Finance Legislation
Laws governing financial services, banking regulation, insurance, investment, and securities trading.
The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (References to Financial Investigators) (England and Wales and Northern Ireland) (Amendment) Order 2025
- Department: Home Office
- Made under: Proceeds of Crime Act 2002
The 2025 Order amended the 2021 Order to update descriptions of accredited financial investigators regarding cryptoassets for civil recovery processes.
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
- Department: HM Treasury
- Made under: Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992
The Treasury specified fourteen gilt-edged securities as exempt from capital gains tax.
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.
The Insolvency Practitioners (Recognised Professional Bodies) (Revocation of Recognition of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland) Order 2025
- Department: Department for Business and Trade
- Made under: Insolvency Act 1986
The UK government revoked the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland’s recognition as a recognised professional body for insolvency practitioners.
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
- Department: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
- Made under: Planning Act 2008
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.
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
- Department: Ministry of Justice
- Made under: Judicial Review and Courts Act 2022
The 2025 regulations established online procedure rules for specified civil and family proceedings relating to property and financial remedies in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
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
- Department: Department for Culture, Media and Sport
- Made under: Gambling Act 2005
The Gambling Act 2005 was amended to redefine "gaming table" in casinos, impacting the permitted number of gaming machines, effective July 22, 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
- Department: Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
- Made under: Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018
These regulations amended the Syria (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, updated the definition of the Assad regime, revised stated purposes, altered designation criteria, and reduced the scope of sectoral sanctions to promote Syria's economic recovery.
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
- Department: Department for Transport
- Made under: Road Traffic Act 1988
The 2025 regulations amended the 1999 Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations to specify fees for large vehicle off-road manoeuvres tests and direct payment to private test providers.
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.