Stay updated on major legal developments shaping law, rights, and corporate responsibilities.
Stay updated on major legal developments shaping law, rights, and corporate responsibilities.
2 min read
1. Department for Business and Trade v Information Commissioner
- Court: UK Supreme Court
- Date: 23 July 2025
- Issue: Whether public interest factors under multiple FOIA exemptions can be aggregated in one balancing test.
- Decision: The Court ruled they can be aggregated, clarifying how public authorities apply Freedom of Information Act exemptions.
2. For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers
- Court: UK Supreme Court
- Date: 16 April 2025
- Issue: Interpretation of “man” and “woman” under the Equality Act 2010.
- Decision: The Court upheld that gender recognition under the Gender Recognition Act 2004 applies within the Equality Act framework.
3. Corporate Liability for Employee Fraud
- Law: Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023
- Effective: 1 September 2025
- Key Change: Large organisations (250+ employees, £36m+ revenue, or £18m+ assets) are criminally liable for failing to prevent fraud by staff, agents, or subsidiaries.
- Impact: Unlimited fines possible without proof of director involvement. Companies must show strong anti-fraud controls.
🔗 Large firms liable under new law for failing to prevent fraud
4. Wikimedia Foundation Challenge to the Online Safety Act
- Court: High Court of Justice
- Date: 11 August 2025 (judgment)
- Issue: Whether the OSA Categorisation Regulations unfairly affect Wikipedia.
- Decision: Challenge dismissed, but the Court stressed Ofcom and the UK Government must safeguard Wikipedia’s role as a public resource.
📊 Quick Reference Table
| Case / Development | Jurisdiction | Date | Key Issue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dept for Business & Trade v ICO | UK Supreme Court | 23 Jul 2025 | FOIA public interest balancing |
| For Women Scotland Ltd v Scottish Ministers | UK Supreme Court | 16 Apr 2025 | Equality Act gender definitions |
| Corporate Liability for Fraud | UK Law | 1 Sep 2025 | Failure to prevent fraud offence |
| Wikimedia v OSA Regulations | UK High Court | 11 Aug 2025 | Freedom of expression / regulation |