UK steps up sanctions penalties with raft of fines and enforcement actions
The UK’s financial sanctions enforcement landscape has seen significant developments in recent weeks, as the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) takes a more proactive approach to compliance monitoring and enforcement. With increasing scrutiny on financial and non-financial entities alike, the latest actions signal that the UK government is strongly committed to ensuring strict adherence […]
UK publishes new modern slavery guidance as government plans crackdown
Almost ten years since the Modern Slavery Act was passed into UK law, the Home Office has now published updated statutory guidance for organisations across the UK. This comes amidst a new inquiry into the nation’s framework for addressing forced labour in international supply chains. As the House of Lords warned that the UK has […]
Sanctions and money laundering for letting agents: new changes in force from May 2025
From 14 May 2025, significant changes to financial sanctions and anti-money laundering (AML) regulations will come into effect, directly impacting letting agents, landlords, and self-managing landlords across the UK. These new requirements mandate financial sanctions checks on both landlords and tenants, with severe penalties, including substantial fines and up to seven years’ imprisonment, for non-compliance. […]
Astute LXP March 2025 update: Enhancing performance and user experience
The latest Astute LXP update (V3.3.1) introduces key improvements to performance and user experience. Our focus this month has been on improving system performance, refining user experience, and expanding integration capabilities. Here’s what’s new in the March 2025 release. Enhancements Learner Deactivation Control Organisations using a learner user sync can now prevent learners from […]
Trump Administration targets UK & global law firms over diversity initiatives
The Trump Administration has escalated its attacks on diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, targeting 20 major law firms, including prominent London-based practices. Among those affected are A&O Shearman, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, and Hogan Lovells, which now find themselves in the crosshairs of sweeping federal scrutiny. This comes amidst the crackdown on corporate DEI announced […]
Tax avoidance vs tax evasion – What is the difference?
Ever since the Panama Papers exposed the underground nexus of global tax evasion, regulators have been trying to figure out how to get ahead of it. The UK Criminal Finances Act, passed in 2017, attempts to shift the responsibility for criminal tax evasion to business. The offence of failing to prevent facilitation of tax […]
Across the world, penalties for sanctions violations are increasing
As global instability has increased from Russia to Iran, the resulting sanctions response has often been swift and intense. Throughout the invasion of Ukraine, countries worldwide have implemented rapid and swift sanctions on businesses and individuals alike. Governments are leveraging economic sanctions as a key tool for exerting pressure on foreign entities, enforcing compliance, and […]
VinciWorks launches essential compliance training, reimagined for financial services
A little over two months in 2025, the global financial landscape is already undergoing significant shifts. From President Trump announcing a 180-day suspension of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act to the FCA hinting at a major overhaul of the Senior Managers and Certification Regime, many financial firms are feeling the pressure to stay ahead of […]
What are the differences between neurodata and health data under the Data (Use and Access) Bill?
The Data (Use and Access) Bill (DUAB) introduces significant changes to the UK’s data protection framework, including the recognition of neurodata as a sensitive category of personal data. While data protection laws have long covered health data under the special category data provisions of UK GDPR, neurodata is a relatively new concept that raises important […]
What do businesses need to know about the Data (Use and Access) Bill? Understanding the UK’s changes to GDPR
The Data (Use and Access) Bill (DUAB) represents a significant update to the UK’s data protection and privacy framework, carrying over many elements from the previous government’s Data Protection and Digital Information Bill. The bill introduces new lawful bases for data processing, broadens access to data for public bodies, relaxes certain privacy restrictions, and modernises […]
