Justice Legislation
Laws relating to criminal justice, court procedures, legal services, law enforcement, and judicial administration.
These 2026 Regulations impose a restriction on the flight of unmanned aircraft below 1,000 feet above mean sea level within a specified area around Whitfield, Kent, designated as Restricted Area EGR1U100, based on security interests identified by the Secretary of State at the request of the Home Office; the Regulations come into force on 11th June 2026, revoke previous 2025 restrictions, and provide exemptions for emergency services and operations permitted by Border Force.
The Public Interest Merger Reference (Telegraph Media Group Holdings Limited) (Pre-emptive Action) Order 2026
This Statutory Instrument, made by the Secretary of State under the Enterprise Act 2002, prevents the parties involved in the proposed acquisition of Telegraph Media Group Holdings Limited by Daily Mail and General Trust plc (DMGT) from taking 'pre-emptive action' while a public interest intervention notice remains in force; the Order mandates that the Telegraph Media Group Holdings business must be carried on separately, maintaining its operational status, editorial independence, key staff, and market position until the review period concludes.
The Network Rail (Kettering to Wigston South Junction and Napsbury Lane) (Land Acquisition) Order 2026
This Statutory Instrument, The Network Rail (Kettering to Wigston South Junction and Napsbury Lane) (Land Acquisition) Order 2026, grants Network Rail Infrastructure Limited the powers to compulsorily acquire land, or new rights over land, necessary for the electrification and improvement works on the Midland Mainline railway between Kettering and Wigston South Junction, as well as access rights at Napsbury Lane; the Order details modifications to existing legislation concerning compulsory purchase, temporary possession for construction and maintenance, compensation assessment procedures, and the extinguishment of certain private rights of way, setting a five-year limit for exercising these acquisition powers.
The Pedicab Vehicles (London) Regulations 2026
These Regulations, established by Transport for London (TfL) under the Pedicabs (London) Act 2024, implement a comprehensive licensing regime for pedicab vehicles used for hire or reward in Greater London, mandating that all vehicles must hold a current London Pedicab Vehicle Licence issued by TfL. The rules detail application procedures, annual licensing periods, required vehicle specifications (outlined in the London Pedicab Specification), mandatory insurance, and the requirement for unique vehicle identification.
They establish offences for unlicensed operation, set out conditions under which TfL can impose, vary, suspend, or revoke licences—including for safety breaches or criminal activity by the holder—and establish a system of fixed penalty notices for certain contraventions, alongside a formal process for internal reconsideration and right to appeal license decisions.
The Pedicab Drivers (London) Regulations 2026
These Regulations, implemented by Transport for London (TfL) under the Pedicabs (London) Act 2024, establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for individuals operating pedicabs within Greater London, making a London pedicab driver's licence mandatory for all drivers and prescribing detailed application criteria covering age, physical fitness, immigration status, and mandatory testing on safety and English language proficiency (B1 level).
The rules also detail ongoing obligations, such as maintaining high-level public liability insurance, mandatory background checks via enhanced DBS certificates, adherence to TfL conditions, and specific rules regarding advertisement language, while establishing procedures for licence suspension, revocation, fixed penalties for minor infractions, and a dual-level appeal process.
The Compulsory Purchase of Land (Prescribed Forms) (Ministers) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2026
This Statutory Instrument corrects a commencement date error in the prior Compulsory Purchase of Land (Prescribed Forms) (Ministers) (Amendment) Regulations 2026, replacing the incorrect date of '18th February 2025' with the correct operative date of '18th February 2026' for those principal regulations in England and Wales, exercising powers granted under the Acquisition of Land Act 1981.
The Local Authorities (Changes to Years of Ordinary Elections) (England) (Revocation) Order 2026
This Statutory Instrument, made by the Secretary of State exercising powers under the Local Government Act 2000, revokes the Local Authorities (Changes to Years of Ordinary Elections) (England) Order 2026, which had previously postponed local government elections in 30 councils from May 2026 until May 2027, thereby mandating that those local elections now proceed in May 2026.
These Regulations impose emergency restrictions on the flight of unmanned aircraft within a defined circular area centered on Leicester, prohibiting all flights below 1000 feet above mean sea level unless specifically directed by the Leicestershire Police; the Secretary of State implemented this restriction immediately due to a public interest matter arising from an emergency in the specified area.