Felicity Aris

An evolving regulatory landscape: key events and updates in AI

With generative artificial intelligence (“AI”) foundation models and products becoming more understood, utilised and actively implemented across sectors, and following the UK’s entry into the first binding international treaty governing the safe use of AI, we set out the events that are shaping the regulatory landscape as AI technology rapidly advances. We look more specifically …
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Employers’ guide to eVisas – all you need to know

As the UK government continues to phase out physical immigration documents in favour of digital eVisas, it’s important that employers are aware of what the changes mean and how it impacts right to work checks. What’s changing? By 2025, almost all migrants in the UK will have to use a digital record to evidence their …
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Transition to a fully digital system – changes to guidance on eVisas and BRPs

On 6 August 2024 the guidance for eVisas changed to state that anyone with a BRP can now create a UKVI account to access an eVisa. The system previously in place encouraged people to only create a UKVI account if they were invited. According to the guidance, it is planned that people will be able …
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Legal Update: The Office for Students requires higher education providers to improve protection from harassment and sexual misconduct

On 31 July 2024, the Office for Students (the “OfS”) published a new ongoing condition of registration (the “New Condition”) for higher education providers (“HEPs”), aimed at protecting students from harassment and sexual misconduct. The New Condition will apply from 1 August 2025, except for a ban on non-disclosure agreements covering allegations of harassment and …
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Search and imaging orders: changes on the horizon

A new model form search and imaging order is expected to be introduced in the coming months. Experienced Supervising Solicitors Rob Oakley and Alex de Jongh look at how imaging orders work in practice, and consider what the future may hold. Counterfeit goods, fake passports, precious metals, weapons and illegal drugs: some of the more …
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Watch again | Balancing responsibility & innovation – How can we develop and implement ethical AI? | 4 July

A recent explosion in innovation has meant AI has become more popular and powerful. AI and automated decision-making, especially in the context of work and people, carries substantial risks and has the potential for unfairness and discrimination. This is particularly true where decision-making processes lack transparency and fairness. We hosted a panel discussion on Thursday …
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Strategic litigation: driving change and positive impact – July 2024 roundup

Welcome to our strategic litigation roundup, a place for us to share information with you about key updates and insights in the area of strategic litigation. Our litigation and public & regulatory teams have been keeping on top of developments in this space and continue to explore ways to challenge norms through litigation and policy …
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Investigations and disclosure of sensitive communications

Investigations often take place where there is an allegation of wrongdoing. They are a crucial process, enabling organisations to establish facts, identify problems, and determine how best to proceed. Carrying out a thorough and fair investigation can enhance an organisation’s credibility and lead to the introduction of new and improved arrangements to help prevent incidents …
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Election campaigning: when the political is personal

“I don’t have to win”, Maurice Saatchi supposedly once said, “I just have to make you lose”. In political advertising, this attitude shows no sign of going out of fashion. Ads attacking political parties and their leaders are commonplace, and in the heat of battle the pleas of the Committee on Standards in Public Life …
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Lessons learned from the judgment on the Michaela School’s “prayer ban”

The Michaela Community Schools Trust has successfully defended its decision to ban prayer rituals for all its pupils as lawful in the High Court. Following this high-profile judgment, the Bates Wells’ Public Law team reflect on the wider implications of the case for pupils, parents and schools. Background R (TTT) v Michaela Community Schools Trust …
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Bates Wells joins Mediator Locator

Paul Jennings, Rachel Mathieson, and Tim Constable have recently joined Mediator Locator, a new platform that allows parties to quickly be matched with a mediator to support them to resolve their legal issues. Disputes can be time-consuming and costly, with a profound effect on wellbeing, resources and energy. We believe that, where appropriate, focusing on …
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Infected Blood Inquiry: culture change in our public institutions – is it possible?

Seven years after a public inquiry into the scandal was first announced, last week marked the publication of the final report of the Infected Blood Inquiry (“the Report”). Over thousands of pages the Report collates the harrowing details of the “worst treatment disaster in the history of the NHS” which led to the infection of …
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