News

Bates Wells advises ICAPE Holding on the acquisition of ALR Services

Bates Wells has advised ICAPE Holding on its acquisition of ALR Services Limited, a UK based company specialising in the procurement of printed circuit boards (PCBs). Founded in 1999, the ICAPE Group acts as a key technological expert in the PCB and technical parts supply chain. With a global network of 39 subsidiaries, the Group …
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Bates Wells signs partnership with Aspiring Solicitors and becomes a founding member of the Social Mobility SMART Legal Commitment initiative

Bates Wells has joined a core founding cohort of law firms to launch the Social Mobility and Real Talent Commitment (SMART Commitment) delivered by Aspiring Solicitors. The SMART Legal Commitment aims to help vacation scheme students and future trainees who face financial challenges in advancing their legal careers. As part of the commitment, Bates Wells …
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Bates Wells contributes to pioneering Charity Investment Governance Principles

Bates Wells has joined with CFG and other sector bodies to launch the Charity Investment Governance Principles (CIGP). Following on from the landmark charity investment case of Butler-Sloss in 2022 which set the precedent for charities to consider non-financial factors when making investment decisions, these new principles are aimed at providing greater clarity for trustees …
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Freedom of speech duties to be reintroduced in amended form, following advocacy from Bates Wells client NUS Charity and sector leaders

The Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, has announced that it is proposed to recommence the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 in a significantly amended form. The key provisions were postponed by the incoming government in July 2024, days before they were due to come into force. Bates Wells, together with NUS Charity and other …
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Judgment given in the case of The Humane League UK v Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Today sees the judgment released in The Humane League UK v Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Rupert Earle and Chandni Luhar-Torres of Bates Wells, and Nick Armstrong KC of Matrix Chambers acted for the RSPCA, who supported The Humane League UK (THL) in this case. The case, originally heard in the …
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Richard Jones discusses Effective Land Disposal in Independent Schools Management

Richard Jones, a member of our Bates Wells Education team, has been published in the December 2024 issue of Independent Schools Management. Richard’s article, “Effective Land Disposal,” delves into the crucial considerations for independent schools navigating property transactions during mergers, with a particular focus on compliance with the Charities Act. You can find his article …
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Bates Wells act in an important intervention on behalf of Protect, the UK Whistleblowing charity

Protect, the UK whistleblowing charity, successfully intervened in the Employment Appeal Tribunal case of Declan Durey v South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust to protect “injury to feelings” compensation for whistleblowers. The case concerned a challenge to this established form of compensation. Following the hearing, the settled position remains that Employment Tribunals can make …
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Groundbreaking cases and positive impact: Bates Wells recognised by The Times Best Law Firms 2025

We’ve been recognised by The Times Best Law Firms 2025 for our work for charities, employment, immigration, and administrative & public law. Stand out work was recognised on a ground-breaking employment case against Uber Eats, and with the RSPCA on animal welfare regulation in the UK, highlighted in our latest impact report. And also our …
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Gina Mok v The Lansdowne Club: a significant judgment for how social clubs are entitled to operate

Following a 5-day trial last month, the judgment of the High Court has been released in the case of Gina Mok v The Lansdowne Club.    Bates Wells (Leticia Jennings and Katy Sawyer) and David Reade KC acted for the Lansdowne Club throughout, and Mr Justice Ritchie has dismissed Gina Mok’s claim in its entirety. …
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Bates Wells advises on the sale of law firm FBC Manby Bowdler

Bates Wells has advised the partners of law firm FBC Manby Bowdler in connection with the investment of £30m by Horizon Capital and becoming the platform firm of a new firm, Adeptio Law Group. FBC Manby Bowdler is a full service, 200 strong law firm based in the Midlands. This represents the first investment for …
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Bates Wells Impact Report 2023 and 2024

Our belief that we urgently need change in the sector, both from within and in using our experience to guide our clients is a fundamental part of everyone’s role in the firm.  Our impact report this year delves into the ways in which we continue to impact and influence businesses and charities to be better …
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Government announces plans to pause implementation of freedom of speech duties for students’ unions and HEPs

The government has announced today (26 July) that the new duties on Higher Education providers and students’ unions in the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 will not come into effect next Thursday (1 August) as envisaged. The new duties were subject to exhaustive Office for Students consultation over the spring and summer. In …
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