Practice Compliance analysis: Dr Angelika Hellweger, legal director of Rahman Ravelli Solicitors considers the latest amendment to the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, and explains Russia Regulations sanctions, its key provisions, why legal services are being targeted and the impact this will have on law firms.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and HM Courts & Tribunals Service has announced the introduction of a law that will assist people pursuing claims against businesses to secure funding from third parties when launching claims. The purpose of the new law is to facilitate access to justice and hold corporations to account, restoring the position which existed before the judgment of R (on the application of PACCAR Inc and others) (Appellants) v Competition Appeal Tribunal and others (Respondents) [2023] UKSC 28. Lord Chancellor, Alex Chalk, said 'this important change will mean more victims can secure vital third party funding to level the playing field and support their fight for justice.' Additionally, the government is considering its options for a wider review of the sector and third-party litigation.

The new Appendix Long Residence has come into force and the Home Office has updated its caseworker guidance to reflect the changes. Ten year long residence applications will now have to meet Appendix Continuous Residence and the new guidance helps explain the changes to assessing lawful and continuous residence.

HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has introduced a new ‘manage hearings’ event to streamline the listing of hearings in contested financial remedy cases. All hearings will now appear in a single ‘hearings’ tab, replacing the previous system where listings were split across multiple event types and tabs. The change is designed to make it easier for users to locate upcoming and past hearings in one place.

The LexisNexis Restructuring & Insolvency practical guidance team has published a new subtopic: Part 26A restructuring plans and leases. The documents in this subtopic explain the restructuring plan framework as it applies to leasehold liabilities and highlight the practical issues for landlords affected by a proposed plan.

Instructions for completion Submit the completed form to [state who] and retain a copy for the matter file. Where you are opening a new matter for a new client, it will also be necessary to complete the new client form. 1 Client and instructions Client name [Insert client name] Client number [Insert client reference number] Matter number [Insert matter reference number if your system permits numbers to be allocated before the matter is accepted] Fee earner or team [Insert] Source of matter ☐ New instructions from existing/former client☐ Recommendation from existing/former client☐ Referral from another solicitor or professional: [state who]☐ Referral from an introducer: [state who]☐ Direct approach from prospective client☐ Other: [describe] Does the client have any particular attributes, needs or circumstances that should be taken into consideration in relation to this matter?For more guidance, see [client care manual] ☐ Yes☐ NoIf yes, provide details: [insert details] Is someone other than the client (eg an agent/intermediary) giving instructions on this matter? ☐ No☐ Yes—if you are not also completing a CDD matter risk assessment form please provide details below: —who is providing the instructions: [state];—their relationship to the client: [state];—what

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has announced a new package of measures which seeks to support small businesses by tackling the problems caused by late payments.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has announced that new laws will be introduced to ban unavoidable hidden fees, fake reviews and shop labelling to ensure businesses are upfront with customers and to tackle unfair trading practices. The unavoidable hidden fees cost consumers £2.2bn annually. The new laws will also introduce mandatory fees that must be included in the headline price or at the start of the shopping process, which will include booking fees for train tickets and cinemas and make businesses provide clearer labelling for prices on supermarket shelves. These measures will be legislated under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Bill (DMCC Bill) as it progresses through Parliament.

TMT analysis: Mike Conradi, partner, Christian Keogh, associate, and Jacky Lai, trainee solicitor, of DLA Piper UK LLP consider Ofcom’s proposed roaming rules and what the implications of these might be.

Significant changes to CPR 25 (interim remedies and security for costs) will come into force on 6 April 2025, with associated consequential changes to other parts of the CPR. The supplementary CPR PD 25A and CPR 25B will also be revoked, with key provisions incorporated into the restructured CPR 25. Three revised model orders will also be introduced and these have now been published: Model Search and Imaging Order; Model Order for Propriety and Freezing Injunctions; Model Order for a Freezing Injunction.

Need for new money The starting point for many companies facing financial difficulty is to look to obtain additional cash to fund the business through a downturn in results and avoid a more formal restructuring or formal insolvency process. Such a situation may arise where it is felt that the business is fundamentally viable but temporarily suffering from poor trading conditions. Alternatively, the funding request may be a short-term solution to buy the company and its stakeholders time to assess the viability of the business and the merits of a restructuring. This Practice Note examines the forms this additional funding can take and the legal considerations that arise. Ways to fund New money would normally take the form of either: • an equity injection—new or existing shareholders purchasing shares in the company, or • a new debt obligation—new or existing lenders lending further sums to the company Equity injection Existing shareholders may invest further sums into the company by purchasing newly issued shares in the company (and

The Cabinet Office has announced that Alan Pickering has been appointed as the non-executive chair to the Civil Service Pension Board (CSPB). The appointment takes effect on 10 March 2023 and will last for a period of three years. Previously, Alan Pickering worked at the interface of Pensions and Politics for over 40 years and is a trustee of several pension schemes.