The Online Procedure Rule Committee (OPRC) has published the first rules under the powers conferred by Chapter 2 of Part 2 of the Judicial Review and Courts Act 2022, marking a significant step in the government’s programme to digitise court and tribunal processes. The Online Procedure (Rules and Practice Directions) Rules 2026, SI 2026/696 will come into force on 7 September 2026.

The Online Procedure Rule Committee (OPRC) has launched a webpage detailing the committee’s responsibilities, membership and meeting minutes. The OPRC is responsible for creating rules which govern the practice and procedure of online court proceedings and is chaired by Sir Geoffrey Vos, Master of the Rolls. Three sets of minutes have been published from June 2023, July 2023 and October 2023.

This Practice Note explains the framework established by the Online Procedure (Rules and Practice Directions) Rules 2026, SI 2026/696 (OP Rules 2026), which contain the Online Procedure Rules 2026 (OPR). The OPR govern certain online proceedings in England and Wales. In this Practice Note, a reference to a rule in the OPR is written as, for example, OPR 1. The OPR are available on GOV.UK—see here. To see all materials published under the OPR framework (including rules, practice directions and related publications), click here. Commencement and application The OP Rules 2026, including the OPR, came into force on 7 September 2026. The OPR govern specific types of online proceedings as set out in the OP Rules 2026, SI 2026/696, r 2(3). With effect from 7 September 2026, the OPR apply to certain types of possession proceedings (OP Rules 2026, SI 2026/696, r 2(3))—for more information, see Practice Note: Online Procedure Rules for possession proceedings—the Possession Claims service. The OPR do not govern all civil proceedings conducted online. Separate County Court pilot schemes operate under the CPR for issuing

This Practice Note explains the online procedure for possession claims known as the ‘Possession Claims Service’ governed by the Online Procedure Rules 2026 and the Practice Direction: Online Procedure Rules for Possession Proceedings. It focuses on the claims which are within its scope, claims which are excluded from scope, the information required to start an online possession claim and the initial steps in the claim. What is the purpose and status of the Online Possession Practice Direction? The Online Possession Practice Direction sets out the procedure for online County Court possession proceedings and supplements the OPR. It must be read in conjunction with the OPR. If there is any inconsistency between the two, the OPR will take precedence (Online Possession Practice Direction, para 1). The OPR are set out in the schedule to the Online Procedure (Rules and Practice Directions) Rules, SI 2026/696 and are in force from 7 September 2026. The Online Possession Practice Direction applies to covered claims started on or after 15 September 2026 (Online Possession Practice

MLex: Implementation of the Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA 2023) is going to plan, a government minister stated on 25 June 2025, while reiterating that online platforms could see further measures to plug any gaps that are found, notably over the protection of children. Feryal Clark responded to MPs' concerns that the government was prioritising legal defensibility over keeping children safe online. Platforms are bracing for additional child-protection duties under OSA 2023 to kick in on 25 July 2025.

This Practice Note tracks the progress of Ofcom’s enforcement activities under the Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA 2023). OSA 2023 contains the UK’s regulatory framework for the regulation of internet content. For guidance on which services and activities are in scope, and the duties of care which apply in relation to them, see Practice Notes: • The Online Safety Act 2023 • The Online Safety Act 2023—a quick guide Enforcement of OSA 2023 Ofcom is designated as regulator under OSA 2023. Its core duty is: ‘…the adequate protection of citizens from harm presented by content on regulated services, through the appropriate use by providers of such services of systems and processes designed to reduce the risk of such harm.’ As such, Ofcom has a number of enforcement powers available to it that range in severity but in general terms, apply in stages throughout Ofcom’s enforcement process. Ofcom has announced several enforcement programmes, the progress of each of which is tracked throughout this Practice Note. The enforcement programmes are thematic and based upon each of

This Practice Note tracks key developments in the progress of the Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA 2023), which received Royal Assent on 26 October 2023 and came partly into force on that date (see OSA 2023, s 240). The key obligations and duties under OSA 2023 will not apply in full until Ofcom has published final versions of all of its codes of practice and associated guidance. There is a staggered timetable for these publications, with the first of the relevant duties in force from the end of 2024 onwards. This Practice Note tracks these developments. This Practice Note includes consultations, related guidance and announcements. However, it does not track Ofcom’s enforcement activities, as these are covered separately. See Practice Note: Online Safety Act 2023—enforcement tracker. For more information generally about OSA 2023, see: • Practice Note: The Online Safety Act 2023 • Complying with the Online Safety Act 2023—checklist Tracking developments Date Development Comment 9 September 2026 Government announces measures to stop children taking, sharing or viewing nude images The government has committed to introducing

Order Form The terms and conditions which apply to and govern this Order are the Publisher’s Online Advertising Terms and Conditions (Terms). The Terms, together with this Order, constitute the entire agreement between the Publisher and the Buyer in respect of any and all Advertising on Publisher Properties (Agreement). By placing an Order, the Buyer accepts and agrees to be bound by the Agreement. Any other terms or conditions sought to be imposed by the Buyer (including, without limitation, terms in any insertion or purchase order, email or acknowledgement) are expressly excluded and shall not be binding on the Publisher. Defined terms in this Order shall have the meaning given in the Terms and the rules of interpretation set out in the Terms shall apply to this Order unless otherwise agreed. References to this Order include its schedules, annexes and appendices (if any). Parties Advertiser [Insert name of advertiser] [of [insert address] OR a company incorporated in [England and Wales] under number [insert registered number] whose registered

This Checklist is to be used when reviewing online advertising terms and conditions where a publisher (being the owner of a website, app or other digital platform) sells digital space on its platforms to advertisers (brands or advertising/media buying agencies acting on behalf of such brands) directly (Programmatic Direct). This Checklist can, where appropriate, form the basis of simple non-binding heads of terms. For guidance on how to do this, see Precedent: Heads of terms—commercial contracts. For an example of publisher’s standard terms, see Precedent: Online advertising terms and conditions. Checklist The third column can be used to record observations or comments as the Checklist is worked through. Checklist Further information Notes (if any) Parties ☐ Confirm each party’s legal status and whether the advertiser will enter into the agreement on its own behalf or through an advertising agency. In some cases an advertiser will enter into the agreement on its own behalf and in some cases it may use an advertising agency who will enter into the agreement

This Practice Note details the provisions of Family Procedure Rules 2010, PD 41B (Proceedings by electronic means: procedure for an application for a consent order for a financial remedy in connection with matrimonial or civil partnership proceedings), which sets out the procedure by which an application for a consent order for a financial remedy in connection with proceedings for a matrimonial or civil partnership order may proceed by electronic means. There is a separate online system for making and progressing contested applications, see Practice Note: Online applications for financial remedies. References in FPR 2010, PD 41B to ‘the online system’ mean the HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) online system known as the online financial remedy consent order service. The online system is part of MyHMCTS, for which an organisation must register. Once an organisation has registered, cases may be managed online via individual user accounts. See also: MyHMCTS: how to complete case administration tasks. For practical guidance on consent orders generally, see Practice Notes: General principles of consent orders and Drafting the terms

This Practice Note provides guidance on contested online applications for financial remedies, including the key principles of FPR 2010, PD 41H, issuing an application, case management, barrister access, intervener access and the types of proceedings that can and cannot be dealt with online. Modifications to aspects of FPR 2010 that apply to cases dealt with online are also detailed. There is a separate online system for making and progressing applications for a consent order in cases where there have been no contested proceedings, see Practice Note: Online applications for financial consent orders. References to ‘the online system’ mean the HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) online system for financial remedy proceedings to be dealt with online. This online system is part of MyHMCTS. Before an individual can use MyHMCTS, their organisation must be registered and an individual user account created for them. FPR 2010, PD 41H—key principles and application The online system for contested financial remedy applications was brought into effect in pilot form by FPR 2010, PD 36N, which expired on 31 December 2024 and was

This Practice Note considers the legal issues relating to online behavioural advertising (OBA), profiling and automated decision-making. It describes key areas of law affecting behavioural advertising and profiling, including Assimilated Regulation (EU) 2016/679, the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) (plus the rules on solely automated decision-making), Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003 (PECR 2003), SI 2003/2426 and the UK Code of Non-broadcast Advertising and Direct & Promotional Marketing (CAP Code). Both the UK GDPR and PECR 2003 are amended by the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (DUAA 2025), and such amendments are reflected in this Practice Note to the extent applicable. This Practice Note refers to assimilated law. Assimilated law is the name given to retained EU law (REUL) which remains in force after the end of 2023. The re-categorisation of REUL (and associated terms) to assimilated law reflects a change in its status and treatment under UK law, in that it is generally to be interpreted according to ordinary domestic law and principles.  From 1 January 2024, REUL is ‘assimilated’