On 21 November, the UK government published the Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Bill, the stated aim of which is to “allow the UK to set and collect its own duty on goods coming into the country and will allow the government to implement different outcomes of the EU negotiations, including an implementation period”. The government announcement … Continue Reading
On 17 November, the House of Lords Select Committee published its report on the UK Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Bill, wherein it expressed concerns, for example, in respect of the bill’s three-yearly review provisions, which it is not convinced are acceptable. The Lords also questioned the absence of an individual’s right to be told that … Continue Reading
In November, the UK passed the Venezuela (European Union Financial Sanctions) Regulations 2017. The regulations follow the EU’s recent sanctions on Venezuela as part of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/2063. They cover offences, penalties and other provisions, such as reporting obligations. On 15 November, the UK Department for International Trade published a notice to exporters (Notice … Continue Reading
The UK’s Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation, part of HM Treasury, renewed the final designations of “Popular Front For The Liberation Of Palestine – General Command” and “Popular Front For The Liberation Of Palestine”, with effect from Friday 1 December 2017. These entities, therefore, continue to be subject to financial sanctions imposed by the Terrorist … Continue Reading
Due to the UK Serious Fraud Office’s (SFO) ongoing investigation into Unaoil, in a press release dated 28 April 2017, the SFO confirms, “it has opened an investigation into the activities of KBR, Inc’s United Kingdom subsidiaries, their officers, employees and agents for suspected offences of bribery and corruption”. KBR, Inc. is a US based … Continue Reading
The House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee published a report on the UK’s relations with Russia, which examines sanctions on Russia. The report highlights that “recent developments in both the EU and the US have put the future of the sanctions regime in doubt”. It goes on to add that “as the UK is among the … Continue Reading
In a parliamentary debate on Eastern Ukraine, UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson announced that the UK will be introducing a bill “on how we will continue to take part in sanctions jointly with our friends and partners across the channel”. Boris Johnson also stated that the UK “already leads the way in imposing sanctions on … Continue Reading
On 5 April 2017, the ECO revoked the following OGELs, including: Exports of military goods, software and technology (new OGEL for Military Goods, Software and Technology) Exports under the US-UK Defence Trade Co-operation treaty (new OGEL for Exports under the US-UK Defence Trade Cooperation Treaty) Exports of military goods, software or technology to a government … Continue Reading
Following the coming into force of Part 8 of the Policing and Crime Act 2017, which introduces new monetary penalties for breaches of financial sanctions, OFSI has published guidance on the new regime, including: Guidance on monetary penalties for breaches of financial sanctions A response to OFSI’s consultation on the process for imposing monetary penalties … Continue Reading
On 21 April, the UK government launched a public consultation on its proposals for domestic sanctions legislation. The consultation sets out the UK government’s thinking on the overarching legal powers the UK will need to impose its own domestic sanctions once the UK leaves the EU. The consultation is scheduled to run for nine weeks … Continue Reading
The new Policing and Crime Act 2017 (the Act), which comes into force in April 2017, provides HM Treasury with enforcement powers to punish breaches of financial sanctions. Under the Policing and Crime Act 2017, HM Treasury has the power to impose monetary penalties if it is satisfied that a person acted in breach of … Continue Reading
By judgment of 24 January 2017, the UK Supreme Court has dismissed the government’s appeal against the Divisional Court’s judgment in R (on the application of Miller & Dos Santos) v Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union. The court has held that parliamentary authority in the form of an Act of Parliament is required for the government … Continue Reading
On Friday, 20 January, businessman Donald J. Trump was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States of America. At the inauguration ceremony, President Trump stated: From this moment on, it’s going to be America First. Every decision on trade, on taxes, on immigration, on foreign affairs, will be made to benefit American … Continue Reading
