Worldwide: International Law

Two UK arms dealers, David Greenhalgh and Christos Farmakis, received 16-year prison sentences for illegally supplying prohibited military equipment to sanctioned destinations including Libya, Sudan, and South Sudan. The UK judiciary published detailed sentencing remarks outlining the court's reasoning, aggravating factors, and the unprecedented nature of these export control violations spanning seven years.

The Crown Court has provided crucial guidance on when luxury goods are considered "made available" under UK Russia sanctions, examining the intersection of high-value goods transactions, logistics arrangements and customer due diligence. This landmark case involving an art gallery and logistics company offers important clarification on compliance obligations for businesses dealing in luxury goods and the meaning of "ordinarily resident" in the sanctions context.

The United Kingdom's accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership creates streamlined pathways for UK professionals to obtain work permits in Canada. This development expands opportunities beyond the existing Canada-United Kingdom Trade Continuity Agreement, offering direct employer-employee arrangements and covering a broader range of high-skill occupations with reduced experience requirements.