The name given to the disclosure of electronically stored information as opposed to hard copy paper files

Dispute Resolution analysis: Jake Pennington-Slater says: 'Write me an article about how eDisclosure has developed over recent years with the integration of AI and how its importance can only increase'. From technology assisted review (TAR) to large language models (LLMs), AI is equipping legal teams with the capabilities they need to handle today's complex data landscape.

ePrivacy is a term used to describe the legal framework for the processing of personal data and privacy in the electronic communications sector. ePrivacy is closely related to the broader data protection regime for the processing of personal data and, as a result, can rarely be considered in isolation.

eVisas The Home Office has introduced a digital immigration system to replace the previous physical document-based system. Under this system, most persons are granted a digital record of their immigration permission, an eVisa. eVisas have replaced biometric residence permits (BRPs) and the Home Office intends eVisas to fully replace biometric residence cards, ink stamps and vignettes in passports. eVisas maintain a record of a person’s identity, the route of immigration permission held, and the duration and conditions of their immigration permission. Persons who have an eVisa can use this system to view their immigration status, prove their right to work and rent in the UK and inform the Home Office of changes to their personal details. This guide provides guidance on the practicalities of using an eVisa and how persons can access help if they encounter difficulties with the system. Overview of key Home Office resources eVisas: access and use your online immigration status Set up a UKVI account to access your eVisa Get an eVisa if you have settlement in the UK View your eVisa and get

The Home Office’s ‘Entering the UK guidance’ has been updated further to the 4 December 2024 announcement by the Minister for Migration and Citizenship Seema Malhotra MP, which confirmed that carriers will be permitted to accept Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) or EU Settlement Scheme Biometric Residence Cards (BRCs) expiring on or after 31 December 2024 as valid travel evidence until at least 31 March 2025. In addition to amendments in line with that confirmation, the guidance now states that persons who hold an eVisa should obtain a share code from the View and Prove service before they travel overseas, as this may be needed by the carrier to check their immigration status.

The Home Office has amended the guidance on ‘checking eVisas are correct before travel’ to remove details of the eVisas passenger helpline that had been set up to assist passengers who were having difficulty demonstrating permission to travel to their carrier. The guidance now just mentions that carriers should contact the UK Border Force Carrier Support Hub, where there is a relevant issue. Separately, the Home Office has also uploaded a new support video on how to create, link and access an eVisa.

The Home Office guidance page covering eVisas and travel has been updated to reduce the opening hours of the passenger support line that is available for persons who are having difficulty demonstrating their permission to travel to their carrier. This helpline was previously open 24/7, but will now only be open from Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm UK time. The UK Border Force Carrier Support Hub, which is only accessible to carriers, remains open 24/7.

The Home Office is transitioning towards an immigration system which is fully ‘digital by default’. This has two main strands: • replacing hard copy immigration documents with digital immigration status (an ‘eVisa’), and • developing an electronic universal permission to travel regime, which broadly means that all non-British or Irish persons travelling to the UK require prior permission to travel in electronic format—in most cases, this will take the form of an eVisa or an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) Prior 31 October 2024, all permission to stay was issued in the form of a hard copy Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or Biometric Residence Card (BRC), with the exception of certain types of applicant for whom eVisas were already issued, who made their immigration application using an identity checker app. In relation to entry clearance, this was always issued as a vignette (sticker) in the passport, with persons who would be staying for longer than six months receiving a short-term entry clearance vignette and then collecting a BRP after arrival in the UK. Since 31 October

IP analysis: easyGroup failed in its claims for trade mark infringement, passing off and invalidity against Easyfeetstore, with the IPEC holding that the shared element ‘easy’ was descriptive and lacked sufficient distinctive character to give rise to confusion or establish a protectable family of marks. The court found no likelihood of confusion under section 10(2) of the Trade Marks Act 1994 (TMA 1994), no consumer link capable of supporting a claim under section 10(3), and no basis for invalidating the EASYFEET registration. The judgment emphasises the evidential burden on claimants seeking to enforce marks built around descriptive elements and highlights the importance of proving consumer association, actual confusion, detriment or unfair advantage. Produced in partnership with Alice Martins and Amanda McDowall of Lee & Thompson LLP.

Electronic mail means any text, voice, sound or image message sent over a public electronic communications network, which can be stored until it is collected by the recipient. It specifically includes messages sent by text.

means: a service which is essential for the maintenance of critical societal or economic activities

Ex ante is Latin for ‘beforehand’. When there is uncertainty about the value of a variable before a process has taken place, the estimate of this variable is called ‘ex-ante’. When the process is finished and the variable known, the formerly uncertain variable is called ex post ‘after the fact’.