Law360: The UK competition tribunal did not err when it upheld key findings from the competition watchdog over antitrust breaches in relation to the supply of hydrocortisone tablets, the regulator told UK appeal judges Wednesday. At the Court of Appeal, drugmakers sanctioned over their pricing behaviours are challenging specific court rulings.

UK unregistered designs are governed by the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. Unregistered design right (sometimes also referred to as ‘design right’) arises automatically on creation and applies to original, non-commonplace designs of the shape or configuration of products. It protects only three-dimensional aspects of designs, does not protect surface ornamentation, methods or principles of construction, or features enabling functional fit or aesthetic match. It gives an exclusive, non-renewable right against copying (not a monopoly on the design). The right confers protection for: 15 years from first recording, or ten years from the design being made available for sale or hire, if within five years of the event above, and is subject to a licence of right in the last five years of protection. Following Brexit, the UK is no longer part of the Community designs system which provides an EU-wide right called the unregistered Community design (UCD). (The UCD is broadly the same in scope as the RCD, save that it lasts only three years from first disclosure, and that it is necessary to prove copying in order to establish infringement.) However, provision was made, pursuant to the Designs and International Trade Marks (Amendment etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, SI 2019/638, for the holders of UCDs in existence as at IP completion day to automatically become the holders of comparable UK rights, called ‘continuing unregistered designs’, for the remainder of their term. In addition, provision was made for a new UK right to be created, called the ‘supplementary unregistered design’, which mirrors the scope of a UCD (ie protecting both two- and three-dimensional designs), to fill the gap left by the UK’s exit from the UCD system. In some circumstances, copyright may be available as a means of protecting original design drawings, rights in three-dimensional objects that are considered ‘artistic works’, and surface decoration applied to industrial articles.

Law360, London: The government unveiled on 13 January 2025 an ambitious blueprint to make Britain a world leader in artificial intelligence (AI) to benefit financial services and other sectors, supported by pro-growth regulation.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has reported that the UK has sanctioned four individuals and three entities from Belarus in coordinated action with international partners. This is in response to human rights violations and Belarus' ongoing facilitation of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. The UK has also announced £2.5m of planned funding to support the survival of Belarusian human rights and civil society causes. This marks four years since the 2020 presidential elections which the FCDO claims were ‘deeply flawed’.

Law360: The UK government said on 14 November 2024 that it is launching reforms to drive economic growth and competitiveness in financial services by re-balancing a regulatory regime that is focused more on minimising risk.

The Department for Business and Trade has announced new measures under the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) on 10 July 2025 to simplify trade with 65 developing nations. The reforms include relaxed rules of origin, support for exporters, and expanded services access. The aim is to promote economic growth in partner countries, reduce costs for UK consumers and businesses, and support resilient global supply chains.

Law360: The UK government should consider freeing pension providers to allocate the assets wherever they choose to maximize returns and boost the country's economic growth, an industry association has said.

Law360: Three in four workers with a defined contribution pension are more likely to vote for a political party that reforms workplace pensions, research from a retirement savings company shows.

Law360: The government has said on 8 January 2024 that it is looking to speed up the overturning of outstanding convictions of victims of the Post Office scandal, after a TV dramatization drew wider public attention to a 'tragic miscarriage of justice'.

Law360: The government has pledged to throw money at the fight against tax fraudsters in the UK as investigations by HMRC into high-value cases have hit a new low, raising concerns over whether it has the capacity to tackle the most serious probes.

Law360: The state pension might rise next year in line with earnings growth rather than inflation, experts said on 13 August 2024, after official figures revealed a 4.5% increase in the UK average salary.

Law360: The government proposed on 14 July 2026 requirements for employers to disclose a salary range to job applicants as part of a consultation on pay equality reforms that include a new watchdog and pay audits of employers that have committed pay discrimination.