AI, litigants in person and the rise of 'legal spam': AI is driving a rise in unmeritorious litigant-in-person claims, creating 'legal spam'. While aiding access to justice, it increases flawed litigation, requiring early challenge, fair handling, and tools like civil restraint orders to control abuse. View >
Call for evidence launched on strengthening CO2 supply chain resilience: The Department for Business and Trade and DEFRA are seeking to inform development of measures to improve the resilience, security, and sustainability of the UK’s supply of food and medical grade CO2. The consultation seeks views on how to:
- Strengthen the long-term resilience and reliability of the UK’s CO₂ supply, particularly for uses within CNI sectors, where disruption could affect critical industries.
- Consider the role of more sustainable sources of CO₂ that are less reliant on fossil fuels, alongside novel solutions, and substitution options, where this is feasible.
- Understand how to achieve a more transparent and functional market, with better outcomes for consumers.
- Minimise transitional costs and impacts on businesses as we seek to move towards a more resilient UK supply.
Responses are required by 20 August View >
Trading Standards Officers to be granted powers to close shops for up to 12 months: In a move welcomed by Trading Standards and convenience store operators the Home Office has announced its intention under the Crime and Policing Act to double the maximum duration in England and Wales of closure orders to twelve months in order to give investigators more time to gather evidence, pursue prosecutions and identify the criminal bosses directing activity from behind the scenes, while also preventing rogue operators from simply reopening and resuming illegal activity. View > Association of Convenience Stores > Chartered Trading Standards Institute >
Guidance issued on those most at risk of foodborne illness: Food Standards Scotland has published an update to help clarify which population groups are more likely to become ill and experience more severe symptoms from food poisoning and resources to raise awareness of safe food preparation practices. View >
Further exemptions emerge as details of deposit return scheme evolve: Exchange For Change has agreed an extension of the exemption criteria with regulators in all three nations, allowing for retailers with a sales area of between 100m² and 199m² in urban settings and rural retailers with less than 200m² of sales area to apply for a size-based exemption. Further exemption allowances have also been agreed on the basis of proximity, heritage or listed building restrictions, site access or lack of access to utilities. Association of Convenience Stores > Exchange for change >
