United Kingdom: International Law

The English Court of Appeal has ruled that a state's ratification of the New York Convention does not constitute a waiver of sovereign immunity in enforcement proceedings. Does this decision create obstacles for investors seeking to enforce arbitral awards against states, and what strategies should parties employ when contracting with state entities?

The UPC Court of Appeal has provided detailed guidance on long-arm jurisdiction and referred critical questions to the CJEU regarding anchor defendants. This analysis examines recent cases including Genevant...

The Court of Appeal has ruled that ratifying the New York Convention does not waive a state's sovereign immunity in enforcement proceedings, creating a significant distinction from ICSID Convention protections. This decision clarifies the complex interaction between international arbitration treaties and state immunity rules, with important implications for investors seeking to enforce arbitral awards against sovereign states. The judgment contrasts sharply with recent Supreme Court precedent on ICSID award

In this post we bring you a round-up of recent developments relating to the enforcement of UK trade sanctions breaches, together with news of further Russia-related designations

For decades, discussions surrounding international trade barriers have centred primarily on tariffs. Import duties, customs procedures, and trade disputes have traditionally represented the most visible obstacles facing businesses operating between nations. However, as global trade enters a new phase, Italian exporters are now encountering a different set of challenges which often have a greater impact on competitiveness than tariffs themselves.

ESMA has published its 2025 Report on Quality and Use of Data (“Report”), the 6th edition of its annual review across the regulatory reporting regimes within ESMA’s remit.

The UK government has introduced significant changes to its sanctions framework, including new powers to target criminal networks, expanded enforcement capabilities...

The UK's HMRC has published comprehensive enforcement statistics covering 2025 and early 2026, revealing the scope and outcomes of sanctions enforcement activities including criminal investigations, goods seizures, and penalty assessments. The data provides insight into how authorities are handling sanctions violations through various enforcement mechanisms, from warning letters to compound penalties exceeding £1 million.

A UK court dismissed sanctions charges against art gallery Hauser & Wirth and logistics company Artay Rauchweger, ruling that prosecutors failed to prove the buyer of luxury artwork was "ordinarily resident" in Russia at the time of sale. The judge determined that evidence of continuing connection to Russia was insufficient to meet the statutory test for ordinary residence under UK sanctions regulations.