Portable batteries—regulatory framework Portable batteries are regulated in the UK through: • the Batteries and Accumulators (Placing on the Market) Regulations 2008, SI 2008/2164, which covers restrictions on the use of certain substances in batteries and labelling requirements—see also Practice Note: Battery content restrictions and labelling requirements • the Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations 2009, SI 2009/890 (WBAR 2009), which provides a system for the separate collection, treatment and recycling of waste batteries to enable the UK to meet its waste battery collection targets These regulations originally implemented the requirements of the Batteries Directive 2006/66/EC. For more information, see EU Practice Notes: EU Batteries Directive—snapshot [Archived] and EU Sustainable Batteries Regulation—overview of requirements. Scope WBAR 2009 apply to all types of batteries and accumulators, regardless of their shape, volume, weight, material composition or use, except for batteries used: • in connection with essential security interests • in equipment designed to be sent into space WBAR 2009 has some overlaps with the waste electronic and electrical equipment (WEEE), packaging waste and restrictions on the use of hazardous

CD-Roms, DVD's, USB drives, memory sticks

A equity'>private equity firm will invest in several companies, each of which is known as a company'>portfolio company. The spread of investments into the various target companies is referred to as the portfolio.

A company that is backed by a equity'>private equity firm.

Keeping the same number when transferring from one communications provider to another.

Portland has published its annual Commercial Courts Report for 2024, analysing judgments from London Commercial Courts to highlight trends such as the number of cases, litigants, nationalities and international perceptions of London courts. Portland has reported that the number of Russian litigants using the London Commercial Courts has more than halved since 2023, there is visible lack of favour towards the use of artificial intelligence, and that the public generally support lawsuits holding governments and businesses to account over their environmental, social and governance practices.

Portland's 2024 Litigation and Disputes report reveals significant shifts in the UK's perception of class actions and ESG litigation. While public awareness of class actions has markedly increased, this hasn't translated into greater participation. The report notes a rise in public confidence regarding positive outcomes from class actions, despite a prevailing belief that lawyers and funders are the primary beneficiaries. Notably, there's low public awareness about eligibility for high-profile competition claims. The report also highlights that UK business leaders are acutely aware of their climate risk mitigation duties and the potential for shareholder litigation. Legal experts contribute insights on the growing threats of ESG and shareholder litigation to businesses, underscoring the evolving landscape of corporate accountability in the UK.

Portland’s Litigation and Disputes practice published its Commercial Courts Report 2025, analysing 257 judgments handed down by the London Commercial Courts between April 2024 and March 2025. The report examines trends in case numbers, the diversity of litigant nationalities, and the international appeal of the courts, noting that 93 different nationalities were represented and that 62% of litigants were not from the UK. It highlights a significant rebound of Russian litigants, with 60 Russian parties participating—predominantly as defendants—and a record increase in UAE litigants, who now rank among the top non-UK nationalities in the courts alongside those from the United States. Additionally, the report provides an analysis of media coverage and includes exclusive polling on public perceptions of the use of artificial intelligence in the legal system. These findings and expert commentaries offer insights into the evolving landscape of commercial litigation in London, reinforcing the court’s growing international stature.

The Portman Group has published an updated report by children's marketing agency Kids Industries, commissioned alongside the Independent Complaints Panel (ICP), to support the application of Code rule 3.2(h), which prohibits alcohol products from having particular appeal to persons under 18. The report updates a 2023 edition and covers four key areas. On child development, the report identifies three broad stages: (1) under-sevens focused on family; (2) seven-to-twelves becoming peer-influenced and (3) teenagers seeking autonomy, social status and cultural relevance. On marketing trends, the report highlights children's early digital access and the growing influence of social media influencers and gaming. On packaging appeal, the report indicates that bright colours, cartoon characters and collectibles attract younger children, while older children and teenagers respond to cultural references, humour and aspirational cues. The report provides evaluation indicators to assist the ICP, including colour, characters, logos, collectability, flavour and cultural relevance.

Overview A harbour authority is an independent self-governing body that is responsible for safely managing and efficiently running a harbour. While there is a significant amount of general legislation that applies to ports and harbours, the specific powers, duties and responsibilities of a harbour authority are provided in most cases by a number of local Acts and Orders, some of which may be hundreds of years old and still in effect (in whole or in part). The powers available to harbour authorities under local legislation include the power to make: • byelaws • special and general directions • pilotage directions (for Competent Harbour Authorities) In addition, a harbour authority may have powers under local legislation to: • levy ship, passenger and goods dues • appoint harbour, dock and pier masters • exercise various functions in relation to the safety of navigation (such as the laying down of buoys, the erection of lighthouses and the exhibition of lights, beacons and sea-marks) • nominate persons to act as special constables (a small number of

Portsmouth City Council has approved the commencement of judicial review proceedings against the government’s local government reorganisation (LGR) plans for Hampshire, Portsmouth, Southampton and the Isle of Wight. The Cabinet decided on 23 June 2026 to formally trigger the legal challenge, authorise the City Solicitor to begin proceedings within the statutory deadline and fund the litigation from the Council’s corporate contingency budget.

1. What is the applicable legislation? The main applicable legislation governing foreign investments into Portugal includes: • Regulation (EU) 2019/452 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 March 2019 establishing a framework for the screening of foreign direct investments into the Union (EU FDI Regulation 2019), as amended by Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/2126 of 29 September 2021 • Regulation (EU) 2022/2560 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 December 2022, on foreign subsidies distorting the internal market • Legal Framework for National Strategic Assets, approved by Decree-Law No. 138/2014, of 15 September 2014 (Decree-Law 138/2014), and • Portuguese Companies Code, approved by Decree-Law No. 262/86 of 2 September 1986, as amended In addition, there are several bilateral investment treaties (BITs) which might apply, depending on the jurisdiction of the relevant investor, and which Portugal has entered into for the mutual protection of investments. Portugal is currently a party to BITs with the following 49 countries: Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Bolivia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Egypt, Gabonese