Devolution Legislation

Legislative framework governing powers delegated to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, including regional autonomy and inter-governmental relations.

The Online Procedure Rules (Specified Proceedings) Regulations 2025

The Online Procedure Rules (Specified Proceedings) Regulations 2025, enacted under the Judicial Review and Courts Act 2022, define specific civil and family proceedings in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland eligible for online procedures.

These include property-related cases in various courts and tribunals, and financial remedy proceedings in English and Welsh family courts.

The regulations were approved by both Houses of Parliament and signed by the Lord Chancellor, Lady Chief Justice, and Senior President of Tribunals.

The Ivory Prohibitions (Exemptions) (Process and Procedure) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

These regulations amend the Ivory Prohibitions (Exemptions) (Process and Procedure) Regulations 2022 to add three national museums—in Merseyside, Northern Ireland, and Wales—to the list of institutions authorized to advise the Secretary of State on applications for exemption certificates under the Ivory Act 2018.

The amendment aims to improve the expertise and geographic reach of advice provided.

The Ecodesign for Energy-Related Products and Energy Information (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2025

These regulations amend existing legislation in Northern Ireland to incorporate the latest EU ecodesign requirements for energy-related products and energy labelling.

The changes, implemented under the Windsor Framework, update the lists of products and their associated regulations, ensuring compliance with EU law.

Specific products covered include tumble dryers, space heaters, and smartphones, with staggered implementation dates.

The Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2025

This order implements the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 across the UK. It mandates information sharing and review processes by UK law enforcement bodies regarding Level 2 disclosures, mirroring existing duties of Scottish law enforcement.

It also amends relevant acts to ensure consistency and defines key terms like "UK law-enforcement body." The order addresses payment for services rendered under its provisions and outlines guidance issuance by the Scottish Ministers.

The Electricity (Individual Exemption from the Requirement for a Transmission Licence) (Spiorad na Mara) (Scotland) Order 2025

The Electricity (Individual Exemption from the Requirement for a Transmission Licence) (Spiorad na Mara) (Scotland) Order 2025 grants an indefinite exemption from the requirement for Spiorad na Mara Limited to hold an electricity transmission licence for the transmission of electricity from its offshore generating station in the Isle of Lewis to an onshore substation.

The Secretary of State made the order under powers granted by the Electricity Act 1989, after consultation with Scottish Ministers, based on the unique circumstances of the offshore project.

The exemption applies to Scotland only, takes effect on May 7, 2025 and does not require a full impact assessment due to the anticipated lack of significant impact on the public or private sectors.

The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 (Amendment) (Provision of Information) Order 2025

This Order amends the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 to allow the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to share barred list information with several non-territorial police forces within the UK and those in the Crown Dependencies.

The amendment adds these forces to the list of recipients in section 50A(3) of the Act, improving information sharing to better safeguard vulnerable groups and enhance national security.

The Order received parliamentary approval and extends to England and Wales, coming into force the day after its enactment.

The Public Service Pensions Revaluation Order 2025

The Public Service Pensions Revaluation Order 2025 sets the revaluation percentages for public service pensions for the period from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025.

It specifies a 1.7% increase based on price changes and a 4.5% increase based on earnings changes.

The order takes effect on April 1, 2025, but for certain specified schemes, it comes into effect on April 6, 2025.

The order covers England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland and is made under the powers granted by the Public Service Pensions Act 2013.

The Health and Care Professions Council (Miscellaneous Amendments) Rules Order of Council 2025

This Order approves amendments to the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) rules.

The amendments increase various registration and scrutiny fees, reflecting updated operational costs, and allow the HCPC to conduct meetings and hearings using audio or video conferencing technology improving efficiency and access.

The fee increases affect registration, renewal, readmission, and restoration fees, as well as scrutiny fees for UK and international applicants.

The changes to procedures affect multiple sets of HCPC procedural rules, specifically those concerning the Investigating, Conduct and Competence, Health, and Registration Appeals Committees.

The HCPC consulted with relevant bodies and stakeholders before implementing these changes.