Property (Digital Assets etc) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 31 of 2024–25

There are two types of property in established case law: things in possession (usually tangible objects) and things in action (like debts or the right to sue). Digital assets do not fall neatly into either category. While the law has been flexible in practice in considering them property, this Law Commission bill aims to remove uncertainty by legally establishing a third type of property. This is intended to provide more clarity in cases involving digital assets, including settlements, divorces, or disputed ownership.

Property (Digital Assets etc) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 31 of 2024–25
  • Research Briefing

    Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 38 of 2024–25

    The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) Bill [HL] would abolish the IfATE and transfer its functions to the secretary of state. The government has said the bill is a necessary condition for delivering on its 2024 manifesto commitment to establish Skills England as a vehicle for driving growth and opportunity. Skills England is a new arms’ length body of the Department for Education, currently in shadow form.

  • Research Briefing

    Environmental Targets (Public Authorities) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 15(Rev) of 2024–25

    The Environmental Targets (Public Authorities) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill which would create a new requirement for public bodies specified in the bill to contribute towards meeting environmental targets established under the Climate Change Act 2008 and the Environment Act 2021. This would include requirements to contribute towards the UK’s target to meet net zero greenhouse gas emissions, improve the UK’s biodiversity and reduce pollution and waste.

  • Research Briefing

    Water (Special Measures) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 17 of 2024–25

    The Water (Special Measures) Bill [HL] is a government bill that would give regulators new powers to regulate the way private water companies operate in England and Wales. This includes the introduction of new penalties for water companies and the power to block executive bonuses. The bill would also make changes to the special administration regime for water companies to ensure the government and regulators were notified ahead of any winding up petitions.

  • Research Briefing

    Education (Values of British Citizenship) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 12 of 2024–25

    Schools are currently required to actively promote British values. These values were taken from the 2011 Prevent strategy. The Education (Values of British Citizenship) Bill [HL] would require any statement relating to British values for education purposes, made by public authorities in England and Wales, to include certain values, some of which are different from those currently set out.

  • Research Briefing

    Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill: HL Bill 21 of 2024–25

    Bringing passenger railway services into public ownership was a commitment in the Labour Party’s manifesto ahead of the 2024 general election. The Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill would implement this policy. It would remove the existing presumption that passenger railway service contracts are awarded to private companies. Instead, it would require the government to award contracts to publicly owned companies when existing ones expire.

  • Research Briefing

    Product Regulation and Metrology Bill [HL]: HL Bill 18 of 2024–25

    The Product Regulation and Metrology Bill [HL] contains measures seeking to update the UK’s product safety, regulation and metrology framework. The government says the bill aims to ensure the UK is better placed to address modern day safety issues, respond to opportunities that deliver economic growth and to deliver a level playing field for businesses operating online or on the high street.

  • Research Briefing

    Budget Responsibility Bill: HL Bill 24 of 2024–25

    The Budget Responsibility Bill would require ministers to request an assessment from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) for every major fiscal announcement and give the OBR the power to decide to publish one if the minister failed to request it. This follows the September 2022 ‘mini-budget’. The statement included plans that would have resulted in a projected £45bn reduction in tax income. It did not have an accompanying OBR assessment.

  • Research Briefing

    Lithium-ion Battery Safety Bill [HL]: HL Bill 8 of 2024–25

    Lithium-ion batteries are the most popular type of rechargeable battery and are used in a wide range of electrical devices worldwide. The Lithium-ion Battery Safety Bill [HL] would provide for regulations concerning the safe storage, use and disposal of such batteries in the UK. The bill is a private member’s bill sponsored by Lord Redesdale (Liberal Democrat). The House of Lords is scheduled to debate the bill at second reading on 6 September 2024.

  • Research Briefing

    Holocaust Memorial Bill: HL Bill 4 of 2024–25

    The Holocaust Memorial Bill is due to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 4 September 2024. This bill seeks to make provision for expenditure on the construction and operation of a Holocaust memorial and learning centre. It would also remove restrictions on building these in Victoria Tower Gardens, next to Parliament. It is a government bill, introduced under the previous Conservative government and continued by the newly elected Labour government. The bill is a hybrid bill, meaning it applies generally but also has a particular effect on specific groups, people or places. This entails additional stages for the bill. The bill is made up of two substantive clauses. It would extend to England and Wales, and apply to England. It would come into force two months after receiving royal assent.

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