Law360, London: The government ran a slow and 'troubling' process for approving the basic living expenses of sanctioned individuals that forced an oligarch's wife to choose between breaking the law and feeding her children, but the system was nevertheless lawful, an appeals court has said.

HM Treasury and the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) has amended General Licence INT/2022/2300292 to permit all forms of utility payment, including cash. Additionally General Licence INT/2022/2009156 has been amended to allow designated persons to make insurance premium finance payments to UK intermediaries rather than insurers or brokers.

The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) has amended General Licence INT/2022/1839676 to include JSC Siberia Airlines. It has also been extended and will now expire on 22 May 2028.

The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) has amended General Licence INT/2023/3749168 regarding humanitarian activity in Israel, Palestine and Lebanon. The amendments expand the definitions of ‘Relevant Person’ and ‘UK Funded Person,’ revise terminology to refer to ‘Palestine’ in place of ‘the Occupied Palestinian Territories,’ update reporting deadlines to 15 December 2026 and 15 December 2027. The licence, effective from 14 November 2023, has been extended to expire at 23:59 on 14 November 2027.

The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) and HM Treasury (HMT) have extended General Licence INT/2022/1834876, regarding Russia Designated Persons–Charities and Interim Managers and trustees. The licence, effective from 30 May 2022 has been extended to expire at 23:59 on 30 May 2028.

The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) recently issued new guidance for insolvency practitioners (and letting agents), including new reporting requirements that will take effect on 14 May 2025. To support industry, OFSI will be hosting an informative Q&A session on 27 February 2025 at 1pm. The session aims to provide an overview of the new guidance and forthcoming reporting requirements.

CASE HUB ARCHIVED–this archived case hub reflects the position at the date of the judgment of 7 April 2014; it is no longer maintained. See further, timeline, commentary and related cases. Case facts Outline Appeal by OFT against the CAT’s ruling to allow Somerfield and Gallaher to lodge an appeal out of time against the OFT’s tobacco cartel decision. The Court of Appeal issued its judgment, allowing the OFT’s appeal, on 07/04/2014. Parties • Office of Fair Trading (OFT) • Somerfield Stores Limited and it's now parent company the Co-operative Group Food Limited (Somerfield was acquired by the Co-op during the course of the OFT's cartel investigation). • Gallaher Group Limited and its subsidiary Gallaher Limited. Background The OFT issued its infringement decision in the Tobacco cartel on 15 April 2010. Somerfield and Gallaher had settled with the OFT, admitting liability in return for a lower fine (the settlement was agreed in July 2008). The other defendants did not settle. Following the OFT's cartel decision, a number of defendants (namely Imperial Tobacco, Asda, The Co-operative Group, Morrisons,

The Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA) has published a casework note and case summaries of complaints from postgraduate students. The OIA has noted that complaints from taught postgraduates are similar to those of undergraduate students, whereas for research students, complaints focus mainly around supervision and the supervisory relationship.

The Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (OIA) and SUMS Consulting have published a report on the experiences of students affected by higher education provider or course closures. Drawing on interviews and focus groups, the report finds that closures can have effects extending beyond academic continuity, including uncertainty, disruption to learning, financial hardship, wellbeing impacts and reduced confidence in qualifications and future prospects. It identifies particular risks for disabled and international students, those from underrepresented backgrounds and students with caring responsibilities, and recommends earlier and clearer communication, sustained practical and pastoral support, and better coordinated arrangements for students transferring to another provider. The report also recommends that government and regulators consider clearer insolvency arrangements, financial protection and independent advice for students affected by closure.

The Official Injury Claim (OIC) has announced that the Whiplash Injury (Amendment) Regulations 2025 has received parliamentary approval, following the review by Lord Chancellor, Rt Hon Shabana Mahmood, MP. The regulations, which implement a 15% increase in the whiplash compensation tariff, were approved by the House of Commons on 2 April 2025 and subsequently by the House of Lords in May 2025. The new tariff structure will apply to all claims made from 31 May 2025, while claims made between 31 May 2021 and 30 May 2025 will continue under the previous tariff regime.

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Arbitration Centre (OIC-AC) has announced a half-day training session on third-party funding in international arbitration, scheduled for 16 January 2025. The event will feature three expert-led sessions exploring the essentials and impacts of third-party funding, the funder's perspective and the compatibility of third-party funding within the Islamic framework. This training aims to address the intersection of international arbitration, Islamic finance and third-party funding, offering valuable insights for legal professionals, arbitrators and Islamic finance practitioners. The announcement also mentions new Mediation Rules for 2024, indicating ongoing developments in the OIC-AC's alternative dispute resolution offerings.

The Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) has announced that a man, Winston Leachman, has been found guilty of fraud and providing unqualified immigration advice, contrary to the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, section 91 and the Fraud Act 2006, section 1. He was also sentenced for failing to appear in court, which will run consecutively to the sentence for fraud. Leachman told the victim he would assist her Leave to Remain application given his industry experience, but he submitted the wrong application and the victim lost her job due to her unresolved immigration status. He did not refund her fee. Leachman has been sentenced to 20 months imprisonment for fraud, 20 months imprisonment for providing unqualified advice to run concurrently, ordered to pay £800 to the victim, £5,000 for prosecution costs and a victim surcharge of £140. He will also be placed under a three-month curfew.