valued at £10.1 billion and purchased for just under £6 billion, terminates a £600,000 daily rental expense and allows for significant housing redevelopment. The impact on net financial debt is limited to £1.7 billion. The agreement facilitates accelerated construction of modern housing, with planning applications imminent for RAF Brize Norton and Catterick Garrison. A new military housing strategy is under development, focusing on accommodation renewal, homeownership opportunities for forces personnel, and optimal utilisation of MoD land. This deal effectively reverses the 1996 privatisation, which had resulted in an estimated £8 billion loss to taxpayers over time.

Law360: Scotland's highest civil court will hear the Ministry of Defence (MoD)'s appeal against a ruling concerning the pension treatment of part-time army reservists compared with full-time personnel, in a case that could affect more than 1,000 stayed claims.

Law360, London: Thousands of ex-servicemen and women resumed their legal battle on 6 October 2025 for compensation over noise-induced hearing loss suffered during their military service in a trial that could have wide implications for other military and civilian claims over hearing loss.

Law360: An appeals tribunal has rejected the Ministry of Defence (MoD)'s attempt to overturn a ruling that it treated a long-standing part-time army reservist less favourably than full-time personnel by excluding him from the army pension scheme.

Law360: A Scottish tribunal has declined to reconsider a ruling that the Ministry of Defence's (MoD) refusal to let a retired army reserve officer join the armed forces’ pension scheme left him worse off than full-time military personnel.

The Ministry for Defence (MoD) has published the oral statement given by the Minister for Defence Procurement, James Cartlidge, to Parliament on the new Integrated Procurement Model. In the statement, Cartlidge announced the new Integrated Procurement Model which has five key features. Cartlidge has said that the new approach will: be joined up with procurement anchored in pan-defence affordability; have new checks and balances; prioritise exportability; empower industrial innovation; and, purpose spiral development by default.

The Ministry of Defence has published non-statutory guidance addressing the educational and wellbeing needs of Service pupils in English schools. The guidance targets state-funded schools and local authorities, providing framework for supporting children from military families from reception to year 11. The document applies to maintained schools, academies and non-maintained special schools in England, offering specific direction on understanding and addressing the unique needs of Service children.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has completed its statutory review of the Whiplash Injury Regulations 2021, SI 2021/642, as mandated by the Civil Liability Act 2018. The Lord Chancellor's report, presented to Parliament on 21 November 2024, recommends maintaining the existing tariff structure while increasing amounts by 14-15% to account for inflation. Key decisions include retaining the current duration bands and split between whiplash and whiplash with minor psychological injury. The Ministry will explore providing further guidance on defining minor psychological injuries. Next steps involve an eight-week consultation with the Lady Chief Justice, followed by the preparation of a revised Statutory Instrument under the affirmative resolution procedure to implement the changes. The updated Regulations will apply to claims arising from accidents occurring on or after the commencement date.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has updated the guidance 'Updates on procedure rules and forms for civil proceedings in magistrates' court and the Crown Court', amending the Magistrates’ Courts Rules 1981, SI 1981/552 and the Crown Court Rules 1982, SI 1982/1109. The Magistrates’ Courts (Amendment) Rules 2024, SI 2024/254 and Crown Court (Amendment) Rules 2024, SI 2024/259 will amend applications and appeals relating to domestic abuse protection orders, supplying information to the court via forms or online, correction of the magistrates’ court register and the service of documents and live link directions in Crown Court civil proceedings. These Rules come into force on 8 April 2024.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) have announced a new rule which means that parties engaged in small claims of up to £10,000 will be subject to a compulsory one-hour mediation appointment. This mediation appointment will be provided by HMCTS’ Small Claims Mediation Service and is free. The aim of this initiative is to achieve a greater number of successful out-of-court resolutions and to allow judges to dedicate their time more efficiently to resolving cases less suited to mediation.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) have released information on changes to automatic release dates for some prisoners in England and Wales. Some prisoners will now serve 40% of their sentence in prison rather than 50%. The remainder of their sentence will continue to be served in the community under the supervision of probation. This change will be reviewed after 18 months. This change will not apply to sentences for sex offences, serious violent offences with a sentence of four years or more, terrorist offences, offences relating to national security and offences connected to domestic abuse (stalking and non-fatal strangulation).