Finance Legislation

Laws governing financial services, banking regulation, insurance, investment, and securities trading.

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 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 Gambling Act 2005 (Gaming Tables in Casinos) (Definitions) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

These regulations amend the Gambling Act 2005 by redefining "gaming table" in casinos.

The changes clarify that only apparatus designed or adapted for real games of chance and requiring staff operation count toward the ratio determining the permissible number of gaming machines.

This impacts casino licensing and affects the number of gaming machines allowed in casinos based on the number of qualifying gaming tables.

The regulations apply to England, Wales, and Scotland, coming into force on July 22, 2025.

The Syria (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

The Syria (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 amend the 2019 Syria sanctions regulations.

Key changes include updating the definition of the 'Assad regime', revising the regulations' stated purposes to include promoting Syrian peace and accountability for human rights abuses, and altering designation criteria for sanctioned individuals and entities.

The amendments also significantly reduce the scope of sanctions, particularly those limiting trade, financial services, and the aviation sector, to facilitate economic recovery in Syria.

The regulations remove obsolete provisions related to previous sanctions on the Syrian regime and replace references to 'Syrian regime person' with references to a newly defined 'Governing Authority of Syria'.

The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2025

The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2025, effective May 15, 2025, amend the 1999 Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations.

They clarify fees for large vehicle off-road manoeuvres tests, specifying different rates depending on whether the test is conducted by a DVSA examiner or a private provider.

The regulations also mandate that fees for tests conducted by private providers be paid directly to and retained by those providers.

The Secretary of State consulted relevant organizations and obtained Treasury approval for the fee changes.

The Free Zone (Customs Site No. 7 Liverpool) Designation Order 2025

This order designates Customs Site No. 7 in Liverpool as a free zone for a 10-year period, appointing John K Philips Group Limited as the responsible authority.

The order details specific conditions the responsible authority must meet, including maintaining detailed records, providing access for HMRC officers, ensuring safe working conditions, and taking measures to prevent unauthorized activities within the free zone.

The authority is subject to comprehensive reporting and inspection provisions.

Failure to meet any condition may result in revocation of the designation.

The Investigatory Powers (Amendment) Act 2024 (Commencement No. 2) Regulations 2025

These regulations, made under the Investigatory Powers (Amendment) Act 2024, bring section 5 of that Act into force on April 25th, 2025.

This section concerns the handling of third-party bulk personal datasets.

The regulations apply across the UK and have been approved by the Minister of State for the Home Office. An impact assessment was deemed unnecessary due to a lack of predicted significant impact on the public or private sectors.

The Civil Proceedings and Magistrates' Courts Fees (Amendment) Order 2025

Published: Tue 8th Apr 25

The Civil Proceedings and Magistrates’ Courts Fees (Amendment) Order 2025, effective the day after its enactment, amends fee schedules in the Civil Proceedings Fees Order 2008 and the Magistrates’ Courts Fees Order 2008 for England and Wales.

Specifically, it updates fees related to ship/goods sales in the High Court's Admiralty jurisdiction and liability orders/warrants of entry in Magistrates' Courts, with each fee's value restated.

This action was undertaken with the consent of the Treasury and following parliamentary approval, in accordance with the Courts Act 2003 and the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.