Felicity Aris

Kids Company judicial review – winners or losers?

Philip Kirkpatrick reflects on the recent High Court decision on the judicial review case brought against the Charity Commission in relation to its 2022 inquiry report into Kids Company. Many people will have thought that the Kids Company case was all over long ago. Well, it is now, following a recent High Court judgment in …
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Membership bodies – is your governance fit for purpose?

Like all organisations, professional membership bodies and learned societies should regularly review their governance and governing documents to make sure they are up to date and fit for purpose. Some of the key things to think about are: Purposes – are the purposes of your organisation still suitable? You will want to consider whether they …
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Purpose & Impact: your roundup

Welcome to your roundup – a monthly selection of news hand-picked to keep you up to date with what’s going on for businesses wanting to create positive impact. In this roundup you can find out what’s new in the B Corp, social enterprise, and impact investing spaces, amongst others, collated under helpful headings. We’ll also …
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A safer life online for children: Ofcom’s call to action

If your organisation hosts online forums or other communities where users can interact online, you may need to take action under Ofcom’s new codes on child safety. Charities advocating for online safety for children and women will also be interested in the implications of these codes, as well as Ofcom’s current consultation on protecting women …
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Setting up in the UK – support for US non-profits

At Bates Wells, we work with a wide range of international organisations, to support you in navigating the English landscape for charities and non-profits. In the face of increasing concerns about the regulatory landscape in the US, we are working with a number of clients to explore their options for maintaining resilience and mitigating risk …
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Webinar | Charities & the use of social media: the blurring of personal and professional lives | 17 June 2025

Navigating the use of social media remains a challenging topic for many charities. Managed properly, a charity’s own social media channel can be a powerful force for engagement with the public. However, the position can become more complicated when it comes to the use of individual social media accounts and the accompanying blurring of professional …
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Webinar | Membership masterclass – dealing with internal elections | 18 June 2025

Are you a charity or non-profit with a wider membership, or a professional membership body? Join Mark Abbott, Senior Associate and Parliamentary Agent in our Charity and Social Enterprise team, and Helen Fry, Senior Associate in our Public & Regulatory team, for a one-hour webinar on how to manage your internal elections. We will cover: …
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A new approach to enforcement? Ofqual consults on its Taking Regulatory Action policy

On 20 February 2025, Ofqual opened a consultation on updates to its enforcement policy, “Taking Regulatory Action”, which it proposes to rename “Supporting Compliance and Taking Regulatory Action”. The consultation will close on 15 May 2025. This refresh of Ofqual’s enforcement policy has been long awaited by awarding organisations (“AOs”). Since the existing policy was …
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The Procurement Act 2023: new regime goes live

The Procurement Act 2023 is now in force. Explore our Procurement teams’ top takeaways on the Government’s strategic priorities following publication of the new National Procurement Policy Statement. On 13 February 2025, the Cabinet Office published the long-awaited National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS), reinvigorating a focus on public bodies using procurement to achieve public benefit. …
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The Charities Act 2022, explained: revisiting the key changes to the rules relating to charity land

Now that the majority of the changes to the rules on disposals of charity land introduced by the Charities Act 2022 have been implemented on a phased basis, we revisit the various key amendments which could save charities time and money when disposing of property. What do you need to know? Part 7 of the …
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New data protection law will make it easier for charities to fundraise

It isn’t often that new data protection law actually makes it easier to do things. But that is the case with the Data (Use and Access) Bill (“the Bill“) which is currently making its way through Parliament. What’s changing? The legislation makes it easier for charities to contact existing supporters by e-mail and text message …
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How does the VAT fundraising exemption apply to your charity’s events?

On 9 January 2025 the Upper Tribunal released its decision in the Yorkshire Agricultural Society case [2025] UKUT 00004 (TCC). The outcome of this case clarifies the application of the VAT fundraising exemption for charities. The Tribunal concluded that fundraising events, even when intertwined with furthering the charity’s primary objectives, can benefit from VAT exemption. …
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