The Cabinet Office has updated Procurement Policy Note 009: Tackling modern slavery in government supply chains (PPN 009). PPN 009 sets out the requirements for UK government departments and in-scope organisations to take action to ensure modern slavery risks are identified and managed in government supply chains. The list of in-scope organisations in paragraph 2 of PPN 009 has been updated to include NHS bodies, when awarding public contracts (as defined in section 3 of the Procurement Act 2023 (PA 2023)), except for special regime contracts (as defined in PA 2023, s 10(6)).

On 21 May 2024, Mr Justice Peel, judge in charge of standard orders announced, with the authority of the President of the Family Division, that the standard orders have been updated to reflect developments in law and practice.

HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) will implement changes to the Damages Claim Portal (DCP) on 27 May 2026 to enable legal representatives to claim non-monetary remedies alongside damages under CPR PD 51ZB. The changes introduce new claim type options for housing disrepair claims and damages claims involving another remedy, including Payment Protection Insurance and motor finance cases. Under the revised CPR PD 51ZB, legal representatives will be able to seek remedies such as declarations, injunctions or rescission through the DCP, provide supporting narrative details, and confirm whether Human Rights Act issues arise. The update also introduces separate fees for additional remedies, although these will appear as a combined payment within the service request process.

HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) FPL service team has confirmed that from 18 November 2025, where an application is submitted during existing proceedings, if the judge is satisfied with the application, the draft order and the other information uploaded, they will be able to approve it without needing to make manual amendments. A coversheet will be added to the order with the judge’s name and the date of approval, allowing it to be issued promptly and more efficiently. This approach mirrors the process already in place for financial remedy consent order proceedings. Guidance on making an additional or placement application is available on GOV.UK. To support this change, the draft order uploaded should be formatted so it can be issued directly to parties. All references in the draft order to ‘DRAFT’ and watermarks should be removed.

MLex: An amended EU proposal for an AI Liability Directive has been shared with EU governments and lawmakers tasked with scrutinising it. The European Commission's new version primarily aligns the proposal with the final text of the AI Act, the landmark law passed earlier this year that introduces product safety rules for AI. But new wording has also been introduced that might significantly expand the liability of those who make a risky AI application operational.

The updated version of the Attorney General’s Guidelines on Disclosure, which were published on 29 February 2024, have come into effect.

Ireland—Banking & Financial Services analysis: This article, written by Ian Dillon, partner (Asset Management and Investment Funds), Dara Harrington, partner (Asset Management and Investment Funds) and Kevin Murphy, partner (Asset Management and Investment Funds) of Arthur Cox LLP, examines the key changes introduced by the Central Bank of Ireland's updated alternative investment fund (AIF) Rulebook. It outlines the new liquidity management tools framework, reforms to loan origination, fund financing and intermediary investment vehicles, changes affecting side pockets, capital commitments, preferential treatment arrangements, depositaries and regulatory reporting, and considers the practical steps fund managers and boards should take to implement the revised requirements.

Ireland—Employment analysis: This article, written by Kevin Langford, Partner (Employment), of Arthur Cox LLP, notes that for the first time in twenty years, the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) has updated the Code of Practice on Access to Part-Time Working (the Code). The Code has the stated aim of expanding flexible working options and increasing labour-market participation, particularly amongst parents, carers, older employees and students.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has published a guideline on evaluating drug interactions in the gastrointestinal tract which is open to public consultation until 31 December 2026. EMA noted that certain drug-drug interactions may cause adverse events or reduce or negate the efficacy of the drugs. With an aging population that is more prone to relying on multiple drugs, such issues are more likely to occur. A key focus is the affect of food intake on how much drug is absorbed and how quickly. The EMA said such issues should be investigated as early as possible in the drug development process to enable researchers to estimate the optimal drug dosage and to ensure patients are advised on the right foods in Phase 3 clinical trials: 'In general, the bioavailability of the active substance of a new medicinal product should be compared under the most extreme situations i.e., in fasted state and with a high-fat meal.'

HMRC has updated its bi-monthly magazine for employers and agents that gives up-to-date information on payroll topics.

From 11 October 2021, Form FL401 (to apply for a non-molestation or occupation order under the Family Law Act 1996) has been updated.

HMRC has updated its guidance on Let property campaign: your guide to making a disclosure.