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The latest update to our Capital Gains Tax Reliefs for SMEs and Entrepreneurs is now live for subscribers. Commentary and examples have been updated in line with the provisions of Finance Act 2026.
The latest set of Tax Case Summaries are now live for subscribers. This includes Revenue and Customs v Candy [2026] UKUT 282 (TCC), where a Taxpayer could make an overpayment relief claim after the time limit for amending land transaction return had expired. Also included is Tapi Carpets Limited v HMRC [2026] UKFTT 1128 (TC). This appeal to the First-tier Tribunal was against assessments issued by HMRC on the basis that the Appellant was liable to account for VAT totalling £13,555,315. HMRC contended that this VAT was due on the supply of services of the fitting of flooring to its customers who had purchased flooring from it.
The latest update to Making Tax Digital Tracker is now live for subscribers.
This content has been updated throughout to reflect the passing of the first filing deadline for MTD IT and recent HMRC announcements. In particular, a new section E1.3.6 has been added with information on HMRC-led sign up of those taxpayers who should have joined MTD IT for 2026/27, but have not yet been signed up. A new section C3.2.4 (and example C3.7) has also been added to cover what happens if a business ceases that is due to come into MTD IT.
The September update of Planning and Administration of Offshore and Onshore Trusts is now live for subscribers. Issue 93 contains a general update of the following chapters - A2: Uses of an Offshore Trust, A3: Use of Offshore Trusts Onshore, A6: Global Information Exchange and Transparency, A7: Constitutional and Human Rights Implications of the CRS and Beneficial Ownership Registers, AA2: Administrative Responsibilities of Trustees, B13A: Spain, B15: United States of America, D2: Bermuda, D7: Guernsey, D10: Jersey, and D11: Mauritius.
Issue 53 of Duckworth: Matrimonial Property and Finance is now available subscribers.
The September issue of Bloomsbury Company and Commercial Law Briefing is now available for subscribers.
The September issue of Bloomsbury IP/IT Law Briefing is now available for subscribers.
In the latest judgment in the Patents Court concerning standard essential patents, Mr Justice Mellor found a Samsung patent valid, essential to the 5G standard and therefore infringed by ZTE’s 5G-enabled devices (Samsung Electronics Co Ltd & Anor v ZTE Corporation & Ors [2026] EWHC 2235 (Pat)).
In his judgment in Aristo Pharma GmbH v Takeda Pharmaceuticals USA Inc & Anor [2026] EWHC 2414 (Pat), His Honour Judge Hacon upheld the validity of a supplementary protection certificate for the lisdexamfetamine, which is sold under the brand name Elvanse to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Mr Justice Cawson granted an application to strike out a copyright infringement claim, unless it could be promptly amended, as it was not pleaded with sufficient detail to establish a complete cause of action or to enable the defendants to understand the case they must answer (Entain Operations Ltd & Ors v Liquidity Trading Ltd & Ors [2026] EWHC 2330 (Ch)).
In Montres Breguet SA & Ors v Samsung Electronics Co Ltd & Anor [2026] EWHC 2228 (Ch), an inquiry into damages following findings of trade mark infringement in relation to smart watches, Mr Justice Marcus Smith rejected both parties’ submissions and favoured a third-way approach to the assessment, resulting in an award of $11.6 million.
In the IP Enterprise Court, Deputy High Court Judge David Stone found a patent for an electric shower-waste pump and control unit valid but not infringed (DLP Ltd v Coram UK Holding Ltd [2026] EWHC 2448 (IPEC)).
The trade mark FLOWERBX was valid and infringed by the use of signs including FLOWERSBOX, FLOWERS BOX and FLOWERS BOX LONDON, according to a judgment by Miss Recorder Amanda Michaels (Flowerbx Ltd v Flowers Box London Ltd [2026] EWHC 2233 (IPEC)).
In the High Court of Ireland, Mr Justice Barry O’Donnell rejected an appeal brought by Merck Serono against a decision to refuse its application for an SPC for its second medicinal use product Mavenclad (Serano v The Controller Of Intellectual Property (Approved) [2026] IEHC 617).
In a case concerning alleged infringement of IKEA’s trade marks by a political party in Belgium (Case C-298/23 Inter IKEA Systems BV v Algemeen Vlaams Belang VZW and Others [ECLI:EU:C:2026:721]), the Grand Chamber of the CJEU ruled on questions concerning third-party use of trade marks.
The Court of Appeal (CoA) of the Unified Patent Court (UPC) ruled that article 60 of the UPC Agreement, which concerns orders to preserve evidence and inspect premises, ‘does not confer on the Court the power to allow a bailiff or expert to question the defendant’s personnel on technical details relating to the defendant’s products or production processes’ (UPC_CoA_113_2026).
In a case concerning two patents relating to labelling machines, the UPC CoA held that: ‘The question whether an action for a declaration of non-infringement of a patent can be filed before its grant is not a question of competence of the Unified Patent Court but is a question of admissibility of the instituted claims’ (UPC-CoA-90/2026).
In its decision G 1/25 Conditions under which a claim amendment requires the description to be adapted [ECLI:EP:BA:2026:G000125.20260903], the Enlarged Board of Appeal of the European Patent Office ruled that, if claim amendments result in an inconsistency between the claims and description leading to non-compliance with the European Patent Convention, then the description must be adapted.
Finally, IP specialist Michael Tappin KC has been appointed as a High Court judge.
The October issue of 5 from 5 Essex Court is now available for subscribers.
The Third Edition of Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery Law and Practice is now available for subscribers.
This essential guide sets out the core legal and procedural issues for developing principled litigation and compliance strategies in human trafficking and modern slavery cases. Bridging disciplines and jurisdictions, it draws on domestic, European, and international frameworks, warning against siloed approaches and advocating cohesive, lawful decision-making.
The codification of slavery, forced labour, servitude, and trafficking is analysed in depth, with clear explanations of how reforms, including the Modern Slavery Act 2015, Nationality and Borders Act 2022, and Illegal Migration Act 2023, reshape UK law and its relationship with international standards, including evolving ICC jurisprudence. Positive obligations under Article 4 ECHR run throughout, with expert analysis of key developments such as VCL v UK, Begum v SSHD, World Uyghur Congress v NCA and R v Webb & Somerset How.
The Third Edition expands coverage with new chapters on supply chain accountability, transnational corporate remedies, and trauma informed practice. It incorporates novel scholarship and offers practical tools for practitioners and judges managing cases involving victims of exploitation, whether as victims or defendants. Step-by-step guidance includes jury directions, routes to verdict, and identifying victims of trafficking and modern slavery, a frequent point of appellate criticism. Recognised as the practitioner’s ‘bible’, it remains the definitive single-source reference for this complex and evolving field.
The Seventh Edition of The Scottish Legal System is now available for subscribers.
The Scottish Legal System sets out to present the ‘legal system and law of Scotland as a unique and constantly changing human enterprise’ and places the Scottish legal system in its broader political and social contexts.
This is achieved by covering not only the central aspects of the system, such as the courts and the legal profession, but also the border areas with constitutional law and jurisprudence.
This well-established text provides an up-to-date treatment of all significant developments affecting the Scottish legal system.
The Seventh Edition covers:
This text is an invaluable introduction for students and anyone with an interest in the Scottish legal system.
Issue 105 of Hershman and McFarlane: Children Law and Practice is now available for subscribers.
The September issue of Bloomsbury Cyber Law Briefing is now available for subscribers.
The Third Edition of The Scots Law of Succession is now available for subscribers.
The Scots Law of Succession provides a clear comprehensive exposition of the law of succession in Scotland. It offers a straightforward approach to this often confusing area of law and includes commentary on the background and possible difficulties of interpretation of the rules of succession.
Since neither statute nor case law provides complete answers to many of the questions that commonly arise, this book assists both students and practitioners in the logical working through of solutions by emphasising the principled system of rules and presumptions of law governing succession.
Helpful examples and illustrations are provided throughout and succession is placed in its broader context of property law, family law and trusts. As well as updated case law and statutory elements, the Third Edition takes account of recent legislation including the Succession (Scotland) Act 2016 and the Trusts and Succession (Scotland) Act 2024, as well as commentary on the attempted reforms of intestate succession in Scotland.
Family Court Reports [2026] Vol 2 Pt 7 is now available for subscribers.
The following cases have been reported in [2026] 2 FCR 7:
A v Z [2026] EWHC 654 (Fam); 2 FCR 573
A and Z: Service Out; MPS; LSPO, Re [2026] EWFC 64; 2 FCR 603
A Mother (Appeal: Alienating Behaviours: Fair Procedure), Re [2026] EWHC 783 (Fam); 2 FCR 628
M (A Child: Costs), Re [2026] EWCA Civ 381; 2 FCR 648
Matthew James Pringle v Olivia Margaret Nervo [2026] EWCA Civ 266; 2 FCR 671
Family Court Reports [2026] Vol 2 Pt 8 is now available for subscribers.
The following cases have been reported [2026] 2 FCR 8:
A and Z (No 2) (Interim Third Party Debt Order), Re [2026] EWFC 90; 2 FCR 695
Ferrara v Ferrara [2026] EWCA Civ 512; 2 FCR 705
P (No 2) Welfare, Re [2026] EWCA Civ 571; 2 FCR 753
Potanina v Potanin (Case Management) [2026] EWFC 80; 2 FCR 765
X (A Child), Re [2026] EWCA Civ 518; 2 FCR 800
Family Court Reports [2026] Vol 3 Pt 1 is now available for subscribers.
The following cases have been reported in [2026] 3 FCR 1:
Ahmed v The Secretary of State for the Home Department [2026] EWCA Civ 509; 3 FCR 1
Archer v Archer & Ors [2026] EWHC 468 (Fam); 3 FCR 27
J (Loss of Parental Responsibility), Re [2026] EWCA Civ 344; 3 FCR 55
Kanabar v Kanabar (Deceased) & Anor [2026] EWCA Civ 582; 3 FCR 84
SL v SM [2026] EWFC 109; 3 FCR 110
The September issue of Irish Property Law Update is now available for subscribers of Irish Property Law. This month we cover the following updates:
The Irish Property Law Update is updated monthly and is a comprehensive service for those practitioners practising in property law overseeing the latest developments in the area.
The September issue of Bloomsbury Family Law Briefing is now available for subscribers.
T and F (Placement Orders: Child's Permanence Reports) [2026] EWCA Civ 902 (16 July 2026) – Despite directions from the court to serve permanence reports on the parents via their solicitors the local authority failed to do so; but the placement order could stand.
F v M (Disclosure to the First Tier Tribunal) [2026] EWHC 2171 (Fam) (14 August 2026), Debra Powell KC as a High Court judge – Order that a mother communicate (FPR 2010, r 12.73) a fact-finding hearing judgment (in F v M & Anor [2026] EWHC 239 (Fam) (9 February 2026 Debra Powell KC) to the First-tier Tribunal.
Re A and B (No. 3)(care - further welfare hearing) [2026] EWFC 248 (24 August 2026), HHJ Vincent as a High Court judge – Abuse including rape by a father, Z, on daughter (16), A. Her sister B is living with her grandparents, to whom special guardianship order made.
A Reference by the Attorney General for Northern Ireland of a devolution issue under paragraph 34 of Schedule 10 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998 [2026] UKSC 16, [2026] 2 WLR 1087, [2026] WLR(D) 302 (2 June 2026) – Practice Statement (Judicial Precedent) [1966] 1 WLR 1234 applied by the Supreme Court to overrule Cheshire West and Chester Council v P [2014] UKSC 19, [2014] AC 896.
Re CX (No. 2) (Domestic abuse: No contact) [2026] EWFC 230 (13 August 2026), Garrido J – Domestic abuse of the mother by CX’s father (F), lead to F being denied contact; welfare principles applied to justify the court’s order.
Culligan v Rosemin-Culligan [2026] EWCA Civ 948, [2026] 4 WLR 59 (24 July 2026) – H’s appeal allowed. Wells sharing (per Wells v Wells [2002] EWCA Civ 476, [2002] 2 FLR 97 (20 March 2002: the approach where sharing should aim to achieve a fair division of both the copper-bottomed assets and risk-laden assets, should only form part of an award as a last resort; but ordered here.
Re A and B (No. 3)(care - further welfare hearing) [2026] EWFC 248 (24 August 2026), HHJ Vincent as a High Court judge: local authority to be named on application by A (16) as to the role they played in her predicament.
Operation of guidance in law
This article – the first of two – looks at the variety of levels of guidance which parties to proceedings, their lawyers and the courts must take into account in relation to family proceedings. For example, an Act of Parliament may define where a government body is permitted to issue formal statutory guidance. Beyond that a variety of ‘guidance’ is issued from time to time by bodies and individuals of varying authority. Such guidance consists of the following:
The first and second forms of ‘guidance’ will be considered in this article. The remaining two will be considered next month.
The first of these two – statutory guidance – will look at the role of safeguarding for children and the role of the courts and tribunals in such safeguarding under:
The second will look at formal judicial or ‘gap’ guidance after Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government v Bovale Ltd and Anor [2009] EWCA Civ 171, [2009] 1 WLR 2274 (11 March 2009) where the term was coined and where it was said by the Court of Appeal a judge was not permitted to disapply, ignore or vary rules, which have the force of delegated legislation, save where there is a gap in the rules. That ‘gap’ guidance becomes, in effect, part of the common law.
A further article will look next month at the ‘policy’ guidance and the variety of informal guidance issued by public bodies.
The August issue of Bloomsbury IP/IT Law Briefing is now available for subscribers.
The Court of Appeal ruled on a number of questions relating to an account of profits for patent infringement in its judgment in Lufthansa Technik AG v Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems & Anor [2026] EWCA Civ 964.
Mr Justice Meade found a combination patent, and the supplementary protection certificate based on it, to be valid in his judgment in Accord Healthcare Ltd v Novartis AG [2026] EWHC 2127 (Pat).
In her judgment in Roadget Business PTE Ltd & Anor v Whaleco UK Ltd [2026] EWHC 2165 (Ch), Mrs Justice Bacon dismissed a copyright claim brought by Shein against Temu. The claim related to more than 2,500 photographs of Shein-branded fashion clothing on Temu’s UK website.
Recorder Douglas Campbell KC found breach of confidence and breach of contract in his judgment in EMJ Plastics Ltd v Mekina Industries Ltd & Ors [2026] EWHC 2163 (Ch), a case brought against two former employees of the claimant, EMJ, who had set up a new company.
The High Court of Ireland rejected an attempt by easyGroup to enforce a European Union trade mark for easyfundraising.ie (Easy Group Ltd and Anor v Easy Fundraising Ltd and Anor [2026] IEHC 512).
The Court of Appeal of the Unified Patent Court upheld a finding that packaging maker Omni-Pac did not infringe a patent owned by Hartmann relating to a display and distribution package for eggs (UPC-CoA-908/2025, UPC-CoA-909/2025, UPC-CoA-918/2025).
Finally, Chris McDonald MP has been appointed as minister with responsibility for IP.
The July – August 2026 issue of Pensions Law Briefing is now available for subscribers.
The latest update to our Capital Gains Tax annual is now live for subscribers.
Content has been updated in relation to the provisions of Finance Act 2026, including the removal of carried interest gains from CGT for 2026/27 onwards and increase in BADR rate on gains to 18% (paras 3.1). In addition a number of new case decisions are covered including the HMRC v BlueCrest Capital Management (UK) LLP [2026] UKSC 18 case re salaried partner rules (para 6.3); and Mark Campbell v HMRC [2025] UKFTT 00867 re private residence relief whilst residing in job-related accommodation (para 11.23).
The latest update to Incorporating and Disincorporating a Business is now live for subscribers. The commentary and examples have been updates in line with the provisions of Finance Act 2026; including changes to TCGA 1992, s 162(1) in relation to transfers of businesses on or after 6 April 2026 by including a requirement for the person making the transfer to claim the relief, including ‘such information as the Commissioners may require’ (para 5.19), and the impact of the change in threshold for IHT relief for business and agricultural property (paras 9.31 and 9.32).
The latest update to National Insurance Contributions 2026/27 is now live for subscribers.
Commentary and examples have been updated in line with the rates and allowances for the new tax year. Commentary has been added throughout to reflect the introduction of mandatory payrolling; and new commentary on of Autoclenz Ltd and Belcher & Ors including the Supreme Court decision, has also been added (para 2.31).
The latest update to our Stamp Taxes Annual is now live for subscribers. The commentary has been updated in line with Finance Act 2026, revised HMRC guidance and new case law including Mr Christopher Brzezicki v HMRC [2026] UKUT 125 (TCC) (para 4.59); and BTR Core Fund JPUT v HMRC [2026] UKUT 27 (TCC) (para 8.51).
The latest update to our VAT annual is now live for subscribers. Recent case decisions are noted and the commentary is up to date with the provisions of Finance Act 2026. In addition a note was added to reflect the temporary reduced VAT rate of 5% for children’s meals and family attractions and businesses making consumer‑facing supplies to families with children during the school summer holidays (para 9.16).
The latest update to Norfolk and Montagu on the Taxation of Interest and Debt Finance has now been published. A number of recent case decisions have been summarised including Take 3.9 TV Partnership (and others) v Commissioners for HMRC ([2026] UKFTT 696 (TC)) (para 15.181); Barclays Bank PLC v Commissioners for HMRC ([2026] UKUT 212 (TCC)) (para 7.655); and Jeremy Francis Harrmann v Commissioners from HMRC ([2026] UKFTT 715 (TC)) (para 15.95K).
The Ninth Edition of Thomson’s Family Law in Scotland is now available for subscribers.
Thomson’s Family Law in Scotland is a well-established, clear and comprehensive book on Scots child and family law.
The Ninth Edition includes important recent legislative changes and provides commentary on how recent case law has informed the shape and future direction of the law. It includes chapters on:
This is an invaluable practical text for legal practitioners, students and all professionals working in child and family law.
Issue 100 of Court of Session Practice is now available for subscribers.
The latest set of Tax Case Summaries are now live for subscribers. This includes the decision in McIlhone v Revenue and Customs [2026] UKFTT 995 (TC), where a ten-year anniversary IHT charge arose on property comprised in EBT including sub-funds for company director shareholder’s family. Also included is Opus Labour Services Limited v HMRC [2026] UKUT 275 (TCC).This was an appeal to the Upper Tribunal (‘UT’) against a decision of the First-tier Tribunal (‘FTT’) that the denial of input tax was on the grounds that the relevant transactions were connected with the fraudulent avoidance of VAT and that the Appellant knew or should have known that this was the case.
The Sixth Edition of Aircraft Financing is now available for subscribers.
Aircraft Financing provides industry participants with expert guidance on the key elements that are relevant to aircraft financing and leasing transactions.
Written and edited by internationally renowned experts, this is the leading text providing guidance on all the core topics, including sources of funding, the main issues relevant to assessing and structuring potential financing and leasing transactions, and the key legal, tax and accounting considerations that frame commercial aviation financing transactions.
Split into four parts covering Market Context, Business Model - Key Elements, Core Products and Regulatory Matters, the Sixth Edition includes new or expanded sections on:
It is an invaluable handbook for anyone working in the leasing, banking, legal, tax and accounting industries, as well as those in airlines, financial investors, rating agencies and OEMs.
Vol 42, No 3 of Journal of Professional Negligence is now available for subscribers.
Vol 40, No 3 of Journal of Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Law is now available for subscribers.
Second Edition of Drafting Cayman Islands Trusts is now available for subscribers.
Written in a straightforward, modern style and providing a comprehensive set of trust precedents this book is a value-adding reference work on key areas of trust law for private client practitioners.
Containing a detailed discussion of administrative provisions, some of which are not generally dealt with in conventional textbooks on English trust law, it provides answers (with appropriate reasons and authority, where available) to a number of important questions for practitioners, such as: Are forfeiture clauses valid, and do automatic flee clauses work? How should a drafter provide for the trust's proper purpose, and would STAR trusts be recognised in other jurisdictions? How can one validly restrict a beneficiary's right to information and trust documents, and what indemnities should retiring trustees request from their successors?
The Second Edition reflects important new case law (in the Cayman Islands, England and other leading trust jurisdictions), legislative changes, changes to drafting practice and includes fully updated precedents which are also supplied as an accompanying electronic download. The meaning and, where relevant, the source of each provision used in the precedents is explained in the book, with suggested wording for common alternative options, as well as discussions of some common drafting mistakes and traps to avoid.
Vol 31, No 3 of Communications Law is now available for subscribers.
A Practical Guide to Scottish Criminal Law in Scotland is now available for subscribers.
Regardless of how well prepared a lawyer may be, the likelihood is that something unexpected will occur during court, be it in a trial, proof or debate. A Practical Guide to Scottish Criminal Law assists criminal court practitioners in preparing and conducting court business, covering issues that are commonly raised during criminal court hearings.
This accessible guide is split into nine elemental areas which a competent and effective court lawyer needs to know well. These areas include coverage of:
The busy criminal court practitioner who needs to have ready access to reliable information and answers will find this text invaluable. The book will be of particular interest to trainees and the newly qualified.
The August issue of Bloomsbury Company and Commercial Law Briefing is now available for subscribers.
Baby at the Bar: Navigating life as a barrister after becoming a parent is now available for subscribers.
Baby at the Bar provides comprehensive guidance for barristers at the self-employed Bar embarking on the parenting journey, or already on it, addressing not only the immediate considerations, such as taking and returning from maternity/parental leave, but also the years and evolving challenges which follow. The authors build on the collective wisdom of over 250 barristers, women and men, from across all areas of law and levels of call, who shared their insight, advice and strategies in response to the authors' research survey. The book rectifies a previous absence of such information.
In addition to being a source of reassurance and guidance for those seeking it, the book highlights how the profession could help. It encourages more supportive practices in chambers, amongst colleagues, opponents and the judiciary, by sharing what works, what can be improved, and what needs to end. The result is an unvarnished account of the challenges facing those at the self-employed Bar with parenting responsibilities, designed to encourage open and honest discussion about where the solutions lie.
Negotiating the Industrial Metaverse: A Legal Guide to Industry 4.0 is now available for subscribers.
As the technology of Industry 4.0 continues to evolve, the legal implications will ripple across all sectors, changing the way businesses operate and interact.
Negotiating the Industrial Metaverse: A Legal Guide to Industry 4.0 explores how traditional legal concepts, such as liability, contract enforcement, and intellectual property, must adapt to this new landscape.
This title provides the necessary tools to navigate the regulatory, legal, ethical and compliance issues arising from the integration of IoT, AI, digital twins, smart factories, big data, virtual reality and cloud computing into the industrial world, and:
Featuring contributions from legal practitioners and industry experts, this book provides a well-rounded understanding of the legal and technological landscape, making it an essential resource for legal professionals, policymakers and everyone navigating the future of industry.
The Third Edition of Cornerstone on Social Housing Fraud is now available for subscribers.
This book sets out the options available to local housing authorities and housing associations, primarily by reference to England, in seeking to detect and act upon housing fraud.
It has been written with four particular questions in mind:
The Third Edition includes coverage of:
For ease of reference, relevant primary and secondary legislation has been included within the appendices. These also include templates for: Particulars of Claim (county court), Information (magistrates’ court), Notice to Quit and Notice Seeking Possession. There is also a useful landlord checklist, to ensure nothing has been overlooked during what can be a complex process.
The latest update to the Inheritance Tax Annual is now live for subscribers. This update includes amended commentary regarding variation of IPDI trusts to use the RNRB, and added commentary about wider implications of using the RNRB on first death (para 15.8); reference to Thomas v Revenue and Customs [2025] UKFTT 1537 (TC), in which the need to file a tax return did not prevent income tax refund from forming part of deceased’s IHT estate (para 5.3); and Post-death variations – precatory trusts – Added commentary concerning s 143 IHTA (para 15.28).
Taxation of Corporate Finance by David Southern, is now live for online subscribers. This relaunched commentary (previously titled Taxation of Loan Relationships and Derivative Contracts) gives the reader expert guidance on the tax legislation surrounding corporate finance transactions, which have undergone significant change in the last few years.
The commentary is enhanced by the inclusion of a new section dealing with crypto-assets; a new section on Gilts, including commentary on liability driven investment (LDI); an expanded chapter on Islamic finance, and new chapters covering the company law framework for this area of work; and the legal documentation of debt.
The relevant provisions of Finance Acts 2021 to 2026 are covered, including the changes to the transfer pricing rules from April 2023. New guidance from HMRC and relevant case decisions is also included.
The latest update to our Trusts and Estates annual is now live for subscribers. All commentary and examples have been updated with the new tax year. In addition, commentary has been added to reflect regulations concerning TRS registration of non-UK express trusts effective 30 June 2026 (para 3.10); and a summary of Herrmann v HMRC [2026] UKFTT 715 (TC) considers reallocation of tax payments against later penalties (para 4.13) has been added.
The latest set of Tax Case Summaries are now live for subscribers. This includes the decision in Bryan v Revenue and Customs [2026] UKFTT 743 (TC) where a solicitor’s application for a direction that HMRC issue a closure notice for open tax return enquiries was refused. Also included is Sinclair & Anor v Revenue and Customs [2026] UKFTT 798 (TC) where a grazing agreement did not prevent field being regarded as part of the grounds of a dwelling for SDLT purposes.
The August issue of Bloomsbury Cyber Law Briefing is now available for subscribers.
The June update of Public Children Law is now available for subscribers.
This June 2026 update to the Compendium incorporates eleven new cases from the Senior Courts. One Court of Appeal authority has been removed from the Compendium in light of the subsequent Supreme Court decision in those proceedings, namely Re X and Y (children: adoption order: setting aside) [2026] UKSC 13.
Several authorities have impacted on matters concerning adoption orders in this update. First, the Supreme Court in Re X and Y reiterated the finality of adoption orders by confirming that there is no parens patriae power to revoke a valid adoption order, even in exceptional circumstances. An adoption order is challengeable on appeal in the usual way and, although not granted lightly, there can be extensions of time for appeal (albeit the longer the period since making the order the harder it is likely to be to persuade a court to exercise that discretion). Second, in Re B-A (placement order and contact order) [2026] EWCA Civ 356 the Court of Appeal continued amplifying the modern approach to post-adoption birth family contact by applying to parental contact the previously explained approach regarding sibling contact, articulated in Re R and C and Re S. Third, in Re R (a child: leave to oppose adoption) [2026] EWCA Civ 673 the Court of Appeal took the opportunity to remind Courts that making an adoption order simultaneous to deciding an application for leave to oppose was procedurally irregular.
Highlights from the updating cases in other areas include Re S (foster care or placement for adoption) [2026] EWCA Civ 47, in which the Court of Appeal repeated the core differences between adoption and long-term foster care; Re H (children: expertise of witness) [2026] EWCA Civ 249, in which the former President of the Family Division stated that permission should not be given to instruct an expert psychologist that is not registered with a relevant statutory body or chartered by the BPS; and Re S (care and placement: schedule of findings of fact) [2026] EWCA Civ 85, in which the Court of Appeal emphasised the general practice of requiring a party challenge by cross-examination the evidence of an opposing party they do not accept on a material point.
Subsequent reporting of any previously cited authority in the Family Court Reports has been reflected in the most recent update. The law is stated as of 10 June 2026.
The August issue of Irish Criminal Law Update is now live for subscribers of Irish Criminal Law. This month Laura Byrne BL provides an insightful case analysis of DPP v Jason Bonney. This was an appeal against the conviction of the appellant, who was convicted of participating in the commission of an offence by a criminal organisation, namely the murder of David Byrne, by providing access to a motor vehicle. The appellant maintains that he was not the driver of the relevant vehicle at all material times. The appeal related to the treatment of alibi and rebuttal evidence during the trial. The appeal also centred on the extent to which the appellant was entitled to raise issues not identified at the trial before the Special Criminal Court and the application of the principles identified in The People (DPP) v Cronin (No.2).
The August issue of Bloomsbury Family Law Briefing is now available for subscribers.
Re S-O (Children) (Relocation and Prohibited Steps Order) [2026] EWCA Civ 998 (30 July 2026) – Appeal of the mother (M) of two children by different fathers allowed: (a) the judge’s welfare analysis was not sufficient; and (b) the judge’s decision to continue the PSO was not justified. The PSO was discharged.
Re D (Change of Circumstances: Domestic Abuse Allegations) [2026] EWCA Civ 969 (30 July 2026) – Second appeal ((1) DDJ and (2) CJ in the Family Court) concerning a girl (aged seven). The CAFCASS officer based his recommendation on the assumption that the alleged abuse had occurred. The original DDJ decision transferring D to her mother, and permitting relocation, and the CJ decision affirming set aside, and sent back to the local Family Presiding Judge.
Re B and G (Fact-finding) [2026] EWCA Civ 860, [2026] WLR(D) 385 (9 July 2026) – Judge’s oral judgment given from her notes six weeks after a care hearing. The judge refused permission to appeal. The parents filed notices of appeal. An approved version of the judgment was produced with changes related the grounds of appeal. Held: this was a complex case which required intense judicial scrutiny. The judge did not provide this. Appeal allowed.
Skatteforvaltningen (The Danish Customs and Tax Administration) v MCML Ltd (previously known as ED&F Man Capital Markets Ltd) (1 July 2026) [2026] UKSC 19, [2026] 3 WLR 219, [2026] WLR(D) 349 – Findings of issue estoppel must be contained within narrow limits in disposal of a case; for if held to apply an issue estoppel can seriously inhibit a party’s entitlement to claim (or defend) their rights. Such can only arise from an issue decided by a court where resolution of that issue had been necessary and fundamental to the earlier decision.
Greenstein v Bogolyubov [2026] EWFC 190 (14 July 2026), Peel J – In Bogolyubova v Bogolyubov [2022] EWFC 199 Peel J refused to sanction a consent order based on the parties’ separation agreement of 2017. A chancery judgment against H left him owing jointly and severally with Mr Kolomoisky. With interest and costs, the present sum due is about $3.2 billion. Fresh case management orders defined.
R (Ahmed & Ors) v Entry Clearance Officer (Solicitors' duties: indication of fraud) (IJR) [2026] UKUT 273 (IAC) (10 November 2025), Upper Tribunal Judges Lindsley and Hoffman: where there are ‘red flags’ that suggest the client is seeking to use the solicitor’s services in furtherance of a fraud, the solicitor cannot continue to act without first making enquiries to satisfy themselves that the conduct is not fraudulent. To continue to act would be a breach of their professional obligations.
De Menezes v Alves & Ors [2026] EWHC 1906 (Ch) (24 July 2026), Fancourt J – Of time estimates, and allowance for reading time; and threats as to costs (ie probably wasted costs) if warnings are overlooked.
When can the court hear an ‘academic’ argument?
In common law ‘academic’ means that the outcome of a case – as things have turned out between the partes – cannot alter their respective positions because by the time the case comes on for hearing their particular litigation has been settled. Their case (the lis) has been resolved. Over the 80 years since the main modern case on the subject (ie Sun Life below) developed, the common law has moved gradually to a more nuanced position on dealing with ‘academic’ issues. Such arguments will only arise very occasionally arise; but where a court is dismissive of an application as ‘academic’ a party may pursue their point if any of the aspects below arise – eg in children cases where a question arises which affect a number of care cases.
This article considers the extent to which the subject has developed over the past 40 years especially the extent to which a public law element which may affect a variety of litigants even though a question between the two original parties has been resolved (the family financial case of Bowman v Fels (Bar Council intervening) [2005] EWCA Civ 226, [2005] 1 WLR 3083, [2005] 2 FLR 247 (8 March 2005) is an important case in point).
This approach to the court to resolve an issue of public importance – the equivalent of Civil Procedure Rules 1998, Pt 8 in family proceedings if Family Procedure Rules 2010, Pt 19. Civil Procedure Rules 1998 could be used on a free-standing basis: for example, to review a procedure or a form of practice might arise which is causing difficulties to a number of parties (a European Court of Human Rights 1950 fair trial issue); or if one individual or body (say a large pension fund holder) had a question which frequently cropped up – and was unresolved – in private parties’ proceedings. The point may be academic as between the applicant and another private party, but its resolution might save the court time and a variety of difficulties in the future.
Family Court Reports [2026] Vol 2 Pt 6 is now available for subscribers.
The following cases have been reported in [2026] 2 FCR 6:
A, B and C (Children_ Perpetrator Finding), Re [2026] EWCA Civ 219; 2 FCR 457
H (Children_ Expertise of Witness) [2026] EWCA Civ 249; 2 FCR 511
RA v PK [2025] EWHC 3456 (Fam); 2 FCR 537
Issue 85 of E-Contracts is now available for subscribers.
Issue 95 of Termination of Employment is now available for subscribers.
The July issue of Bloomsbury Company and Commercial Law Briefing is now available for subscribers.
The July issue of Bloomsbury IP/IT Law Briefing is now available for subscribers.
The UK Supreme Court has upheld Tesla’s appeal concerning whether an implementer of a standard can bring proceedings requesting a FRAND declaration if the FRAND offer is made through a patent pool or platform (Tesla, Inc and another v InterDigital Patent Holdings, Inc and others; Tesla, Inc and others v InterDigital Patent Holdings, Inc and another [2026] UKSC 27).
In its judgment in IlliquidX Ltd v Altana Wealth & Ors [2026] EWCA Civ 874, the Court of Appeal upheld a finding of misuse of trade secrets and breach of confidence in a case concerning the ending of a joint venture to trade in distressed Venezuelan debt.
The Court of Appeal dismissed Microsoft’s appeal in a case concerning the sale of second hand computer software and software licences (JJH Enterprises Ltd (t/a ValueLicensing (VL)) v Microsoft Corporation & Ors [2026] EWCA Civ 872).
Following his finding that copyright in certain Peppa Pig videos was infringed, Mr Justice Richards has ordered declaratory and injunctive relief and costs (Hasbro Consumer Products Licensing Ltd & Anor v Cong Ty Tnhh Dau Tu Cong Nghe Va Dich Vu Sconnect Viet Nam (aka SConnect Co Ltd) & Ors (Re Consequentials) [2026] EWHC 1957 (Ch)).
easyGroup has lost a trade mark infringement and passing off case that it brought against the owner of Easy Bathrooms (easyGroup Ltd v Cubico (UK) Ltd (t/a "Easy Bathrooms") [2026] EWHC 1645 (IPEC)).
In his judgment in Fendi Italia SRL & Ors v Rolo Fashion Ltd & Anor [2026] EWHC 1703 (IPEC), His Honour Judge Hacon awarded £213,000 in damages to four luxury goods companies controlled by LVMH after judgment in default had been granted in relation to trade mark infringement by the sale of counterfeits or dupes.
The Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) has clarified questions regarding the interpretation of Article 3(1) of Directive 2001/29/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 May 2001 on the harmonisation of certain aspects of copyright and related rights in the information society (the InfoSoc Directive) in its judgment in Case C-788/24 Anne Frank Fonds v Anne Frank Stichting and Others [ECLI:EU:C:2026:559].
The Court of Appeal of the Unified Patent Court has found that certain Kodak printing plates infringe one of FujiFilm’s European patents and has granted an injunction covering Germany (Fujifilm Corporation v Kodak GmbH and others UPC_CoA_473/2025, UPC_CoA_474/2025, UPC_CoA_873/2025, UPC_CoA_881/2026).
The title Irish Income Tax 2026 is now live for subscribers of Irish Tax. This tax essential, formerly known as Judge, is the leading income tax book for tax practitioners, accountants and tax lawyers. Indispensable in practice, it will help you to apply the relevant legislation with ease and precision.
Irish Income Tax 2026 provides a complete analysis of the principles and practice of income tax in Ireland. It also provides an examination of recent key decisions by the courts in Ireland and in the UK, as well as by the Tax Appeal Commissioners. This new edition is updated to Finance Act 2025, which brought in changes to income tax bands, personal tax credits and the Rent Tax Credit.
This title is included in Bloomsbury Professional's Irish Tax online service.
The title Taxation of Companies 2026 is now live on the Irish Tax Service. This flagship title, also known as Feeney, provides the most comprehensive analysis and commentary available on the taxation of companies in Ireland. Written by Tom Maguire, this new edition is updated to Finance Act 2025. An extremely practical book, it features detailed worked examples and extensive references to case law throughout the work. The guidance and advice outlines how to successfully apply new tax reliefs, keeping your client's tax liabilities as low as possible.
This year's edition covers key developments such as:
This title is included in Bloomsbury Professional's Irish Tax online service.
The July edition of Irish Civil Litigation Update is now available for subscribers of the service. This month, we provide a case analysis of Corcoran & Anor v Permanent TSB Plc & Ors. The court considered a costs application made by lay litigants in an appeal of an interlocutory discovery application in circumstances where the appellant defendants withdrew their appeal shortly before the scheduled hearing date.
An updated version of Research and Development Tax Reliefs is now available for subscribers. It includes the latest extensive Finance Act changes as well as technical case law analysis and updates and linked examples and calculations.
Topics covered in this update include:
The latest update to Personal Tax Planning is now live for subscribers. The commentary and examples have been updated in line with the provisions of Finance Act 2026. In addition, the product now contains 4 new sections as follows:
The latest update to UK Financial Statements: Presentation and Disclosure Requirements is now live for subscribers. This features the following:
The latest update to Partnership Taxation is now live for subscribers. This includes a summary of the Upper Tribunal in Putney Power Ltd v HMRC [2026] UKUT 105 (TC) which considered the test for commencement of trade; and a note to reflect the Court of Appeal decision in Muller UK & Ireland Group LLP and others v HMRC [2026] EWCA Civ 248.
The latest set of example financial statements and disclosure checklists are now live for subscribers. The disclosure checklists reflect changes arising from the FRC's periodic review. The example financial statements take account of recent amendments to UK and Ireland accounting standards.
The Third Edition of The Law Relating to International Banking and Capital Markets is now available for subscribers.
The Law Relating to International Banking and Capital Markets addresses the key legal issues associated with international banking and debt issues in capital markets.
This book provides a detailed analysis of the legal concerns relating to the lending of money, whether by way of:
It also covers choice of law, jurisdiction, sovereign risk, contractual remedies, exchange controls and legal opinions.
The Third Edition has been updated to include the changes following the UK’s departure from the EU, to the methodology for calculating interest rates with LIBOR being replaced by SONIA and EURIBOR with €STR, changes to the securitisation and derivatives markets and the usual gradual evolution of case law and financial regulation in the area as a whole.
This is essential reading for anyone wishing to gain a perspective on these transactions, including banking lawyers, bankers, academics and postgraduate students.
The June issue of Bloomsbury IP/IT Law Briefing is now available for subscribers.
The Court of Appeal of the Unified Patent Court has reversed the first instance finding of infringement in its judgment in Kodak GmbH v Fujifilm Corporation UPC_CoA_312/2025, 333/2025, 880/2025 and 882/2025, finding that, although the patent was valid, there was no infringement in Germany due to a prior user right and none in the UK because the named defendants were not liable for acts carried out in the UK.
The England and Wales Court of Appeal judgment in Rowntree v Performing Right Society Ltd & Anor [2026] EWCA Civ 814 concerned a proposed class action, brought by Dave Rowntree (the drummer of Blur) against the Performing Right Society (PRS). The court upheld a decision granting summary judgment/strike out of the claims.
In his judgment in Warner Bros Discovery Inc & Ors v Nokia Corporation & Anor (Interim Payment Judgment) [2026] EWHC 1505 (Pat), Mr Justice Meade ruled on the interim payment to be made by Warner Bros Discovery and Paramount to Nokia pending the determination of a final licence between the parties.
Mr Justice Mellor’s judgment in Janssen-Cilag Ltd v The United States of America (USA) [2026] EWHC 1532 (Pat) concerned the State Immunity Act 1978 (SIA) and its relevance to patent law. The judge found that service at the address for service on the UK Register constituted service under the SIA.
His Honour Judge Hacon refused to grant an application for summary judgment in Merck Sharp and Dohme (UK) Ltd v Halozyme Inc [2026] EWHC 1287 (Pat). In this case, Halozyme had consented to the revocation of one of its patents (known as EP 622) but Merck sought an order for summary judgment, recording that Halozyme had no real prospect of succeeding on infringement.
Hasbro has been granted summary judgment in a claim regarding sound recording copyright in Peppa Pig videos (Hasbro Consumer Products Licensing Ltd & Anor v Cong Ty Tnhh Dau Tu Cong Nghe Va Dich Vu Sconnect Viet Nam (aka SConnect Co Ltd) & Ors [2026] EWHC 1546 (Ch)).
Miss Recorder Amanda Michaels found trade mark infringement and passing off of the names Vanity Fair and GQ in her judgment in Advance Magazine Publishers Inc & Anor v Cornucopia Entertainment Ltd & Anor [2026] EWHC 1488 (IPEC), in a case where the names were used in offers to sell tickets to exclusive events.
The UK Supreme Court has refused permission to appeal the judgment in Lunak Heavy Industries (UK) Ltd and another v Tyburn Film Productions Limited [2025] EWCA Civ 1643.
Finally, patents judge Meade J has been appointed to the Court of Appeal.
The second edition of Conduct and Accountability in Financial Services is now available for subscribers.
This title provides comprehensive, practical and expert guidance on how best to comply with the Senior Managers & Certification Regime.
The Second Edition has been fully revised to include:
This is a must-read text for all staff in UK financial services firms, professional associations, industry bodies, regulators, academics and advisers to financial services organisations.
The May – June update of Pensions Law Briefing is now available for subscribers.
Issue 85 of Business, the Internet and the Law is now available for subscribers.
The July issue of Bloomsbury Family Law Briefing is now available for subscribers.
R (Aina Khan Law Ltd) v Legal Ombudsman [2026] EWCA Civ 773 (23 June 2026) – Family law specialist solicitor took insufficient cognisance of vulnerable client and held to have overcharged. The Legal Ombudsman’s findings were upheld on appeal to the Court of Appeal.
Re B (A Child) (Interim Separation) [2026] EWCA Civ 748 (17 June 2026) – Interim care order set aside on the mother’s appeal and over the local authority’s objection.
JC v MC (Refusal of Relief from Sanctions) [2026] EWFC 145 (22 June 2026), MacDonald J – Relief from sanctions refused (Family Procedure Rules 2010, r 4.6; and per Denton principles) in respect of a husband’s application to vary a periodical payments order he had consented to. As against case management directions: H’s statement was too long and filed late. Variation application dismissed with costs.
Re AA & BB [2026] EWHC 1359 (Fam) (5 June 2026), Hannah Markham KC as a High Court judge – Hague Convention proceedings: children aged eight and four. Mother on the run from California and now to Manchester. The case is ‘a positive reminder of the working co-operation between the press and the court and the possibility of using all possible avenues, including publishing details in the press to locate children …and to take steps to protect them’.
Re YZ (Declaration of Parentage: BATUK: DNA Evidence) [2026] EWHC 1601 (Fam) (26 June 2026), Poole J – Declaration of parentage of a child born to a Kenyan mother in March 2019 proved to be the child of a serving British soldier.
Beech Hill Capital Ltd v Duplan (aka Duplancic) & Ors [2026] EWHC 1390 (Comm) (10 June 2026), Sharif Shivji KC as a High Court judge – A full statement of the principles governing debarring or conditional orders for non-payment of interim costs orders.
Al-Uzaybi v Home Office [2026] EWHC 1524 (KB), [2026] WLR(D) 338 (19 June 2026), Chamberlain J – Closed material procedure (CMP) where a special advocate was alleged to have used closed documents obtained in earlier proceedings. She required permission of court or party providing documents for such collateral use. Guidance on proper approach to collection of closed material from special advocates (per Justice and Security Act 2013 and Civil Procedure Rules 1998, r 31.22).
Release of court material to a journalist from family proceedings
The article this month derives from the judgment of Poole J in Bradley v CM [2026] EWHC 125 (Fam), [2026] 4 WLR 43 (26 January 2026) where he was dealing with an application from a journalist, Jessica Bradley, that the court release to her three files from Children Act 1989, Pt 2 (private law) proceedings. As a non-party she wanted to see, and perhaps report on, how the family courts in four cases dealt with allegations of parental alienating behaviour (1) to enhance ‘public scrutiny of the way in which the courts decide cases so as to provide public accountability and secure public confidence; and (2) to enable public understanding of the justice system’ [citing from Re HMP [2025] EWCA Civ 824, [2025] WLR(D) 351 (1 July 2025).
Poole J explores ([35]-[58]) the current state of the law, as he sees it, in family proceedings for release of documents to non-parties. Non-parties may include journalists, academics, researchers even duly authorised lawyers (‘legal bloggers’). Legal principle and rules present the reader, including a High Court judge such as Poole J, with a mixture – not by any means always consistent – of substantive law (statute and common law), delegated and sub-delegated legislation (ie practice directions and ‘practice guidances’) and of draft orders provided for by those practice directions which the article seeks to explain.
Family Court Reports [2026] Vol 2 Pt 4 is now available for subscribers.
The following cases have been reported in [2026] 2 FCR 4:
Kars v Brown [2026] EWHC 31 (Fam); 2 FCR 275
S (Care and Placement_ Schedule of Findings of Fact), Re [2026] EWCA Civ 85; 2 FCR 293
SM v BA & Anor (No 3_ Amendments to Statements of Case) [2026] EWFC 9; 2 FCR 316
X v Y [2026] EWHC 42 (Fam); 2 FCR 343
Family Court Reports [2026] Vol 2 Pt 5 is now available for subscribers.
The following cases have been reported in [2026] 2 FCR 5:
Re A, B & C [2026] EWFC 27; 2 FCR 359
DR v ES and Ors (Further LSPO Application) [2026] EWFC 15; 2 FCR 370
Kay v Martineau Johnson (A firm) [2026] EWCA Civ 224; 2 FCR 392
S (Foster Care or Placement for Adoption), Re [2026] EWCA Civ 47; 2 FCR 422
X, Re [2025] EWFC 479 (27 November 2025); 2 FCR 448
The July edition of Irish Employment Law Update is now available for subscribers of the service. This month, we feature the case of Kate Bermingham v Cqzp Limited. This will be of interest to practitioners dealing with cases of constructive dismissal. It demonstrates the importance of fair procedures being adhered to when disciplinary action is taken by employers and when grievances are raised by employees. This case also emphasises that it is incumbent on a complainant to demonstrate their engagement with the respondent’s internal procedures in order to succeed in a complaint of constructive dismissal.
The July edition of Irish Child and Family Law Update is now available for subscribers of the service. This month, Beibhinn McGinley BL provides a case analysis of G.G. v H.I. This was a matter concerning a Decree of Divorce and ancillary reliefs were ordered by the court on foot of a settlement between the parties on 16 December 2022. The application was before the court due to non-compliance with court orders. Judge Jackson considered that the outset that it would be naïve not recognise that difficulties can and do arise post settlement. It was acknowledged by the applicant, that the concerns that are borne out of the within breaches were at the lower end of the scale in terms of their value. Judge Jackson stated that these orders cannot be ‘sliced and diced’ to suit the performer in whatever way they deem fit. She considered the terms of settlement and made rulings accordingly. It will be of interest to practitioners navigated enforcement of settlement terms.
The latest update to Tax Planning for Fam and Land Diversification is now live for subscribers. This update includes new commentary on the importance of valuations of IHT assets following the change to the value of assets where relief can be claimed from April 2026.
Commentary has also been revised to reflect the recent change in BADR rates.
New commentary has also been added to reflect the tribunal ruling in Afsha Chugtai v Revenue and Customs [2025] UKFTT 00458 (TC) which illustrates the complexity of the law dealing with gifts with reservation of benefit.
An updated version of Miller, Hardy and Ismail on Company Reorganisations (formerly titled Taxation of Company Reorganisations) is now live for subscribers.
The commentary is up to date with the latest HMRC guidance and the provisions of Finance Act 2026. It includes a new section on the multi-national top-up tax and domestic top-up tax provisions as they apply to reorganisations.
It also reflects a number of important case decisions including M Group Holdings (UT): substantial shareholding exemptions; Blackrock (UTT), Oxford Instruments (FTT), and Kwik Fit Group Ltd (UT): unallowable purpose test; and Delinian (formerly Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC) (CA) and Wilkinson (FTT): Anti-avoidance on exchange of shares.
The latest set of Tax Case Summaries are now live for subscribers. This includes the decision in Professional Game Match Officials Ltd & Anor v Revenue and Customs [2026] UKFTT 654 (TC) where individual match engagements between PGMOL and referees were not contracts of employment but contracts for services. Also included is Philip McBean v HMRC [2026] UKFTT 799 (TC), which was an appeal against the decision of HMRC to register the Appellant for VAT from 1 October 2013 to 27 July 2020 and to issue a penalty for failure to notify HMRC of his liability in the sum of £9,236.80.
Fair Play: Fighting to Protect the Spirit of Sport – The Memoirs of a Sports Lawyer is now available for subscribers.
A sports governing body owes a duty to its athletes and fans alike to ensure that the playing field is level and the outcome is determined solely by the athletes’ natural talents, skill and effort, and not by confounding factors such as performance-enhancing drugs or equipment, or insuperable natural advantages in age, sex, or weight.
Jonathan Taylor KC, with his unparalleled experience in the field over the past 28 years, in particular as lead advocate on some of the most prominent and important sports law cases ever fought, provides a detailed insider account of those cases as a means of illustrating the practical, ethical and legal issues confronted by regulators who are seeking to protect what makes sport such a unique and compelling spectacle.
Jonathan has a range of stories to tell that give us a fascinating insight into what is really involved in fighting for the integrity of sport. These include prosecuting the spot-fixing case against the Pakistani cricketers in 2010, helping the sports movement respond to the state-sponsored doping scheme in Russia from 2011 to 2014, policing the boundaries of male and female competition categories in the Caster Semenya case in 2019, and litigating whether double amputee Blake Leeper had an unfair performance advantage over able-bodied athletes.
The June issue of Bloomsbury Cyber Law Briefing is now available for subscribers.
The June issue of 5 from 5 Essex Court – Employment Law Bulletin is now available for subscribers.
A Rights-Based Inter-Legal Approach to Artificial Intelligence is now available for subscribers to the Cyber Law service.
How can European public law effectively address the profound rights challenges posed by AI systems?
This groundbreaking book delves into this pressing question by critically analysing the limitations of current regulatory frameworks, including the Artificial Intelligence Act, the General Data Protection Regulation, and European human rights law. Drawing on leading judgments from the European Court of Human Rights and the Court of Justice of the European Union, the book explores real-world case studies of AI systems employed by public authorities, highlighting their impact on fundamental rights.
Arguing that the EU's risk-based regulation approach falls short in protecting fundamental and human rights, the author introduces a compelling alternative: a rights-based inter-legal approach grounded in the theory of inter-legality. This innovative framework emphasises the ’publicness‘ and ’inter-systemic‘ nature of AI, advocating for a lifecycle perspective – from design to deployment and beyond.
Rich with legal insights and practical methodology, this book presents a three-step adjudication model to integrate the inter-legal approach into European legal practice, paving the way for a more robust protection of fundamental principles, rules and rights in the AI era. Essential reading for scholars, policymakers and practitioners, this work redefines how Europe can lead the charge in responsible AI regulation.
The Fifth Edition of Social Work Law in Scotland is now available for subscribers.
Social Work Law in Scotland provides a practical guide to the legal framework within which social work operates. The book provides coverage of key areas of law in social work including those relating to children, families and adult services.
The Fifth Edition of this highly regarded text covers important recent developments including:
Students studying for a degree in social work, as well as those in the profession, will benefit from this up to date guide.
The June issue of Bloomsbury Family Law Briefing is now available for subscribers.
Case Summaries
Re M (A Child: Adoption: Duty of Disclosure) [2026] EWCA Civ 568 (11 May 2026) – Local authority appeal, where adopters had failed to disclose information relevant to the original order. The adoption order was set aside and as was the adoption application and the placement order reverted to the status quo ante.
Ahmed v The Secretary of State for the Home Department [2026] EWCA Civ 509 (28 April 2026) – A father’s appeal against an Upper Tribunal decision dismissing a First-tier Tribunal (FTT) decision after of F’s unsuccessful appeal of the Home Office decision. F had also applied in the Family Court concerning his daughter. The FTT were entitled to reject his appeal given his lack of commitment to his child.
Ferrara v Ferrara [2026] EWCA Civ 512, [2026] WLR(D) 275 (29 April 2026) – A husband (H) failed to prove that Italy was the more appropriate forum for the parties’ divorce. Stay refused, W’s divorce to proceed in UK. H’s appeal dismissed.
MJS Projects (March) Ltd v RPS Consulting Services Ltd [2026] EWHC 884 (TCC) (15 April 2026), HHJ Kelly as a High Court judge – Costs order made where a claimant failed to take part in alternative dispute resolution.
SL v SM [2026] EWFC 109 (12 May 2026), Trowell J – Anonymisation ordered ‘[60] I do not consider that it would be a good use of judicial time to provide for an argument and then a reasoned decision on anonymisation…’.
Blackpool Borough Council v RR & Ors [2026] EWHC 1100 (Fam) (14 May 2026), MacDonald J – Child anonymised, but no one else including the mother named. The fact of the mother’s HIV status was to be open.
Kanabar v Kanabar [2026] EWCA Civ (15 May 2026) – A husband’s appeal (for which he had had permission) died with him, and the district judge’s original order reinstated.
Coal Pension Properties Ltd v Mace Living Lt & Ors [2026] EWHC 1248 (TCC) (26 May 2026), Roger ter Haar KC as a High Court judge – Consideration of alternative service of documents (same as for family proceedings) under CPR 1998, r 6.15 and grounds for refusing an order explained.
Appeal in family proceedings without a party appellant
E v D [2025] EWFC 512(B) is nominally an ‘appeal’ though without an appellant known to the law or to Family Procedure Rules 2010 (FPR 2010). It is a circuit judge’s decision, so not citable (Practice Direction of 9 April 2001 (Citation of Authorities) [2001] 1 WLR 1001, [2001] Fam Law 794 para 6.2). It is analysed here since it exposes a number of significant errors which justify its discussion
The judge tells the reader that the appeal was by a children’s guardian (‘the guardian’) from a child arrangements order of District Judge Gray (‘DJ’). The order had a penal notice attached which it was thought by the district judge to mandate steps by the children’s guardian.
The judge defines the ‘parties’ positions as that ‘[8] The guardian obviously (sic) brings the appeal and pursues it. The mother supports it. The father neither opposes nor supports the appeal.’
The following question arise from this. The article suggests the relevance of each:
The May issue of Bloomsbury Cyber Law Briefing is now available for subscribers.
The May issue of Bloomsbury IP/IT Law Briefing is now available for subscribers.
In Acer Incorporated & Anor v Nokia Technologies OY [2026] EWCA Civ 564, the Court of Appeal reversed the High Court finding and granted Nokia a case management stay subject to certain conditions. Nokia requested the stay after it made an offer to license its patents on terms subject to adjustment by the decision of an arbitral tribunal.
Lifestyle Equities CV & Anor v Frasers Group Trading Ltd (formerly called Sportsdirect.com Retail Ltd) & Ors [2026] EWCA Civ 583 concerned the ability of the proprietor of a registered trade mark to recover losses suffered by licensees of the trade mark, in the absence of an application being made to register those licences. The claim for damages suffered by sub-licensees was dismissed.
The Court of Appeal has upheld a ruling that Google’s use of Shorts on its YouTube platform did not infringe several figurative trade marks comprising the word SHORTS and that a word mark for SHORTSTV was invalid (Shorts International Ltd (SIL) v Google LLC [2026] EWCA Civ 668).
In Bargain Busting Ltd (BBL) v Shenzhen SKE Technology Co. Ltd (SKE) [2026] EWCA Civ 532, the Court of Appeal reversed a decision to grant an interim injunction restraining BBL from making further threats for trade mark infringement. Meanwhile, following his ruling disposing of contempt proceedings, in Bargain Busting Ltd v Shenzhen SKE Technology Company Ltd & Ors (Re Consequential Matters) [2026] EWHC 1146 (Ch), His Honour Judge Paul Matthews ruled that BBL must pay SKE’s costs on the indemnity basis.
In Samsung Electronics Co Ltd & Anor v ZTE Corporation & Ors [2026] EWHC 999 (Pat), Mr Justice Meade ruled that Samsung should pay ZTE $392 million for a fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) licence.
Mr Justice Mellor found that a patent for an aircraft ejection seat with moveable headrest was valid and not infringed, based on his construction of the claims (AMI Industries, Inc v Martin-Baker Aircraft Company Limited [2026] EWHC 1027 (Pat)).
The first website blocking order in relation to four websites offering counterfeit and unlicensed medicinal products was granted by Mellor J in Novo Nordisk A/S & Anor v British Telecommunications PLC & Ors [2026] EWHC 1094 (Ch).
In the latest, and possibly final, ruling in the litigation over the use of the word Merck, Master McQuail has substantially granted an order sought by Merck that documents disclosed in the proceedings should remain confidential and/or be destroyed (Merck KGaA v Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC & Ors [2026] EWHC 1113 (Ch)).
Following the decision to order Suinno to provide security for costs to Microsoft in the amount of €600,000, the Court of Appeal of the Unified Patent Court has given a decision by default against the Finnish company (Suinno Mobile & AI Technologies Licensing Oy v Microsoft Corporation UPC_CoA_21/2026).
Finally, the UPC has published its Annual Report and the Patent Mediation and Arbitration Centre has opened.
The Peaceful Settlement of Inter-State Cyber Disputes is now available for subscribers to the Cyber Law service.
With cyberspace becoming a domain of inter-state conflict and confrontation, this book is one of the first studies of the ways in which international law can facilitate the peaceful settlement of inter-state cyber disputes.
By employing theoretical and practical inquiries and analysis, the book examines the legal parameters of cyber dispute settlement; explores critical questions about the role of dispute settlement institutions and methods; and identifies and addresses related challenges.
The book begins by considering the legal definition of a cyber dispute and the scope of the good faith obligation of states in settling their cyber disputes peacefully. It then examines the role of certain institutions (International Court of Justice, national courts, the EU, the Security Council) and methods (judicial, diplomatic, countermeasures, arbitration, conciliation, fact-finding) in the settlement of cyber disputes. It also discusses how data disputes can be settled and whether new and specialised mechanisms are needed.
The book provides scholars, practitioners and law students with immediate knowledge and understanding of the role of international law in the peaceful settlement of cyber disputes, as well as how international dispute settlement as a discipline and practice can apply to this new field.
Family Court Reports [2026] Vol 2 Pt 2 is now available for subscribers.
The following cases have been reported in [2026] 2 FCR 2:
Awolowo v Awolowo [2026] EWFC 31; 2 FCR 99
Awolowo v Awolowo and Linkserve Ventures Transnational Ltd [2025] EWHC 3346 (Fam); 2 FCR 117
R v R [2025] EWHC 3180 (Fam); 2 FCR 138
S (A Child) (Disclosure to SSHD), Re [2025] EWFC 453; 2 FCR 156
Spencer v Spencer [2025] EWFC 431; 2 FCR 169
Family Court Reports [2026] Vol 2 Pt 3 is now available for subscribers.
The following cases have been reported in [2026] 2 FCR 3:
F v M [2026] EWHC 44 (Fam); 2 FCR 183
LM (A Child) (Interim Welfare Arrangements) [2025] EWHC 3243 (Fam); 2 FCR 200
MK v SK [2026] EWFC 28; 2 FCR 214
R (Children: Setting aside Hague return order) (No. 2) Re [2026] EWCA Civ 18; 2 FCR 242
Y (Experts and Alienating Behaviour: The Modern Approach), Re [2026] EWFC 38; 2 FCR 245
Vol 31, No 2 of Communications Law is now available for subscribers.
Vol 42, No 2 of Journal of Professional Negligence is now available for subscribers.
Vol 40, No 2 of Journal of Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Law is now available for subscribers.
The latest set of Tax Case Summaries are now live for subscribers. This includes the decision in Wilders v Revenue and Customs [2026] UKFTT 517 (TC) where the share loss relief claim following the company’s failed shipwreck recovery attempt was unsuccessful. Also included is The Personal Representatives of Mukesh Sehgal & Anor v Revenue and Customs [2026] UKFTT 516 (TC) where loan notes were not registered in Jersey on their redemption, such that a capital gains tax liability arose for the taxpayers.
The latest update to the International Tax and Investment Service is now live for subscribers. This update contains revisions to the following sections:
The latest update to Group Accounts under UK GAAP is now live for subscribers.
This update includes the following:
The UK Tax Legislation content set has now been updated in line with the provisions of Finance Act 2026.
The June update of Planning and Administration of Offshore and Onshore Trusts is now live for subscribers. Issue 92 contains a general update of the following chapters - A6: Global Information Exchange and Transparency, AA1: Taking on a Trust – The Trustee’s Perspective, AA2: Administrative Responsibilities of Trustees, AA3: Practical Administration, AA7: Protectors, B4: France, B9: Malaysia, B11: New Zealand, B13: South Africa, D5: Cyprus, and D10: Isle of Man.
The title Arthur Cox Employment Law Yearbook 2025 is now available for subscribers of Irish Employment Law [please hyperlink]. This is the fifteenth in a series of publications written by various subject matter experts at Arthur Cox LLP. Set out in alphabetical format for ease of use, the Yearbook covers developments during 2025 in employment law, equality, industrial relations, pensions, taxation relating to employment and data protection law.
The book contains case notes, commentary and discussion on:
This is an essential book for lawyers specialising in employment law and other relevant areas, as well as HR professionals, in-house counsel, managers and trade union officials. Students studying employment law will also benefit from this invaluable, up-to-date resource.
A previous edition of this book was the 2015 winner of the Practical Law Book of the Year at the Dublin Solicitors' Bar Association Awards.
This title is included in Bloomsbury Professional's Irish Employment Law online service.
The May edition of Irish Criminal Law Update is now available. In this month’s edition, Laura Byrne BL provides a case analysis of DPP v GH. The appellant pleaded guilty to 15 sample counts of indecent assault committed against his younger siblings about 40 years after the offences were committed. The sentencing judge imposed a sentence of eight years’ imprisonment. This sentence was appealed on several grounds, including the headlines imposed, the failure to afford sufficient weight to the mitigating factors and the failure to take account of the principles of proportionality and totality. The Court of Appeal focused on the principles of totality and proportionality in circumstances where the court was imposing consecutive sentences. The detailed and particular approach of the Court of Appeal in structuring the sentence should assist practitioners when preparing pleas in mitigation that address the aggravating and mitigating factors and the principles of totality and proportionality in structuring such sentences.
In the June issue of Irish Criminal Law Update, Laura Byrne BL provides an insightful analysis of DPP v BM . The Court of Appeal considered whether expressions of opinion on evidence by prosecuting counsel in their closing submission to the jury were appropriate, and whether the judge erred in refusing to the discharge the jury on that basis. The Court of Appeal also questioned the impact of a number of interruptions made by prosecuting counsel during the course of defence cross-examination. The Court of Appeal’s comments on the interruptions made by prosecuting counsel are also helpful in considering the appropriateness of such interruptions and the different reasons for the interruptions.
The May edition of Irish Property Law Update is now available for subscribers of Irish Property Law. This month features updates on the following areas:
The Irish Property Law Update is updated monthly and is a comprehensive service for those practitioners practising in property law overseeing the latest developments in the area.
The June edition of Irish Property Law Update> is now available for subscribers of Irish Property Law. This month features updates on the following areas:
The Irish Property Law Update is updated monthly and is a comprehensive service for those practitioners practising in property law overseeing the latest developments in the area.
The June issue of Irish Employment Law Update is now available for subscribers of Irish Employment Law. This month Colleen Brownlee BL provides an interesting case analysis of John Grennan v Capita Customer Solutions. The complainant, a Customer Service Advisor, commenced employment with the respondent in February 2023. The complainant was provided with a basic contract and job description in line with >s 3 (1A) (h)(i) & (ii) of the Terms of Employment (Information) Act 1994, which included a flexibility clause allowing for changes to his duties. The complainant initially performed standard customer service tasks such as handling calls and emails, meeting performance targets, and resolving customer issues. In or about April 2025, the complainant was assigned to the respondent’s ‘Escalation Unit’ where his role changed. This involved the complainant dealing with a larger range of ad-hoc projects which included training colleagues, training third-party specialists who were not employees and preparing reviews of third-party contractors. Whilst the complainant considered that this was part of the flexibility expected of him, he submitted that the additional duties were not encompassed within his original job description and that the respondent did not provide him with an updated job description reflecting these changes when he was assigned a new position. The case will be of use to practitioners where job titles change and there is a subsequent employment law claim. The adjudication in this case provides helpful guidance on the interpretation of the provisions of the Terms of Employment (Information) Act 1994 relating to an employer’s obligations to notify their employees of any change to the terms of their employment, particularly where such terms fundamentally differ to those contained in the original terms.
The Irish Civil Litigation Update for June is now available. This month Hugh Good BL provides a case analysis of Bank of Ireland Mortgage Bank U.C. -V- Murray & Anor. There the court considered an application by the defendants to set aside a judgment of the Court of Appeal in circumstances where, immediately prior to the hearing of the appeal in the Supreme Court, the plaintiff had agreed to transfer its interest in a judgment obtained in the High Court against the defendants. The fact of this agreement was not disclosed to the defendants or the court prior to the hearing in the Supreme Court.
The June issue of Irish Child and Family Law Update is now available for subscribers of Irish Child and Family Law is now available for subscribers. This month, Aengus Ó Maoláin BL writes about the developments in the law surrounding Guardian Ad Litems. He writes that The Child Care (Amendment) Act 2022 represents a major overhaul of the system by which Guardians ad litem are appointed, trained, and how their work is overseen. The Executive Office of the Guardian ad litem National Service (GALNS) was established in 2025, and it is anticipated that other operative provisions of the 2022 Act will be commenced this summer. While there have been calls for the simplification and regularisation of the appointment of GALs in private family law proceedings, the 2022 Act and the GALNS is focused on public childcare proceedings. While GALs face a profound change to their day-to-day work by virtue of the new Office going live, fears have arisen as to their status in the proceedings in which they are appointed. A recent judgment of Simons J in an application for cost protection, however, sets out a significant account of the role, function and purpose of a guardian ad litem in childcare litigation. The article will be of immense use to practitioners dealing with childcare cases involving GALs.
