Justice Legislation

Laws relating to criminal justice, court procedures, legal services, law enforcement, and judicial administration.

The Local Audit (Amendment of Definition of Smaller Authority) Regulations 2025

These regulations amend the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014, redefining 'smaller authority' based on gross income and expenditure.

For financial years starting after April 1st, 2024, the threshold increases from £6.5 million to £15 million.

The changes aim to provide greater financial flexibility for local authorities while maintaining appropriate levels of financial scrutiny.

The regulations apply to England and Wales and were approved by both Houses of Parliament.

The Building Regulations etc. (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2025

Published: Wed 17th Sept 25

The Building Regulations etc. (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2025 amend the Building (Registered Building Control Approvers etc.) (England) Regulations 2024 and the Building Regulations 2010, primarily focusing on improving building safety and compliance procedures.

Key changes include revised notice requirements for completed building works, stricter reporting for when clients cannot provide statements from contractors or designers, and clarifying procedures for handling contraventions.

The regulations also prescribe cases where the Building Safety Regulator must provide copies of serious contravention orders to local authorities.

Transitional provisions ensure the amendments don't retrospectively apply to notices issued before the regulations' effective date.

The Access to the Countryside (Coastal Margin) (Felixstowe Ferry to Bawdsey) Order 2025

This order sets September 24, 2025, as the end of the access preparation period for coastal land between Felixstowe Ferry and Bawdsey.

The decision follows the approval by the Secretary of State of Natural England's proposals, detailed in six reports, under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949.

The order cites the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 as its legal basis and clarifies terms and definitions used in the approval process.

Copies of the Secretary of State’s notices of approval are available online and through the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

The Access to the Countryside (Coastal Margin) (Isle of Wight) (No. 1) Order 2025

This Order establishes September 17, 2025, as the end date for the access preparation period for coastal margin land on the Isle of Wight.

The decision is based on approvals granted by the Secretary of State for proposals outlined in reports by Natural England concerning coastal access routes.

The Order cites the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 and the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 as its legal basis.

The Ecclesiastical Judges, Legal Officers and Others (Fees) Order 2025

Published: Fri 12th Sept 25

The Ecclesiastical Judges, Legal Officers and Others (Fees) Order 2025, effective January 1, 2026, establishes a revised fee schedule for various services and proceedings within the Church of England's legal system.

The order specifies fees payable to ecclesiastical judges, registrars, and other officials in consistory courts, provincial courts, and other tribunals for matters such as faculty petitions, appeals, and disciplinary proceedings.

It also details provisions for fee exemptions, reductions, and the handling of Value Added Tax.

The order revokes the 2024 version and provides detailed tables outlining specific fees for different legal actions.

The A122 (Lower Thames Crossing) Development Consent (Correction) Order 2025

This order corrects errors and omissions within the A122 (Lower Thames Crossing) Development Consent Order 2025.

The corrections, requested by the applicant and the Kent Downs National Landscape Team, were made under the Planning Act 2008 and involve alterations to various articles and schedules, including modifications of definitions, article text, and table entries.

The order ensures the accuracy of the original consent order, improving clarity and facilitating the project’s efficient implementation.

The Competition Appeal Tribunal (Amendment) Rules 2025

Published: Wed 10th Sept 25

The Competition Appeal Tribunal (Amendment) Rules 2025 amend the 2015 rules to address claims under section 101 of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.

These amendments primarily clarify procedural rules for claims related to breaches of requirements imposed by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and incorporate provisions for CMA notification, potential stays of proceedings, and the Tribunal's consideration of stays.

The changes aim to create a more streamlined and efficient process for resolving such claims.

The Criminal Legal Aid (Standard Crime Contract) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

These regulations, effective October 1st, 2025, amend three sets of UK criminal legal aid regulations—General, Remuneration, and Financial Resources—to reflect the replacement of the 2022 Standard Crime Contract with the 2025 version.

The amendments update references to the contract throughout the existing regulations and also update references to the Standard Crime Contract Guidance for Reporting Crime Lower Work to its latest version.

A transitional provision ensures that pre-existing determinations are unaffected, and the regulations only apply to services provided under the new contract.