The year in education: Looking back and looking ahead
As schools, colleges and academy trusts prepare for the start of the new academic year, we reflect on the last 12 months and consider what lies ahead for the education sector. The coming years are expected to bring one of the most significant periods of policy reform in recent memory. In November 2025, the Department …
Climate clauses in real estate: why they matter more than ever
Across the property industry, climate and ESG ambitions should no longer be considered as optional. Inefficient, high-carbon buildings are becoming harder to let, insure and finance; there is increasing investor pressure, and organisations are publicly committing to doing better. Real estate is particularly exposed to the risks of climate change. Leases, funding agreements and construction …
Webinar | Charity closures: a practical and supportive conversation for leaders | 8 October 2026
Charity Commission figures show planned closures (“voluntary removals” from the register) rose by 36% last year, a sign of the turbulent waters charities are navigating: strained business models, waning volunteers, rising costs and more. Yet many leaders tell Bates Wells they don’t feel equipped for the anticipation, planning or delivery of closure. Some arrive at …
Breaking down cookies: a guide
One of the main practical changes introduced by the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (the “DUAA”) relates to cookies and similar technologies (which we refer to collectively in this blog as “cookies”). With this in mind, we wanted to take the opportunity to demystify the rules around cookies under UK data protection law, and …
Subscription regime set for January 2027
On 09 August, the Prime Minister announced a series of ‘everyday fixes’ to alleviate household costs in the UK. One of these was a commitment to end subscription traps as soon as possible. Last year, we ran several webinars on a new subscription regime introduced by the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Act 2024 (‘DMCC’) …
AI Impact: How should purpose-driven businesses consider the impact of their AI usage?
We regularly bring together people from across the impact space, including investors, B Corps, social enterprises, foundations and ecosystem support organisations, to discuss key themes of purpose-beyond-profit. At a recent roundtable, we explored how purpose-driven businesses can understand the risks and impacts of AI, and how in-house legal teams can develop strategies to support responsible …
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