Civil Liberties Legislation
Laws and regulations protecting individual rights, freedoms, and civil liberties, including privacy rights, freedom of expression, and anti-discrimination measures.
The Ecclesiastical Judges, Legal Officers and Others (Fees) Order 2026
This Order brings into force various provisions of the Immigration Act 2014 on 28 July 2014 and 20 October 2014, primarily affecting non-UK citizens subject to immigration control.
It activates new powers for the Secretary of State to remove persons without leave to remain and significantly restricts the types of immigration decisions that can be appealed to a tribunal.
The Order also introduces transitional arrangements to determine which cases remain under the previous legal framework and which are subject to the new rules based on the date of the immigration decision.
Correction to Higher Education Freedom of Speech Provisions
This statutory instrument issues a formal correction to the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 (Commencement No. 4) Regulations 2026.
It modifies the specific list of subparagraphs under paragraph 13 that are triggered by the commencement order, ensuring the legal text accurately reflects the intended implementation of the Act.
The regulation applies to the regulatory framework governing higher education providers and students' unions in England regarding their free speech duties.
The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (Legal Aid: Anti-social Behaviour and Prevention and Investigation Measures) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2026
This Order expands the scope of civil legal aid in England and Wales to include proceedings related to respect orders, youth injunctions, and housing injunctions.
It directs that 'help at court' and 'investigative representation' are unavailable for proceedings involving Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures or foreign power threat activity.
Additionally, the Order mandates that only 'legal help'—and not broader legal services—is exempt from financial means testing for individuals subject to national security-related investigation notices.
The National Security Act 2023 (Designated Bodies) Regulations 2026
These Regulations designate three specific organizations as "designated bodies" under Part 1 of the National Security Act 2023, subjecting them to the legal framework regarding foreign power threat activity.
The order applies to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right (IMCR), and the Russian GRU Volunteer Corps.
By listing these entities in a new Schedule 6A of the Act, the Secretary of State triggers specific national security offences and investigative powers related to these groups throughout the United Kingdom.
The Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Offensive Weapons) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2026
This Order modifies the technical specifications used to define a prohibited 'ninja sword' under the Criminal Justice Act 1988.
It directs that the secondary straight cutting edge of such a weapon must now be no more than 105% of the blade's width immediately after the handle, while removing the phrase 'or shorter' from the previous definition.
The legislation applies to law enforcement agencies and any persons in England and Wales involved in the possession, sale, or manufacture of offensive weapons.
The Equality Act 2010 (Code of Practice on Services, Public Functions and Associations) (Revocation) Order 2026
This Order revokes the Equality Act 2010 Code of Practice on Services, Public Functions and Associations that has been in effect since 6 April 2011.
It acts on a formal request from the Commission for Equality and Human Rights to the Secretary of State, clearing the legal path for an updated 2026 Code of Practice to take effect.
The revocation applies across England, Wales, and Scotland, affecting how service providers, public bodies, and associations interpret their duties under the Equality Act 2010.
The Equality Act 2010 (Code of Practice on Services, Public Functions and Associations) (Commencement) Order 2026
This Order brings into force a revised Code of Practice issued by the Commission for Equality and Human Rights regarding services, public functions, and associations under the Equality Act 2010.
It applies to any person or organization providing services to the public, exercising public functions, or managing associations in England, Wales, and Scotland.
The Order ensures the 2026 Code of Practice takes effect immediately after the revocation of the previous 2011 version, providing a statutory basis for the new guidance to be used in legal proceedings.
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) (Notification Requirements) Regulations 2026
These regulations define the procedural and informational requirements for persons responsible for "qualifying premises" and "qualifying events" to notify the Security Industry Authority.
They establish specific timeframes for initial registration and the updating of inaccurate information, ranging from 14 to 28 days depending on the nature of the entity.
The regulations apply to owners and operators of venues and events across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland that meet the criteria of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, mandating the submission of detailed operational, contact, and licensing data via a specified online portal.