High Court judgment on sanctions designation by family association 

The High Court (Saini J) has ruled that the provisions of the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 which allow for the designation of an individual solely on the basis of their family ties are lawful and proportionate. In the first case of its kind, Ismailov v Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs [2026] EWHC 1188 (Admin) challenged the ‘family designation scheme’, by which a person can find themselves under draconian sanctions purely by accident of birth. The Claimant, designated because he is the nephew of Uzbek-Russian businessman Alisher Usmanov, contended that the family designation scheme, introduced by secondary legislation in July 2022, was itself unlawful and that his own designation under the scheme was disproportionate. The High Court rejected his claim, holding that the designation of the family members of other sanctioned individuals “makes an important contribution to the overall cumulative impact of sanctions and enhances pressure on Russia in respect of its actions in Ukraine”.

Hugo Keith KC and Rachel Scott KC acted for the Claimant, instructed by Gherson LLP.

You can read the judgment here and press reporting about the case here: BBC, The Independent 

19th May 2026