Justice Legislation

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

The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 (Commencement No. 9 and Saving Provisions) Regulations 2025

Part 3 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 was commenced on a trial basis in selected areas of England and Wales, and inconsistencies in previous commencement regulations were corrected.


These regulations, effective April 28th, 2025, initiate a pilot program in six specified areas of North Wales for a limited period, implementing Part 3 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.

This includes rolling out new domestic abuse protection notices and orders, aiming to bolster protection for victims.

The program also rectifies inconsistencies in prior commencement regulations.

The initiative's impact will be carefully assessed for informing further national implementation.

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The Syria (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

Published: Thu 24th Apr 25 Came into force: Fri 25th Apr 25

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'.

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The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2025

Published: Thu 24th Apr 25 Came into force: Thu 15th May 25

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.

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The Free Zone (Customs Site No. 7 Liverpool) Designation Order 2025

The Free Zone (Customs Site No. 7 Liverpool) Designation Order 2025 designated Customs Site No. 7 Liverpool as a free zone, appointed a responsible authority, and established conditions for its operation.


This order designates Customs Site No. 7 in Liverpool as a free zone for a 10-year period, appointing John K Philips Group Limited as the responsible authority.

The order details specific conditions the responsible authority must meet, including maintaining detailed records, providing access for HMRC officers, ensuring safe working conditions, and taking measures to prevent unauthorized activities within the free zone.

The authority is subject to comprehensive reporting and inspection provisions.

Failure to meet any condition may result in revocation of the designation.

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The Investigatory Powers (Amendment) Act 2024 (Commencement No. 2) Regulations 2025

The Investigatory Powers (Amendment) Act 2024 (Commencement No. 2) Regulations 2025 brought section 5 of the Act into force regarding third-party bulk personal datasets on April 25th, 2025.


These regulations, made under the Investigatory Powers (Amendment) Act 2024, bring section 5 of that Act into force on April 25th, 2025.

This section concerns the handling of third-party bulk personal datasets.

The regulations apply across the UK and have been approved by the Minister of State for the Home Office. An impact assessment was deemed unnecessary due to a lack of predicted significant impact on the public or private sectors.

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The Heckington Fen Solar Park (Correction) Order 2025

Published: Tue 15th Apr 25 Came into force: Mon 14th Apr 25

The Heckington Fen Solar Park (Correction) Order 2025 corrected errors in the original 2025 Order, amending references and coordinates within various articles and schedules.


This order corrects errors in the Heckington Fen Solar Park Order 2025, a development consent order under the Planning Act 2008.

The Secretary of State approved corrections based on a written request from the applicant, which were then notified to the relevant local planning authorities.

The corrections amend several sections of the original order, updating references and coordinates, particularly in Schedules 1 and 13.

The effective date is April 14, 2025.

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The National Grid (Bramford to Twinstead Reinforcement) (Correction) Order 2025

Published: Mon 14th Apr 25 Came into force: Wed 9th Apr 25

The 2025 Order corrected errors and omissions in the National Grid (Bramford to Twinstead Reinforcement) Order 2024.


The National Grid (Bramford to Twinstead Reinforcement) (Correction) Order 2025 rectifies errors and omissions in the 2024 Order, a development consent order under the Planning Act 2008.

The Secretary of State received a request for corrections and subsequently issued this order detailing specific textual changes across multiple articles and schedules of the 2024 Order, impacting definitions, articles defining development consent and procedures, along with specific provisions relating to the project.

The order ensures the legal framework for the project is accurate.

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The Bradford (Electoral Changes) Order 2025

Published: Wed 9th Apr 25

The Order established 30 new electoral wards in Bradford, abolished existing wards, and implemented a new election schedule for city and parish councillors, based on recommendations from the Local Government Boundary Commission for England.


The Bradford (Electoral Changes) Order 2025 implements recommendations from the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, abolishing existing electoral wards in Bradford and establishing 30 new ones.

The Order details the new ward names and boundaries, specifies three councillors per ward, and outlines a phased election schedule beginning with a whole-city council election in 2026 transitioning to elections by thirds thereafter.

Similar changes are implemented for parish wards in surrounding areas.

The Order ensures that the changes comply with the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009.

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