Karen Collins

Coronavirus and Dispute Resolution: what do you need to know?

In this week’s roundup, we examine what the evolving coronavirus pandemic could mean for commercial agreements with a particular focus on contractual obligations, force majeure and frustration. Updates We have recently launched our brand new Updates platform BatesCast. Here we will be hosting a series of Updatess which will delve into all things legal relating …
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Fair Usage Policy & Consultation Terms

Bates Wells wishes to support organisations in the charity and social enterprise sector during this period of social and economic uncertainty.  We are offering a free 30 minute consultation to help guide you through some of the challenges you face.  As part of that offering we have implemented a Fair Usage Policy to ensure we …
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IP in the news

Recent actions to protect trade marks demonstrate the value of protecting your brand, and the potential reputational damage of too heavy-handed an approach to enforcement. Our trade marks team explore this further in this new update.
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Gift Aid and refunds of advance entry fees – a trap for the unwary

The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted charities to consider refunding donations that allow entry to visitor attractions. Bill Lewis and Susan Shi emphasise the need to tread carefully in this new article.   Fees charged for viewing charity property (e.g. a day entry fee of £10), are not gifts and do not qualify for Gift Aid. …
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Key considerations for restructuring Social Investment transactions during the COVID-19 crisis

In follow up to ‘Solvency considerations for purposeful businesses – A coronavirus guide’[1], which looked at the regulatory landscape and potential rescue mechanisms, here we take a look at ways in which borrowers and lenders might adjust their terms in order to manage their investments and preserve their social impact objectives, during the crisis. The …
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The climate emergency and change makers

The Climate Emergency demands us to be change makers not change takers. David Hunter urges us all to be change makers, not change takers.
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Trade Marks & Branding Update Spring 2020

In our first ever Branding and Trade Marks update we draw on our own recent experience of managing our own re-brand to share some of what we’ve learned with you. If you would like to discuss any of the issues raised in this Update, please contact our Trade Marks team.
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An Englishman’s home is his castle (unless he’s BAME) – Court of Appeal ruling on Right to Rent scheme

The government’s hostile environment policies have come under considerable scrutiny in the last few years, particularly since the Windrush scandal. One key element of this policy was the introduction of Right to Rent checks, turning landlords into immigration enforcers.  Last year the High Court declared the regime incompatible with the Human Rights Act, as it …
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What’s new at the Charity Commission?

We report on the latest developments at the Charity Commission, including Commission updates and how it plans to broaden its safeguarding guidance.
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Charity borrowing during the COVID-19 crisis

As charities continue to feel the pressures of the Covid-19 crisis, many will be seeking to raise additional finance. For some, this may involve borrowing – but does your charity have the necessary power? Many charities may be looking to borrow in order to provide liquidity to sustain their operations during the current crisis. Potential …
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COVID-19 and cross-border EU contracts

COVID-19 has impacted most businesses in the EU and around the world. You may be considering what happens if you cannot fulfil your obligations under various commercial contracts. If these are cross-border contracts, the governing law of the contract will be important. If English law is applicable, the impact on the contract is likely to …
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COVID-19 guidance for Tier 4 sponsors, migrants and short-term students

On Monday the Home Office published new COVID-19 guidance for Tier 4 sponsors and migrants and for short-term students. It is a 14 page document and provides much greater detail than other guidance published to date, which has so far come in the form of short statements on the gov.uk website, and factsheets circulated to …
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