Karen Collins

Embedding EDI in your internal procedures

Many organisations are considering a review of their policies and procedures to ensure they are fully compliant with their key equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) objectives and corporate strategy. We understand that organisations need to put processes in place which are not just suitable for now, but are robust, forward-looking and dynamic enough to meet …
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Right to work checks – what do you need to know from the latest update?

Are you ready for the post-Brexit era? Here we break down the latest guidance on right to work checks. In this update, we cover (1) the extension of the temporary Covid-19 adjusted right to work checks, (2) the updated guidance on right to work checks for EEA and Swiss nationals from 1 July 2021 and …
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Bates Wells launches Upward Mentoring programme

We have finished our first ever Upward Mentoring programme. RISE, one of our Diversity & Inclusion Forum subgroups proposed the idea in the wake of our firm commitment to improve the work we do around allyship. RISE worked with HR, our senior leadership and our Black colleagues as well as those from ethnic minorities to …
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Homeworking and hybrid working: the legal aspects

There’s plenty of content out there dealing with the approach employers can take to home or hybrid working. But what does home or hybrid working mean for contracts and policies? Both will need tailoring – here we consider some of the key points to keep in mind. Over-arching approach to home and hybrid working requestsChanging …
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A Letter to the Earth

In the run up to COP26, we have teamed up with Business Declares and Letters to the Earth to help highlight the importance of taking action on climate change now. Martin Bunch, Managing Partner at Bates Wells, has joined other business leader (including CEOs from Triodos, Riverford and Forster Communications) by writing a Letter to …
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Bates Wells advises Eyoto Group Limited on a series of bridging investments

Bates Wells Corporate Finance team advises optical technology business Eyoto Group Limited on a series of bridging investments. Bates Wells acted for Eyoto Group Limited on its most recent fund raise to ensure a pathway to future growth for the company through a series of investments by way of convertible loans.  This included an investment …
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Charities going digital: top 10 data privacy tips

Is your charity moving into new digital ventures? At the beginning of this year Charity Finance Group reported on widespread innovation and invention through the charity sector as a result of Covid-19. That trend is expected to continue through 2021 in the charity sector and elsewhere.  One key finding in that report was that seven …
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Contractual obligations and Covid-19

Despite many reasons for optimism in the UK, Covid-19 continues to cause problems for millions of people. Although the UK seems to be on a reasonably steady path back towards normality, the ever-changing situation since March 2020 has shown that it is still too early to say whether we can finally wave goodbye to the …
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What to look for in a dispute resolution and litigation team

There is a misconception that you only need a lawyer who is adept at resolving disputes or litigation when all else has failed; the ‘distressed purchase’ to use as a last resort. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Finding and building a relationship with the right dispute resolution team can be one of …
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Ten top tips for SMEs considering applying for a sponsor licence

Will you need to consider applying for a sponsor licence in order to attract and retain key talent following the end of the Brexit grace period on 30 June 2021? We know that SMEs have been hard hit following Brexit, and have faced huge financial and resourcing difficulties following the pandemic. We know that SMEs …
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Charity and social enterprise update: trustees in the spotlight

The recent Kids Company case – in which the Official Receiver challenged the actions of the trustees and CEO of insolvent charitable company Kids Company – shone a very public spotlight on the position of charity trustees and senior managers. The High Court dismissed the Official Receiver’s bid to disqualify the former trustees and CEO …
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The answer to the European Super League fiasco? The Better Business Act.

Benjamin Thomas gives his thoughts on the issue at the heart of the European Super League: shareholder primacy. On Sunday, 18 April 2021, the biggest football news story in decades broke out of nowhere. 12 of Europe’s elite clubs simultaneously issued a press release which announced the launch of an alternative to the Champions League: …
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