United Kingdom: Terrorism, Homeland Security & Defence

MI5 has issued an urgent alert identifying over 100 UK academics who unknowingly contributed to Chinese state security research through the China General Technology Research Institute. Universities now face potential criminal liability under the National Security Act 2023 and export control regulations if they fail to conduct proper due diligence on research collaborations. In-house legal teams must immediately review existing partnerships and implement robust screening systems to identify high-risk foreign

The Security Industry Authority has published a significant update on the implementation of Martyn's Law, providing crucial details on compliance templates, scope assessments, and the forthcoming notification portal. With the legislation expected to come into force in spring 2027, organisations must now turn their attention from understanding the requirements to preparing for practical compliance and regulatory oversight.

The UK Ministry of Defence has announced a series of strategic initiatives placing space at the heart of its defence, security and economic growth agenda, backed by £7.8 billion in funding until 2030. These developments include the launch of the UK's first dedicated military space squadron, a comprehensive national space strategy, and significant investment in novel technologies and regional space clusters. What opportunities will these announcements create for businesses, particularly SMEs, in the rap

Christopher Nolan's latest film, The Odyssey, raises an intriguing question: could the legendary Trojan Horse have been patented under modern UK or European patent law? This analysis explores the technical and legal challenges of protecting military inventions, from novelty requirements and publication restrictions to the tension between disclosure obligations and strategic secrecy.

On 14 July 2026, the UK Cabinet Office published the fifth Annual Report on the National Security and Investment Act 2021 (NSI Act) (the Report). The Report provides summary information and statistics relating to the review of transactions and investments on national security grounds in the UK during the period 1 April 2025 – 31 March 2026.

The UK Government's £298bn Defence Investment Plan signals major reforms to defence procurement, promising simplified acquisition routes and stronger industry partnerships. As the legal framework evolves through the Procurement Act 2023 and planned reforms to Single Source Contract Regulations, businesses face both unprecedented opportunities and complex compliance challenges in one of the most strategically important periods for UK defence in a generation.

Geopolitical volatility is reshaping corporate risk as shifting alliances, trade tensions and national security priorities force organizations to navigate increasingly complex cross-border operations.

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, known as Martyn's Law, will impose new security obligations on UK venues and events with capacity over 200 people. What specific duties will premises owners, occupiers...

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2024, commonly known as Martyn's Law, introduces new security requirements for qualifying premises and events across the UK.