Blockchain, which is a type of distributed ledger technology, underpins bitcoin, other virtual currencies and the operation of decentralised Metaverse platforms. It has generated significant attention for its potential to reduce error, fraud and cost in a range of scenarios including banking, supply chain management, copyright royalty management and voting to name but a few.
For more information about blockchain and the key legal and regulatory issues associated with it, see Practice Note: Blockchain—key legal and regulatory issues.
A blockchain is a shared database containing information recorded in blocks. Each block is recorded on a ledger and linked to other blocks through the use of encryption. This creates a chain which can be verified to ensure that all of the recorded transactions are valid and have not been entered fraudulently.
The core characteristic of blockchain is that the ledger is not held by a single person. Instead, it is decentralised and identical copies of the ledger are distributed to a number of different servers (referred to as nodes) and updated simultaneously. When a new block is entered, all of the nodes communicate with each other and use...
To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.
**Trials are provided to all LexisNexis content, excluding Practice Compliance, Practice Management and Risk and Compliance, subscription packages are tailored to your specific needs. To discuss trialling these LexisNexis services please email customer service via our online form. Free trials are only available to individuals based in the UK, Ireland and selected UK overseas territories and Caribbean countries. We may terminate this trial at any time or decide not to give a trial, for any reason. Trial includes one question to LexisAsk during the length of the trial.
Law360, London: Shein can revive its case that Temu infringed its copyright for several product images, after a judge ruled on 21 September 2026, the...
MLex: The European Commission’s AI Office is analysing whether there are any signs that AI companions allow illegal child sexual abuse material or...
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has published advice on advertising to new and expectant parents, highlighting that pregnancy and early...
Prime Minister Andy Burnham told the UN General Assembly on 22 September 2026 that the UK will work towards a single set of global principles and...
If a beneficiary signs a deed of disclaimer of their share of an estate and the estate pays their legal fees, will that count as a PET against their estate?A disclaimer is the refusal of a gift prior to acceptance. The refusal of the gift must take place before the beneficiary accepts any benefit
Strike out—making an application to strike out a statement of caseA strike out order can be made either following an application by the parties or on the court's own initiative. This Practice Note deals with the scenario of the order being made following a party's application.Making an application
Can shares in a limited company that have not been paid-up at all be cancelled?A limited company having a share capital may not alter that share capital, except in the ways listed in section 617 of the Companies Act 2006 (CA 2006). Shares in a company cannot simply be cancelled without following an
Glossary—Latin legal termsDespite attempts in recent years to simplify the language used in legal cases, there are still a number of Latin phrases commonly used in personal injury claims. The following Latin phrases are listed in alphabetical order:Latin termDefinitionMeaningActa iure imperiiLegal
0330 161 1234