Legislation Published May 2025
UK legislation and statutory instruments introduced in May 2025.
Summary
- 9th May 25 The Tribunal Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2025 amended several tribunal procedure rules to clarify the power to set aside decisions and mandated written notification of such actions, resulting in improved consistency and procedural fairness within the UK tribunal system. View
- 9th May 25 The 2025 regulations amended the 2015 marriage registration and 2005 civil partnership registration regulations to include specific information on detained person's sentences in marriage and civil partnership notices. View
- 9th May 25 The 2025 order amended the 2015 Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order, modifying permitted development rights related to electric vehicle charging and air source heat pumps. View
- 8th May 25 The regulations amended Annexes 2, 2A, 4, 5, 7, and 11 of the Phytosanitary Conditions Regulation, updating pest lists and import requirements for plants and plant products. View
- 8th May 25 The Licensing Act 2003 (Victory in Europe Day Licensing Hours) Order 2025 extended licensing hours for on-premises alcohol sales and specified activities in England and Wales for VE Day 2025. View
- 7th May 25 These regulations amended the Police Regulations 2003, Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020, Police (Performance) Regulations 2020, Police (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2020, and Police Appeals Tribunals Rules 2020, primarily to streamline procedures, improve communication methods, and clarify definitions related to police conduct, performance, and complaints. View
- 7th May 25 The Order appointed two new His Majesty’s Inspectors of Education, Children’s Services and Skills. View
- 6th May 25 The 2025 Order amended the 2021 Order to update descriptions of accredited financial investigators regarding cryptoassets for civil recovery processes. View
- 6th May 25 The Treasury specified fourteen gilt-edged securities as exempt from capital gains tax. View
- 6th May 25 The UK government revoked the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland’s recognition as a recognised professional body for insolvency practitioners. View
- 2nd May 25 The Rivenhall Generating Station Extension (Correction) Order 2025 corrected errors in the 2024 order regarding definitions within Article 2(1) by removing references to the Companies Act 2006. View
- 1st May 25 The Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 (Commencement No. 3) Regulations 2025 established specific duties regarding free speech for higher education entities, commencing certain provisions of the Act on August 1st, 2025. View
The Tribunal Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2025
The Tribunal Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2025, effective May 30th, 2025, amend several sets of tribunal procedure rules.
Key changes include clarifying that tribunals can set aside decisions on their own initiative or applications by parties, and mandating written notification to all parties when a decision is set aside. Additionally, a specific amendment restores community patient rights regarding hearings in health-related cases.
These amendments improve procedural fairness and address issues identified in past legislation and case law.
The Registration of Marriages and Civil Partnerships (Registration Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
These regulations, effective May 27, 2025, amend the Registration of Marriages Regulations 2015 and the Civil Partnership (Registration Provisions) Regulations 2005.
The changes mandate new forms for marriage and civil partnership registrations, incorporating requirements from the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024.
These additions require the responsible authority statement to specify whether a detained individual is serving a whole life sentence and if subject to a whole life order.
The changes apply to England and Wales, and updated Welsh language forms are also included.
The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) (Amendment) Order 2025
This order amends the 2015 Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order for England.
Key changes include relaxing restrictions on installing electric vehicle charging points and air source heat pumps, streamlining planning processes for these developments.
Specific alterations involve removing certain limitations on the size, location, and number of permitted installations.
A transitional provision allows continued development under previous regulations for a limited time.
The Phytosanitary Conditions (Amendment) Regulations 2025
These regulations amend the Phytosanitary Conditions Regulation (EU 2019/2072) to update lists of quarantine and non-quarantine pests in Great Britain.
The amendments add *Pseudomonas avellanae* and *Neodiprion abietis* to the quarantine pest list, remove others from both quarantine and provisional quarantine lists, modify host plant lists, and revise import requirements for several plant species and products.
The changes aim to enhance plant health protection and align with international standards, with some provisions coming into effect on May 30th, 2025.
The Licensing Act 2003 (Victory in Europe Day Licensing Hours) Order 2025
This Order, made under the Licensing Act 2003, extends licensing hours for on-premises alcohol sales and related activities in England and Wales from 11 pm on May 8th, 2025, to 1 am on May 9th, 2025, to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.
The extension applies only to premises already open during the specified times and excludes off-premises alcohol sales and regulated entertainment, unless served concurrently with on-premises alcohol sales.
Parliament approved a draft of this Order.
The Police (Conduct, Performance and Complaints and Misconduct) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 amend existing UK police regulations.
Key changes include updating probationary service rules for special constables, clarifying gross misconduct definitions, modifying notification and document provision procedures to allow for electronic communication, and streamlining performance review processes.
The amendments also incorporate the Police (Vetting) Regulations 2025 and introduce transitional provisions to manage the transition to the new regulations.
The Inspectors of Education, Children’s Services and Skills (No. 2) Order 2025, effective May 7, 2025, appoints Jacqueline Anne Line and Nicola Mary Lownds as His Majesty’s Inspectors of Education, Children’s Services and Skills.
This order is made under the authority of the Education and Inspections Act 2006.
The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (References to Financial Investigators) (England and Wales and Northern Ireland) (Amendment) Order 2025
This Order amends the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (References to Financial Investigators) (England and Wales and Northern Ireland) Order 2021.
The amendments clarify the descriptions of accredited financial investigators for handling cryptoassets and converted cryptoassets within civil recovery procedures under Chapters 3C, 3D, and 3F of Part 5.
The changes take effect on May 27, 2025, and apply to England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
The lack of a full impact assessment suggests minimal anticipated effect on the public or private sectors.
The Taxation of Chargeable Gains (Gilt-edged Securities) Order 2025, issued by the Treasury, specifies fourteen gilt-edged securities as exempt from capital gains tax under the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992.
This action simplifies tax administration and supports efficient government borrowing by providing certainty for investors.
This Order, effective June 1st, 2025, revokes the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland's recognition as a professional body for insolvency practitioners.
The revocation is a direct result of a request from the Institute itself and aligns with Section 391N of the Insolvency Act 1986.
The Secretary of State confirmed the appropriateness of the action after consideration of all relevant factors.
A public notice detailing the effective date and reasons has been published.
The Rivenhall Generating Station Extension (Correction) Order 2025
The Rivenhall Generating Station Extension (Correction) Order 2025 amends the 2024 order granting development consent under the Planning Act 2008.
It addresses errors identified in the original order regarding definitions within Article 2(1), specifically removing erroneous references to the Companies Act 2006 concerning "the 2006 Act," "holding company," and "subsidiary." The Secretary of State made the correction following a formal written request, notifying relevant local planning authorities.
The Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 (Commencement No. 3) Regulations 2025
These regulations, enacted under the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023, bring several key provisions into force in England and Wales (and partially Scotland) on August 1st, 2025.
The regulations detail the duties of registered higher education providers, constituent institutions, and students' unions concerning free speech, along with related amendments to the Higher Education and Research Act 2017 and other legislation.
These actions aim to fully establish legal frameworks for protecting freedom of speech on higher education campuses.