United Kingdom: International Trade & Investment

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The UK's e-bike trade remedy review demonstrates how economic modelling can balance domestic industry protection against broader public interest. Through partial-equilibrium analysis, the UK Trade Remedies Authority quantified the costs and benefits of different remedial options, ultimately recommending modified measures that protected UK producers in specific segments while minimizing consumer impact.

Irwin Mitchell provides comprehensive legal news, expert commentary, and industry insights across key sectors. The firm's latest Leading Litigator Report reveals that 69% of General Counsels now view litigation as either an operational necessity or strategic investment, examining how in-house legal teams are navigating alternative funding, AI adoption, and geopolitical influences while managing risk and controlling costs.

Whether you're a rights holder trying to protect your pricing and distribution networks from parallel imports and the second-hand market, or a business that resells, repackages or parallel imports genuine third-party goods, you need to understand IP exhaustion.

The Lloyd's Market Association has introduced a new model clause for marine hull underwriters addressing transit fee demands in the Strait of Hormuz, fundamentally shifting how insurers approach coverage when payments are made to facilitate passage through Iranian territorial waters. This development transforms underwriting focus from navigation risk to sanctions control risk, with significant implications for both insurers and vessel operators navigating these geopolitically sensitive waters.

Welcome to BCL’s latest sanctions round-up, highlighting the key developments in UK and international sanctions

This weekly update examines recent developments in UK sanctions policy, including amendments to general licences for Prince Group insolvency activities and Lukoil International operations, as well as new joint guidance from OFSI and OFAC comparing UK and US sanctions frameworks. The briefing also covers parliamentary research on legal mechanisms for enforcing sanctions against shadow fleet vessels in UK waters.

As the UK navigates its post-Brexit relationship with the EU, a critical question emerges: should Britain align with EU digital regulations or forge its own path? With the EU's digital rulebook facing criticism for overregulation and stifling innovation, while the UK lacks influence over rules its companies must still follow, policymakers face complex choices about convergence, divergence, and new international partnerships in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

From July 2026, vans over 2.5 tonnes operating internationally will need Smart Tachograph Version 2 equipment and must comply with EU drivers' hours rules. Will your business be affected by these new requirements, and what steps should you take now to ensure compliance and avoid enforcement action at borders?