These regulations amend the Enterprise Act 2002 to create exceptions within the merger control regime for newspaper enterprises involving foreign powers.

They introduce specific circumstances under which a foreign power's holding of shares or voting rights in a newspaper owner does not constitute control or influence, primarily focusing on situations involving state-owned investors with limited holdings and associated persons with minimal ownership stakes.

The changes aim to streamline the merger review process while addressing concerns around foreign influence.

The Nuclear Installations (Compensation for Nuclear Damage) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 amend the Nuclear Installations Act 1965 to implement the Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage (CSC).

The amendments remove a lower liability cap for claims under the CSC, unifying the liability limit with the one applied under the Paris Convention.

This increase in potential compensation is aimed at better protecting victims of nuclear incidents while aligning UK law with international standards.

Consequential changes across several sections of the 1965 Act ensure consistency and functionality in managing compensation claims.

The Arbitration Act 2025 (Commencement) Regulations 2025, signed July 16th, 2025, by the Minister of State at the Ministry of Justice, bring into effect all provisions of the Arbitration Act 2025 not already in force.

All provisions of the Act are now effective as of August 1st, 2025, creating a comprehensive legal framework for arbitration in the UK.

The Firearms (Amendment) Rules 2025, effective August 5th, 2025, amend the Firearms Rules 1998 in England, Wales, and Scotland.

Key changes include increasing the required number of referees for shotgun certificate applications from one to two, and updating the application forms for firearm/shotgun certificates and firearms dealer registrations.

These new forms request information about neuro-developmental conditions and time spent abroad.

Transitional arrangements allow the use of older forms until September 5th, 2025.

The Local Audit (Major Local Audit) (Amendment) Regulations 2025, effective August 17, 2025, amend the 2014 Local Audit Regulations.

The key change increases the financial threshold for designating a local authority audit as 'major'.

For financial years starting after April 1st, 2025, this threshold rises to £875 million (from £500 million).

This adjustment applies to England and Wales only, impacting local governance and financial accountability.

These regulations bring into force section 210 of the Online Safety Act 2023 on July 25, 2025.

This section repeals Part 4B of the Communications Act 2003, ending a transition period that began in January 2024.

The change puts video-sharing platforms under the Online Safety Act's updated duties of care.

The regulations apply across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

A full impact assessment is available.

The Civil Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2025 amend the Civil Procedure Rules 1998, primarily to integrate electronic filing and case management systems and to accommodate recent legislative changes.

Specific changes include updates to rules concerning time limits (rule 2.8), filing and sending documents (rule 5.5), alternative procedure for claims (Part 8), competition law claims (rule 30.8), costs assessment (rule 44.6), adding parties to proceedings (rule 46.2), appeals (Part 52), hearings (rule 62.10), and closed material proceedings (Part 82).

The amendments aim for enhanced efficiency, clarity, and accessibility within the civil justice system.

The Solihull (Electoral Changes) Order 2025 implements recommendations from the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, abolishing existing wards and creating 17 new ones in Solihull.

The order specifies the number of councillors for each ward, schedules elections for 2026 and subsequent years, and outlines the retirement process for existing councillors.

Changes also affect parish wards in Bickenhill & Marston Green, Kingshurst, and Smith’s Wood, with new ward structures and councillor allocations detailed in Schedule 2.

The changes aim for fairer representation and more effective local government.