Civil Liberties Legislation

Laws and regulations protecting individual rights, freedoms, and civil liberties, including privacy rights, freedom of expression, and anti-discrimination measures.

The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 (Commencement No. 6, 8 and 9 and Saving Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations 2026

Published: Tue 24th Mar 26

These Regulations, made by the Secretary of State for Justice, amend existing commencement orders related to the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, specifically extending the pilot commencement dates for provisions under Part 3 of the Act in England and Wales until 24th November 2026.

They revise the sunset clauses in the 2024 and 2025 commencement regulations, ensuring that the piloted provisions remain in force in specified areas past the previously scheduled end date of 31st March 2026.

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The Online Safety Act 2023 (Priority Offences) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

These Regulations amend Schedule 7 of the Online Safety Act 2023 by designating specific criminal acts as 'priority offences,' which imposes specific duties on online service providers to tackle content related to these crimes.

Specifically, the Regulations introduce an offence concerning encouraging or assisting serious self-harm and update provisions regarding offences under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 related to sharing intimate images, having been approved by Parliament and extending across the UK. The legal instrument also revokes the previous related amendment regulations from 2024.

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The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 (Commencement No. 2 and Transitional Provisions) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2025

These Regulations, made by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland using powers under the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023, formally amend a previous commencement regulation (S.I. 2024/584).

Specifically, they extend the transitional deadline for investigating bodies to prepare or complete investigation reports or take subsequent actions from October 31, 2025, to April 30, 2026.

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The Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019 and the Terrorism Act 2000 (Port Examination Codes of Practice) Regulations 2025

These regulations implement revised codes of practice for examining officers under the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019 and the Terrorism Act 2000.

The Secretary of State revised the codes, published drafts for consultation, considered feedback, and laid the final versions before Parliament.

The updated codes govern the exercise of powers at UK ports and the Northern Ireland border related to combating terrorism and hostile state activity, aiming for better clarity, training, and adherence to legal frameworks.

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The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (Commencement No. 2) Regulations 2025

These regulations, enacted under the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, bring into force section 124 on September 30, 2025.

This section amends the Online Safety Act 2023, requiring providers of certain regulated online services to retain information related to child death investigations.

The regulations are the second set issued under the 2025 Act, and an impact assessment referencing a prior assessment was published on the UK Government website.

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The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (Commencement No. 3 and Transitional and Saving Provisions) Regulations 2025

These regulations set commencement dates for parts of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, amending the Data Protection Act 2018.

Sections 79 and 88 (legal professional privilege and national security exemptions) come into force immediately, while sections 89 and 90 (joint processing by intelligence and authorities) commence on November 17, 2025.

Transitional provisions protect data subjects' rights previously established under the 2018 Act until the 2025 Act changes come into effect.

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The Online Safety Super-Complaints (Eligibility and Procedural Matters) Regulations 2025

These regulations, effective December 31, 2025, govern the submission of super-complaints regarding online safety to OFCOM under the Online Safety Act 2023.

They define eligibility criteria for entities submitting complaints, specifying requirements for supporting evidence and the information to be included in the complaints.

The regulations also outline grounds for rejecting complaints, procedures for OFCOM's response, and restrictions on complaint submissions.

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The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (Commencement No. 1) Regulations 2025

The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (Commencement No. 1) Regulations 2025 bring into force various sections of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, effective August 20, 2025.

These sections cover aspects such as access to customer and business data, amendments to the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018, the establishment of the Information Commission, and provisions related to online safety, eIDAS regulations, copyright, and AI. The regulations specify which subsections of each section come into force, and their geographical extent across the UK.

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