Hague Judgments Convention Scheduled to Begin UK Enforcement July 2025

Several major international legal and regulatory developments are shaping the business and legal landscapes in 2025. A global bank expanding its mobile retail banking services to the U.S. must navigate complex regulations including the Dodd-Frank Act and consumer protection laws, balancing user experience with compliance demands (Article 1). The UK will implement the Hague Judgments Convention on July 1, 2025, streamlining the recognition and enforcement of civil and commercial judgments across contracting states, enhancing cross-border dispute resolution, though with some limitations (Article 2). U.S. companies operating in Europe face new compliance challenges under the EU's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), requiring extensive environmental, social, and governance disclosures validated by third parties, with a particular focus on workforce inclusion and diversity standards (Article 3). Additionally, the European Central Bank stresses the importance of upholding rule of law standards to promote economic stability and strengthen the euro's global role (Article 4). Meanwhile, in Ukraine, the National Bar Association has criticized the government's approval of a bar reform roadmap without proper consultation, arguing it violates international principles on lawyer independence and professional regulation (Article 5).