Civil Liberties Legislation

Laws and regulations protecting individual rights, freedoms, and civil liberties, including privacy rights, freedom of expression, and anti-discrimination measures.

The Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019 and the Terrorism Act 2000 (Port Examination Codes of Practice) Regulations 2025

These regulations implement revised codes of practice for examining officers under the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019 and the Terrorism Act 2000.

The Secretary of State revised the codes, published drafts for consultation, considered feedback, and laid the final versions before Parliament.

The updated codes govern the exercise of powers at UK ports and the Northern Ireland border related to combating terrorism and hostile state activity, aiming for better clarity, training, and adherence to legal frameworks.

The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (Commencement No. 2) Regulations 2025

These regulations, enacted under the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, bring into force section 124 on September 30, 2025.

This section amends the Online Safety Act 2023, requiring providers of certain regulated online services to retain information related to child death investigations.

The regulations are the second set issued under the 2025 Act, and an impact assessment referencing a prior assessment was published on the UK Government website.

The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (Commencement No. 3 and Transitional and Saving Provisions) Regulations 2025

These regulations set commencement dates for parts of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, amending the Data Protection Act 2018.

Sections 79 and 88 (legal professional privilege and national security exemptions) come into force immediately, while sections 89 and 90 (joint processing by intelligence and authorities) commence on November 17, 2025.

Transitional provisions protect data subjects' rights previously established under the 2018 Act until the 2025 Act changes come into effect.

The Online Safety Super-Complaints (Eligibility and Procedural Matters) Regulations 2025

These regulations, effective December 31, 2025, govern the submission of super-complaints regarding online safety to OFCOM under the Online Safety Act 2023.

They define eligibility criteria for entities submitting complaints, specifying requirements for supporting evidence and the information to be included in the complaints.

The regulations also outline grounds for rejecting complaints, procedures for OFCOM's response, and restrictions on complaint submissions.

The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (Commencement No. 1) Regulations 2025

The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (Commencement No. 1) Regulations 2025 bring into force various sections of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, effective August 20, 2025.

These sections cover aspects such as access to customer and business data, amendments to the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018, the establishment of the Information Commission, and provisions related to online safety, eIDAS regulations, copyright, and AI. The regulations specify which subsections of each section come into force, and their geographical extent across the UK.

The Online Safety Act 2023 (Commencement No. 6) Regulations 2025

These regulations bring into force section 210 of the Online Safety Act 2023 on July 25, 2025.

This section repeals Part 4B of the Communications Act 2003, ending a transition period that began in January 2024.

The change puts video-sharing platforms under the Online Safety Act's updated duties of care.

The regulations apply across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

A full impact assessment is available.

The Criminal Justice Act 2003 (Suitability for Fixed Term Recall) Order 2025

This Order modifies the Criminal Justice Act 2003, changing the conditions for automatic release of recalled prisoners in England and Wales.

It introduces stricter criteria, including a new schedule of offenses that disqualify prisoners from automatic release after 28 days (or 14 days for sentences less than 12 months).

The revised criteria consider factors such as age, sentence length, offense type, terrorist-related activity, and multi-agency public protection arrangements (MAPPA) levels.

The amendments aim to improve public safety by retaining those deemed a higher risk in custody for extended periods.

The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 (Guernsey) Order 2025

The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 (Guernsey) Order 2025 extends specific provisions of the UK's Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 and the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 to the Bailiwick of Guernsey.

Key changes include modifying information-sharing requirements between Guernsey's police force and the UK's Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to enhance barring decisions related to individuals working with vulnerable adults and children.

The order also amends the Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records) (Guernsey) (Amendment) Order 2012 to reflect these changes.