Karen Collins

Build back better: Purpose-driven business for an inclusive economy

Globalisation, technology and market liberalisation have delivered significant benefits for many. However, our current economic model, of capitalism based on the primacy of shareholder value, doesn’t seem to provide the urgent solutions we need; therefore, many are rethinking our model for doing business. Bates Wells has been supporting the British Academy’s Future of the Corporation …
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Working with design agencies

Creative agencies can give your brand and content a real boost, and we work with them regularly on rebranding and other projects. But your relationship with them is fundamentally legal in character, and you need to make sure you are not exposed. Mathew Healey looks at the key issues you need to know about. Many …
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Is your name working for you?

There are a whole host of legal and practical issues to consider when a charity rebrands. Somewhere near the top of this list should be – does it need to change its legal name? Or is it sufficient just to adopt a new ‘working name’? Mathew Healey outlines the pros and cons of each approach. …
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Changes to the Immigration Rules coming into force today

Immigration law is a fast-moving field at the best of times but the pace of change has reached new heights in the past few weeks, with frequent updates and new guidance being published by the Home Office in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the flurry of all that activity, it is easy to forget …
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Charities: how to handle complaints

The Fundraising Regulator continues to emphasise the importance of proper complaints handling. Emma Dowden-Teale and Charlotte Blackbourn remind charities how to deal with complaints in line with the Code of Fundraising Practice.
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Coronavirus Act 2020 – implications for adult social care

In the interests of prioritising scarce public resources, drastic powers were introduced in the Coronavirus Act 2020 (the Act) in respect of key duties under the Care Act 2014, the legislation which sets out local authorities’ duties in relation to assessing people’s needs and eligibility for publicly funded care and support. The Act’s provisions in relation to …
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Beware coronavirus fraud

Top tips for protecting your organisation from opportunistic scams For all of us, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has been a time of dramatic, unprecedented change to the way we live and work. Sadly, the more things change, the more some things stay the same, and fraudsters have already begun to use the pandemic as an …
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Charity Finance: Lawrie Simanowitz comments on coronavirus impact on the charity sector

With disruption continuing to adversely impact many charities, Lawrie Simanowitz spoke to Tristan Blythe, Editor of Charity Finance, on the trends he is seeing across the sector. In light of the unprecedented situation in which charities find themselves, Lawrie gave his views on how this crisis has affected the ability of charities to raise funds …
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Coronavirus and your organisation

As the coronavirus (Covid-19) situation gathers momentum, organisations nationwide are assessing how their operations will be affected. What is your duty towards employees and the people your organisation serves? What are the insurance implications? Should you cancel formal meetings and events? We’ve rounded up the key issues you need to consider. Coronavirus in the workplace: …
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Immigration guidance addressing the coronavirus outbreak

In the midst of the global disruption being caused by the outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the Home Office has published new immigration guidance for those affected by travel restrictions to and from China. There has been no legislation passed and no new immigration rules have been announced. This likely reflects the fast-changing nature of …
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Bates Wells writes for The Forum on waqf, charity law and charitable giving within Islam

Augustus Della-Porta, partner in our Charity & Social Enterprise team, has contributed an article to the latest issue of The Forum, the quarterly journal published by the Muslim Charity Forum (MCF). Augustus provides an update on the waqf (a process by which charitable giving can take place within Islam), and the legal requirements governing its …
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Luke Fletcher speaks to Investment & Pensions Europe on Charity Commission responsible investment initiative

Following news that the Charity Commission is gathering views on the subject of responsible investing by charities, Luke Fletcher spoke with Investment & Pensions Europe (IPE) to provide his perspective on this topical issue. Noting that questions concerning investment are often addressed by charities’ investment committees, Luke goes on to explain how matters such as …
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