Shvidler v Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs & Dalston Projects Ltd & Ors v Secretary of State for Transport [2025] UKSC 30

Shvidler and Dalston Projects each appealed UK sanctions decisions made under the 2019 Russia (Sanctions) Regulations. Shvidler, a UK citizen, with links to Abramovich, challenged his asset freeze. Dalston, an SPV registered owner of the yacht Phi  (beneficially owned by a Russian businessman) challenged her detention in under a Regulation allowing the Secretary of State to direct the movement of a ship owned, controlled, or chartered by a designated person. The Supreme Court dismissed both appeals, holding the interferences were proportionate. It confirmed appellate courts must make a fresh proportionality assessment. In the otherwise unanimous Judgment, Lord Leggatt dissented as to Shvidler’s asset freeze, finding it oppressive, “Orwellian” and lacking a rational link to the sanctions’ aims.

Read the full judgment here.