UK in a Changing Europe (UKICE) has published an analysis by James Bowes on the government’s proposed ‘earned settlement’ reforms. Bowes states that the measures would make it significantly harder for long-term migrants to obtain Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and, unlike previous restrictions, would apply not only to new arrivals but also to migrants already in the UK. He estimates that more than two million people already living in the UK could be affected.

In February 2025, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) announced increases to 171 court and tribunal fees to reflect Consumer Price Index (CPI) changes between March 2023 and March 2024, including increases to the fees applicable for judicial review. Certain fee changes are made to align fees relating to judicial review processes in the civil courts and in the Immigration and Asylum Chamber of the Upper Tribunal. The updated fees apply for applications received by the court/tribunal on or after 8 April 2025.

Arbitration analysis: This case involved an application to set aside determinations made in an award which were in breach of natural justice. However, while the court found that there had been a breach of natural justice, the court declined to set aside the award and remitted the matter to the Tribunal. The judgment therefore provides useful guidance on the circumstances in which an award will be remitted to the Tribunal for further consideration. Written by Colin Liew, arbitrator, Duxton Hill Chambers.

Taxation of an individual's foreign income and capital gains in the UK only if that income and gains are remitted, or brought to, the UK.

This Checklist on remotely accessed mediations summarises the key considerations when deciding whether and, if so, how, to engage in a remotely accessed mediation via video conference (VC). The arrival of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic saw an increase in the use of remotely accessed mediations, ie mediations carried out online by way of VC. VC mediations (also commonly referred to as ‘online mediation’, ‘remote mediation’ and ‘remotely accessed mediation’) are not the only means of conducting a non face-to-face mediation, you can also mediate by telephone. That said, the ease and increased user functionality of the various platforms offering VC have lent themselves well to the process for remote access mediation. For information on the parties’ obligations to consider alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and the courts’ powers with respect to ordering or encouraging the parties to consider ADR, both before and during any litigation, see Practice Notes: Court powers to order or encourage ADR in civil proceedings and Court powers to order or encourage ADR in civil proceedings—key and illustrative decisions. For information on the potential costs

This Practice Note gives guidance on the use of remote and hybrid hearings, via video-conference and telephone, in civil proceedings. It considers what a remote or hybrid hearing is, when a hearing may be conducted remotely, the use of telephone hearings, and the electronic platforms that are available for remote hearings. It also provides guidance on the ability of non-parties to access hearings remotely. Depending on the court in which your matter is proceeding, you may also need to be mindful of additional provisions—see further: Court specific guidance. What is a remote hearing? A remote hearing can take place either by video or telephone. Some hearings may take place with some participants taking part remotely and others attending in court in person, often called a hybrid hearing. Hybrid hearings can provide flexibility for legal teams, clients and witnesses, where some are willing and able to attend court, and others are not. Ameyaw v McGoldrick is an example of the court ordering a hybrid hearing (see para [17]). The court in Re Blackfriars

This Practice Note provides guidance on remote and hybrid hearings, via video-conference and telephone, in the Family Court. It considers what a remote or hybrid hearing is, when a hearing may be conducted remotely and the electronic platforms that are available for remote hearings. The remote participation guidance for the Civil and Family courts and tribunal jurisdictions is also set out, published in June 2026, following the cross-jurisdictional Remote Participation Review. Relevant provisions of the Family Procedure Rules 2010 (FPR 2010), SI 2010/2955 are also set out, together with judicial guidance and consultations on remote and hybrid hearings. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic accelerated the planned move to greater use of technology, remote hearings and online document management in the Family Court. Audio and video technology has long played a part in the Family Court but reliance on this increased as a response to the pandemic. While some individual cases may lend themselves to remote hearings, in others remote hearings may not be appropriate. Guidance as to remote hearings in the Family Court developed

This Practice Note looks at the use of virtual and electronic signatures in property transactions and considers some of the practical issues which arise when using virtual or electronic signatures for signing property contracts and executing property deeds. For more detailed content and analysis on electronic signatures and virtual signings, see Practice Notes: Virtual execution of documents and Electronic signatures. For general content on executing property contracts and deeds, see Practice Notes: Contracts for the sale of land—formation, signature and variation and Property deeds—use and execution of deeds in property transactions. See also Precedent: Guide to executing deeds and documents in property transactions. HM Land Registry and accepted signatures HM Land Registry has its own requirements regarding the use of virtual or electronic signatures for various deeds and documents including: • most registrable property deeds • application forms, consents and certificates • statements of truth • powers of attorney See Virtual/Mercury signatures and HM Land Registry and Electronic signatures and HM Land Registry below. See also HM Land Registry

Remote execution of documents has become increasingly popular. This Checklist of resources sets out some of the considerations for remote execution of documents when parties are not able to meet in person. Key commercial resources We have produced a collection that is a comprehensive, interactive resource to help users identify and work through the concepts and common issues when executing documents, including information relating to remote execution. Each section or phase includes practical guidance, precedent clauses and Q&As relevant to that section. For more information, see: Execution collection. This Checklist considers remote execution from a general commercial perspective only and assumes that the agreements are subject to English law. For general information and guidance relating to execution, see: Execution—overview. For more specific guidance on execution requirements in other Practice Areas please check that Practice Area’s content. The Law Society has also brought together a variety of established guidance on execution of documents by virtual means, execution of documents using electronic signatures, its ‘Tips on how to operate in practice’ in relation to virtual execution and the use of e-signatures and

This Practice Note identifies Q&As on practical issues associated with remote execution, in particular the following scenarios: • Virtual execution • Electronic signatures • Share certificates Virtual execution • If I can’t meet the people I am contracting with to sign a contract, how do I execute a contract by virtual means? • My company needs to enter into a document as a deed but everyone is working from home. Is it possible to execute a deed by virtual means? • Are mixed signings permissible? For example where one party to a deed signs a counterpart in wet ink and another signs a counterpart with an electronic signature; where one counterpart is wet ink signed and the other counterpart is signed by virtual means (a Mercury signature); or where one counterpart has a Mercury signature and the other counterpart has been signed with an electronic signature. • Is there a requirement under law that a deed has to be physically dated (ie printed out and dated with agreement by all parties

ARCHIVED: This Practice Note has been archived and is not maintained. This Practice Note gives guidance on the use of remote and hybrid hearings, via video-conference and telephone, in civil proceedings during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. It considers the court’s approach to remote or hybrid hearings during the coronavirus pandemic and guidance issued by the courts to deal with remote hearings. For information on current guidance in relation to remote and hybrid hearings in civil proceedings, see Practice Note: Remote and hybrid hearings in civil proceedings. Courts approach to remote hearings during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic The position regarding remote hearings has changed significantly since the start of the pandemic but the following cases demonstrate how the courts approached requests for remote hearings during the pandemic. Generally, in all cases, the decision whether to conduct a remote hearing, and the means by which each case may be heard, are a matter for the judge or magistrate who is to conduct the hearing. It is a case management decision over which the first instance court

It has become increasingly common in international arbitration for some aspects of the procedure to be conducted remotely, with some or all participants attending by video or telephone. Prior to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, parties and arbitrators would often agree to conduct some aspects of a case remotely for a variety of reasons, including convenience, cost savings or other efficiencies, or out of necessity (when, for example, a witness was unable to attend a hearing in person). Remote hearings by telephone or video-conference also are used in emergency arbitrator proceedings and in cases proceeding under expedited procedures rules. During the pandemic, many arbitrations proceeded with fully remote hearings, where most or all participants are located physically in different locations. This Practice Note is intended to provide guidance on the conduct of remote hearings in international arbitration. It describes: • remote hearing options • potential benefits of remote hearings, as well as potential concerns • legal issues that may arise in connection with remote hearings, and • practical issues to be addressed in