General Licence for Insurance Payments under UK Sanctions Regimes

OFSI issued General Licence INT/2022/2009156 permitting designated persons under UK Autonomous Sanctions Regimes to make insurance payments to UK insurers and brokers for building, engineering, terrorism, property liability, and claims preparation insurance. UK insurers may make claim payments and refunds to UK Designated Persons. The licence was amended on 15 December 2023 to add motor insurance, include insurance brokers, expand the UK DP definition to include owned/controlled entities, and permit persons acting on behalf of UK DPs to make permitted payments.

UK Sanctions Insurance Payments General Licence

OFSI issued General Licence INT/2022/2009156 permitting specific insurance-related payments that would otherwise breach UK Autonomous Sanctions Regulations. The licence authorises UK insurers, insurance brokers, and regulated financial institutions to process premiums, claims, and refunds involving designated persons for specified insurance products covering UK properties and motor vehicles.

General Licence allowing sanctioned UK persons to pay utility bills

OFSI published notice regarding General Licence INT/2022/2300292 allowing UK designated persons subject to asset freezes to make permitted utility payments for gas and electricity from frozen UK bank accounts. The General Licence, originally issued November 2022, has been amended multiple times to expand permissions, most recently February 2024 to include additional permitted payment categories for gas and electricity meters.

General Licence Permitting Utility Payments by UK Designated Persons

OFSI issued General Licence INT/2022/2300292 permitting UK Designated Persons (sanctioned individuals and entities) to make utility payments for gas and electricity from frozen UK bank accounts. The licence also allows Energy Companies to receive such payments and process return payments to frozen accounts, subject to quarterly reporting requirements to HM Treasury.

OFSI General Licence - Russia Sanctions Bond Restructuring

OFSI issued General Licence INT/2023/2824812 under the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 to permit bond restructuring and amendments for non-Designated Persons. The licence allows Issuers and UK Persons to effect bond restructurings provided no funds reach Designated Persons and any amounts owed to sanctioned parties remain frozen. The licence was extended on 28 March 2025.

Bond Restructuring Licence for Non-Designated Persons

OFSI issued General Licence INT/2023/2824812 permitting bond restructurings and amendments where Designated Persons hold bonds, provided no funds reach designated parties and any frozen assets remain blocked. UK issuers and Relevant Institutions may process qualifying bond transactions under this licence, subject to reporting requirements to HM Treasury within 14 days of completion.

Water fittings ICT solution tender

Northern Ireland Water Ltd published a tender notice for a replacement ICT solution to support statutory Water Fittings Inspection services under the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009. The estimated contract value is £720,000 excluding VAT over an initial 5-year term with potential extensions up to 8 years. Bidders must provide a cloud-based SaaS solution to manage risk-based inspection strategies for water fittings compliance.

OFAC Document Submission Standards for Sanctions Compliance

OFAC issued Production Submission Standards providing best practices for submitting documents during sanctions investigations. The guidance covers organizing submissions, electronic document conventions, file structure, Bates numbering, and technical specifications for files over and under 150 megabytes. These standards apply primarily to administrative subpoena responses, requests for information, and disclosures containing voluminous documentation.

Steel Concrete Reinforcing Bar from Algeria Injury Determination

The USITC determined that the U.S. steel concrete reinforcing bar industry is materially injured by reason of imports from Algeria sold at less than fair value. Chair Amy A. Karpel and Commissioners Jason E. Kearns and David S. Johanson voted affirmatively. As a result, the Department of Commerce will issue an antidumping duty order on these imports.

Andi Gjoci v. Department of State - Diversity Visa Program

The D.C. Circuit affirmed the district court's dismissal of claims brought by selectees and beneficiaries of the FY2021 Diversity Immigrant Visa Program who challenged the State Department's administration of their visa applications during COVID-19 processing delays. The court upheld dismissal on mootness and standing grounds, incorporating prior circuit precedent that district courts lack authority to order the State Department to continue processing diversity visas beyond fiscal year deadlines.