It is good to hear that UK banks are apparently no longer shifting liability, but this case, and others, show that banks were shifting liability until it was irrefutably demonstrated that the system was not as secure as they claimed. 'Liability shift' is not a term invented by conspiracy theorists: banks were explicit about this being a primary goal of EMV, so it does not require a leap of faith to accept that it happened. Sadly, neither is a leap of faith required in accepting that the banks' first response to evidence of weaknesses was to deny their exploitability.

Does your statement about UK banks no longer shifting liability apply in cases of fraud against merchants?

They only refund credit card transactions if suspected with fraudulent. Debit card transactions are held and investigated. I've had a card ripped and lost £500 permanently because the bank decided I had made the transaction. I had to small claims them to get it back. I have seen at least three other people lose against the bank.