News

Publication: Thinking about… Merger, during Covid-19

If your charity is considering a merger, our joint publication with IVAR could help. The coronavirus crisis has changed the landscape of the third sector, with many organisations now considering options like merger. In this joint publication from Bates Wells and IVAR, we draw together the experiences of a wide variety of voluntary organisations and advisers …
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People Management: Chetal Patel on frontline workers during COVID-19

With the Home Office recently extending its list of frontline workers who will have their visa automatically extended as part of its response to the coronavirus outbreak, Chetal Patel, partner in our Immigration department, has spoken to People Management with her views on this move. This latest update will allow NHS workers on a visa …
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Thomson Reuters: Luke Fletcher interviewed on B Corps and the future of sustainable business

Luke Fletcher, Partner in our CHaSE team, has spoken with Thomson Reuters regarding B Corp status, sustainable business and the number of organisations looking into whether to certify as a B Corp. Speaking to Sarah Shearman, Social Enterprise Correspondent at Thomson Reuters, Luke explained how the B Corp certification process is a robust benchmark which …
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2020 Stephen Lloyd Awards open for applications

The Bates Wells Foundation is pleased to announce that the 2020 Stephen Lloyd Awards have now opened and are welcoming nominations until 16 March 2020. The Awards, which seek to recognise and support early-stage charities and enterprises which serve a social purpose and are now in their 6th year, have provided financial and pro bono …
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People Management: Paul Seath comments on Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Insights from Paul Seath, partner in our employment team, have been featured in People Management’s coverage of the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. Please see our latest update on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme here. Speaking to the publication, Paul explained how the scheme is ‘extremely welcome and will undoubtedly save many jobs’, but highlighted …
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Serious Incident Reporting by charities: Mindy Jhittay speaks to Thomson Reuters Practical Law

In the first of two new video interviews, Mindy Jhittay speaks to Thomson Reuters Practical Law about the requirement for charities to report serious incidents. Charities are facing significant challenges in response to COVID-19 and the associated government restrictions. In the meantime, the Commission still requires charities to report serious incidents. These may of course …
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Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – latest

The government has published the details of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, under which staff can be furloughed with their consent. Please see our latest update on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme here. The full government briefing on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, and how organisations can claim, can be found here. It will be …
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Coronavirus and your charity: Bates Wells address charities’ key questions in new webinar

With the entire charity sector raising a range of legal questions in relation to the impact of coronavirus in recent weeks, Bates Wells, in association with NCVO, have produced a webinar which addresses charities’ most common queries. The webinar, which you can view here after registering your details, covered the following topics: HR and employment …
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Bates Wells covers employment law implications of coronavirus in new webinars

With the disruption caused by the coronavirus continuing into April, this week Paul Seath, partner in our employment team, delivered two webinars focusing on how the ongoing turbulence has impacted on employment law. In the first online session Paul covered everything from the rules governing sick pay that employers need to be aware of, through …
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Coronavirus and your organisation (25 March)

The coronavirus situation continues to disrupt and reshape “business as usual”. In this week’s roundup, we examine key employment issues; immigration issues; and new procurement guidance. Employment Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: how it worksFollowing the government’s announcement that employers will be able to ask HMRC for a grant to cover 80% of furloughed workers’ wage …
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Coronavirus – What is going to happen to my employment tribunal claims?

Regardless of which side of the claim you fall on, if you have an upcoming hearing you may be concerned about the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Below we set out a brief summary of recent guidance from the Employment Tribunal and what you can expect to happen to any pending hearings. All content on …
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Releasing restricted funds and endowments

This article was published in 2020. Click here for an updated guide, including information on changes brought by the Charities Act. With charities facing a significant decline in income due to the coronavirus pandemic, many are in urgent need of alternative sources of funding to tide them over. Many will be looking for external support …
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