September 4, 2025
Shvidler v Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs; Dalston Projects Ltd v Secretary of State for Transport [2025] UKSC 30 (29 July 2025)
Appellants, designated under the UK's Russia sanctions regime due to links with Roman Abramovich, challenged the meaning of 'control'. The Supreme Court dismissed their appeals, affirming a broad, reality-based interpretation of control and the government's wide discretion in such matters. Facts This case concerned two conjoined appeals against designations made under the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The first appellant, Mr Eugene Shvidler, a UK/US national and business associate of Roman Abramovich, was designated, resulting in the freezing of his assets, including two private aircraft. The second appellant, Dalston Projects Ltd, a UK company
