Welcome to Find Me A Solicitor: The Legal Brief – February 2026, your monthly digest of the most significant legal developments across the UK. Each edition highlights the latest changes in legislation, policy and regulation, providing clear insight into what they mean for individuals, businesses and legal practitioners.
February 2026 has delivered a series of significant legal developments reshaping the UK’s regulatory and litigation landscape. From the Information Commissioner’s Office intensifying scrutiny of AI systems to the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom confirming the patentability of advanced AI technologies, regulators and courts alike have signaled a decisive shift toward modernised risk governance.
Meanwhile, the Court of Appeal of England and Wales have clarified principles of procedural fairness in Khan v Secretary of State for the Home Department, and the expanding corporate exposure under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 continues to elevate fraud prevention obligations for large organisations.
For law firms and business leaders, these developments underscore a clear message: compliance, accountability, and strategic risk management remain firmly at the forefront of 2026’s legal agenda.
As a leading legal connection platform, Find Me A Solicitor is committed to helping firms and businesses stay ahead of regulatory change by providing curated updates, access to specialist practitioners, and insights into emerging areas of risk.
1.Final Submissions Heard in High-Profile CILEX Litigation Appeal – Mazur v Charles Russell Speechlys LLP
The Court of Appeal has finished hearing the CILEX / conduct of litigation appeal, with Sir Geoffrey Vos, the Master of the Rolls, reserving judgment and giving no indication of when it will be handed down. After three days of argument, he remarked that the case was “very interesting”.
Much of the final day was dominated by scrutiny of regulators and their guidance. Nick Bacon KC, acting for CILEX, sharply criticised both the SRA and the Law Society, accusing the latter of “complete confusion” and questioning its neutrality in the Baxter case. He argued that people should be presumed to be doing their jobs properly and described omissions in SRA guidance as “almost an embarrassment”. Vos jokingly asked whether CILEX’s agreement with some of the respondents’ arguments extended to paying their costs. “I wouldn’t go that far,” Bacon replied.
The most striking submissions came from Jerome Stuart, a litigant in person and aeronautical engineer, who delivered a powerful critique of the legal profession and regulators. He argued that the public and unrepresented defendants had been forgotten, and that “conducting litigation” should be given its plain meaning: both employer and employee must be authorised to protect consumers. He said Parliament intended a high level of public protection and that allowing unauthorised people to conduct litigation undermines that purpose.
Julia Mazur, the original claimant, also made confident and articulate submissions. She stressed that litigants in person need the protections of the Legal Services Act, particularly when facing opponents making incorrect or unexplained statements. She criticised the SRA for wrongly assuring her that her opponent—who had been indefinitely suspended—was authorised to conduct litigation, describing this as a “gross failure of regulation”. She noted that the case was never about a legal executive, but about an ex-solicitor acting unlawfully. Mazur argued that CILEX should bear her appeal costs.
Regulators faced tough questioning throughout. The SRA, represented by Tom Lowenthal, accepted that unauthorised staff can assist with litigation but not supervise or decide how it is conducted. Vos probed the practicality of this, pointing out that in some business models unauthorised staff handle large caseloads. Lowenthal said issues might ultimately depend on good-faith reasoning, though Vos noted this would be a “risky” approach for firms.
The Legal Services Board maintained a similar line to the SRA and Law Society: staff may assist but not conduct litigation. Vos expressed some frustration at overly technical arguments, comparing them to debating “how many angels can stand on the point of a needle”.
Throughout the day, the central question remained whether unauthorised individuals can lawfully carry on the conduct of litigation, or only assist under supervision. The Law Society—through Richard Coleman KC—argued firmly that authorised individuals must “direct and control” litigation, and that delegation of the reserved activity itself is impermissible.
By the close, the court praised the bravery and clarity of both Mazur and Stuart. Judgment is now awaited. Expected in April 2026.
2. AI & Data Protection Enforcement: Regulatory Scrutiny Intensifies
Regulatory attention on artificial intelligence sharpened considerably in February, as the Information Commissioner’s Office reaffirmed its intention to treat AI deployment as a core enforcement priority for 2026.
The ICO formally opened an investigation into X’s AI system, Grok, amid concerns relating to potential unlawful processing of personal data, scraping of online information, and the generation of harmful or inadequately safeguarded outputs. The investigation underscores the regulator’s focus on lawful bases for AI-driven processing, transparency in automated decision-making, and data protection impact assessments for high-risk systems.
For businesses deploying generative or machine-learning tools, the message is increasingly clear: AI innovation will be assessed through UK GDPR principles, with scrutiny directed at data minimisation, bias risk, and explainability. Organisations unable to evidence structured governance frameworks and board-level oversight may find themselves exposed to significant regulatory and reputational risk.
Find Me A Solicitor offers tailored guidance connecting companies with experienced data protection and AI regulatory lawyers, helping organisations proactively navigate this complex landscape.
- AI Patentability Confirmed: UK Supreme Court Signals a “Seismic Shift”
In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom in Emotional Perception AI Ltd v Comptroller-General of Patents clarified that advanced AI systems, including artificial neural networks, can constitute patentable subject matter under the Patents Act 1977.
The ruling overturns previous restrictive approaches and aligns UK law more closely with the European Patent Office’s G1/19 framework. Commentators have described the judgment as a “seismic shift” in UK patent law, with implications extending beyond AI to software innovation more broadly.
For businesses and their advisers, the commercial ramifications are considerable. Patent practitioners have noted that the ruling may significantly enhance the UK’s attractiveness as a jurisdiction for AI research and development. Jonathan Ball, partner at Norton Rose Fulbright, described the decision as “a major boost for AI innovators.”
Through Find Me A Solicitor, companies can connect with specialist IP and technology law experts who are best placed to advise on AI patent strategies, risk mitigation, and IP portfolio development.
- Procedural Fairness in Court of Appeal: Khan v SSHD
In Khan v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2026] EWCA Civ 148, the Court of Appeal clarified that guidance notes on vulnerable appellants do not create standalone legal obligations. The Court emphasised material procedural fairness as the key focus, providing clarity for public law, immigration, and human rights practitioners.
For law firms, this judgment reinforces the importance of contextual fairness and careful case management. Find Me A Solicitor assists firms in connecting with specialist public law counsel to navigate complex procedural landscapes and protect client interests effectively.
- The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is introducing a new “law firm profiler” to help staff identify early warning signs of potentially risky or failing law firms.
The move comes after high-profile collapses such as Axiom Ince, SSB Law and PM Law.
Under chief executive Sarah Rapson, the SRA is shifting from a reactive enforcement approach to proactive risk monitoring. The profiler will give staff a single-page view of key data on the 9,000 firms the regulator oversees, including firm size, specialisms, complaints, and publicly available financial information. Previously, financial monitoring was limited, but the SRA now aims to spot warning signs before problems escalate.
Rapson told the Gazette:
“If you wait until you are investigating or enforcing you are probably too late… People want to see a more proactive regulator looking for indicators of potential harm earlier.”
The SRA has already enhanced decision-making in its triage team, with updated guidance, training, and quality assurance, ensuring the right cases are investigated. Staff are also being trained in best practice for supporting vulnerable consumers.
The initiative is partly financially driven, as earlier intervention could reduce the strain on the compensation fund, which is expected to be heavily impacted by PM Law’s collapse. Rapson acknowledged the SRA is “stretched too thin,” prompting a re-evaluation of priorities, including how cases involving alleged abusive litigation, such as SLAPPs, are handled.
“We have lost some cases in the tribunal and courts recently and we need to reflect as to whether we are in the right place… We will still run cases, but in a proportionate way,” Rapson said.
Legal Support and Finding the Right Advice
The pace of change across criminal justice, corporate regulation, technology and civil liberties shows just how quickly UK law is evolving. Whether you are a business adapting to new regulatory demands or an individual affected by recent legislation, securing the right legal guidance is essential.
Find Me A Solicitor connects individuals and organisations with qualified solicitors across England and Wales, ensuring each enquiry is matched with specialists in the relevant area of law. From criminal defence and public law to corporate and regulatory matters, the service makes it easier to access trusted legal support when it is needed most.
Summary
Strategic Legal Awareness for 2026:
February 2026 demonstrates a clear pattern: innovation and regulatory change are moving faster than ever, and businesses must respond with robust governance, procedural diligence, and proactive legal strategy.
From AI and patent law to corporate criminal liability, litigation funding, procedural fairness, and ESG enforcement, organisations that anticipate regulatory priorities and align internal procedures are better positioned to leverage opportunities while mitigating risk.
Find Me A Solicitor remains committed to connecting clients and law firms alike with the right expertise across all areas of UK law, ensuring that clients can navigate emerging risks and maximise opportunities in 2026.