United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) has updated its guidance on Security Appraisal Form (SAF) to require its submission through the National Security Vetting Solution (NSVS) SAF Portal. With effect from 1 September 2023, UKSV is no longer accepting SAF submissions by email. Under the new route, once the relevant sections are completed and submitted, clearance will automatically update with the relevant information.

United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) has updated its change of personal circumstances guidance to include a section on change of gender. The guidance states that whilst there is no requirement to update UKSV of a change in gender, the UKSV must be updated if you have legally changed your name. If you have changed your gender but you haven’t changed your name legally, changed your pronouns, haven't yet received legal documents or intend on keeping your name as it is legally but would like to add an alias, the portal can be used to update UKSV of this; however, this is a personal choice, and those that choose not to will not be penalised for not doing this.

United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) has updated its existing clearance holder's guidance to include the new Level 1B clearance, and has also added a new video offering advice for vetting sponsors and applicants.

The UK Security Vetting (UKSV) has updated the guidance notes for applicants on the National Security Vetting Solution (NSVS). The guidance has been revised in collaboration with experts and stakeholders to reflect the latest vetting policies, procedures, and terminology. The UKSV has stated that it is working to eliminate outdated, redundant, and inaccessible documents.

The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has, in its May 2025 newsletter to stakeholders, given two updates on visa application centre (VAC) services around the world. Firstly, it confirmed that premium VACs have been reopened in Port Harcourt and Enugu in Nigeria, further to customer demand after they had been closed in November 2024. Secondly, a super priority visa service has been opened for the first time in Hong Kong.

UK Visas and Immigration and the Home Office have updated the licensing authority guide to right to work checks on 21 June 2024. Changes have been made to right to work checks involving European Economic Area (EEA) citizens and their non-EEA family members with pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. UKVI has also provided clarification on checks involving holders of short-dated Biometric Residence Permits and the Home Office transition to online evidence of immigration status (also known as eVisa). Lastly, Application Registration Card (ARC) holders have been granted permission to work in jobs on the Shortage Occupation List or Immigration Salary List.

The Cabinet Office has published its second implementation report on the UK–EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), covering developments from April 2023 to December 2024, with additional updates from early 2025. The report outlines activity across institutional, trade, regulatory and sectoral areas, including outcomes from the UK–EU Summit held on 19 May 2025. The Summit marked a shift in UK–EU relations, with both parties agreeing a strategic partnership to support cooperation on trade, mobility, energy and data. The government confirmed its intention to continue implementing the TCA and stated that future reports will be published every two years. Work is underway to implement the Common Understanding agreed at the Summit, with further meetings of the Partnership Council and specialised committees expected in autumn 2025.

The government has published its response to the House of Commons Business and Trade Committee’s Sixth Special Report of Session 2024–25, ‘How to strengthen UK–EU relations: Policy Priorities for the Summit’. The response outlines several outcomes from the May 2025 UK-EU Summit, including the establishment of a new UK-EU Security and Defence Partnership aimed at enhancing defence industrial cooperation and addressing challenges such as hybrid threats and vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure. It further details an agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary measures, a 12-year fisheries arrangement, and enhanced law enforcement cooperation. Key measures include coordinated efforts to counter non-market economies and economic crime, the reduction of border red tape, and the promotion of mutual recognition of professional qualifications.

The British High Commission in New Delhi and the British Deputy High Commission in Mumbai have announced that the UK–India Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, signed on 24 July 2025, entered into force on 15 July 2026. Under the agreement, 99% of Indian goods entering the UK and 90% of UK goods entering India will be duty-free or subject to reduced tariffs. The agreement covers sectors including automotive, manufacturing, consumer goods, the creative industries and medical technology. It is projected to increase annual bilateral trade by £25.5 billion, Indian GDP by £5.1 billion and UK GDP by £4.8 billion.

TMT analysis: Kate Deniston, Professional Support Lawyer at Bird & Bird LLP, considers the implications of the Private Member’s Bill on AI in the public sector introduced to the House of Lords on 9 September 2024.

Law360: A London court has ordered a tribunal to reconsider an arbitral award issued in a US$2bn case over a funding deal for Nigerian oil fields, ruling that a-replaced arbitrator had wrongly failed to reveal the total extent of her relationship with Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP.

MLex: Artificial intelligence (AI) developers and copyright holders have failed to agree on an effective voluntary code of conduct seeking to resolve copyright issues, therefore a ministerial intervention will be required, the UK government said today. Publishing its response to a public consultation on its AI white paper, the government said ‘unfortunately, it is now clear that the working group will not be able to agree’ on a way forward in a format set out by the Intellectual Property Office (IPO).