Justice Legislation
Laws relating to criminal justice, court procedures, legal services, law enforcement, and judicial administration.
The Offshore Installations (Safety Zones) (No. 2) Order 2025 establishes new 500-meter maritime safety zones around two specific offshore installations identified in its Schedule, exercising powers granted by the Petroleum Act 1987 following recommendations from the Health and Safety Executive. Furthermore, the Order simultaneously amends and revokes safety zones previously established by four separate Orders from 2007 and 2008 concerning certain wells or structures, notably within the Chestnut Field and Kingfisher area.
The zones prohibit unauthorized entry by vessels, installations in transit, or submersible apparatus.
These Regulations, made by the Treasury and the Secretary of State under the Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Act 2018, introduce various amendments to UK customs regulations, primarily focused on updating the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) origin rules and linked preferential arrangements, effective January 1, 2026.
Key changes involve differentiating origin rules for Enhanced Preference (EP) and Standard Preference (SP) countries, updating the criteria for 'economically vulnerable countries,' reclassifying Vanuatu from a Least Developed Country (LDC) to an 'other eligible developing country,' and updating the version numbers of several foundational customs reference documents.
The Immigration (Passenger Transit Visa) (Amendment) (No. 4) Order 2025
This Order, enacted under the powers of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, amends the Immigration (Passenger Transit Visa) Order 2014 to require nationals or citizens of Nauru to obtain a transit visa when passing through the United Kingdom while remaining airside. The legislation comes into force on December 10, 2025, and includes a transitional clause exempting those who arrived on or before January 20, 2026, provided they had a booking made before the Order’s enactment.
These Rules amend the Court Funds Rules 2011 to provide enhanced detail on how the Accountant General manages and invests sterling deposits separately from foreign currency deposits held in court.
Key changes involve specifying when interest accrues daily (for sterling) versus under foreign account terms, outlining investment procedures for foreign currency based on court schedules or directions, and simplifying payment-out procedures under the Civil Procedure Rules.
These Regulations, made by the Secretary of State under the Police Act 1996, amend the Police Regulations 2003 concerning part-time appointments and annual leave for police officers in England and Wales.
Specifically, the changes remove the obligation for chief officers to consult local representatives when appointing part-time officers, ensure equal treatment for part-time officers regarding probation and overtime, and allow annual leave to be taken in flexible 'periods' rather than fixed 'days' or 'half days'.
The Ministry of Defence Police (Conduct, Performance and Appeals Tribunals) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
These 2025 Regulations amend the existing Ministry of Defence Police (Conduct, Performance and Appeals Tribunals) Regulations 2020 to align the disciplinary and performance procedures for Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) officers and former officers with recent changes made to the equivalent procedures for territorial police forces in England and Wales.
Key amendments include clarifying that convictions for indictable-only offences constitute gross misconduct, mandating disciplinary action for misconduct findings, updating rules for serving notices electronically, simplifying the performance review system by removing the third stage, and introducing new procedural requirements for former officers regarding accelerated misconduct hearings.
The Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (Commencement No. 8 and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2025
These Regulations, made under the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023, commence specific provisions primarily related to compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) under the Acquisition of Land Act 1981.
The commencement applies to CPOs subject to confirmation by an authority other than the Welsh Ministers, or those prepared in draft by a Minister other than the Welsh Ministers.
Key changes involve bringing into force requirements for online publicity for CPOs and amending procedural rules within the 1981 Act.
A transitional provision clarifies that these amendments do not apply where necessary statutory public notices were published before the commencement date, ensuring ongoing processes are not legally disrupted.
The South East Water Limited (River Ouse and Shell Brook) Drought Order 2025
The Secretary of State issued the South East Water Limited (River Ouse and Shell Brook) Drought Order 2025, effective from December 3, 2025, until June 2, 2026, to address a threatened serious water supply deficiency in the Sussex region caused by an exceptional shortage of rain.
This Order temporarily modifies South East Water Limited's existing abstraction licence (No. 21/128) by reducing required compensation release volumes to the Shell Brook, altering the natural flow conditions under which water can be abstracted from the River Ouse at Barcombe, and enabling abstraction at Ardingly during the Order's duration.
The Order mandates adherence to an environmental monitoring plan and specific mitigation measures detailed in a supporting Environmental Assessment Report.