News

Creating impact: Bates Wells recognised by The Times Best Law Firms 2024

We’ve been commended by The Times Best Law Firms 2024 for our work for administrative and public law, charities, employment and immigration. The piece acknowledges the sad passing of Andrew Phillips earlier this year, commemorating his contribution to the legal world, and highlighting how Bates Wells continues to use the law as a force for …
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Net zero and the government U-turn – what will you do?

The government announcement on 20 September 2023 has derailed several climate change commitments including in relation to reducing carbon emissions from residential properties. The argument is that this relieves some financial burden for property owners. However, commentators suggest the U-turn on EPCs not only stores problems for the climate crisis but also creates a longer term …
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Increase in Home Office fees from 4 October

The government announced in July 2023 that they intended to significantly increase visa and nationality application fees this autumn.With effect from 4 October 2023, the fee increases are as follows: Please also note that priority, super priority fees and User Pays Visa Application Centre appointment fees are also expected to increase. Out-of-country non-settlement priority service will increase …
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Fuelling positive change: NCVO launches new campaign encouraging charities to divest from fossil fuels

NCVO has launched a campaign encouraging charities to ‘consider moving investments away from businesses involved in the extraction, production, transportation, refining and marketing of fossil fuels. Examples of these are coal, tar sands, oil and gas.’ NCVO will be hosting a series of events over the Autumn to explore the ways in which charities can …
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In the news: Paul Jennings speaks on the risk of substitution clauses in contracts

A recent Sunday Times investigation found that app-based food delivery companies allow couriers to let out their profiles, but often those who use them are vulnerable, undocumented migrants who are exploited. Paul Jennings spoke with journalist Venetia Menzies about substitution clauses – the loophole which allows those working for app-based courier companies to allow someone …
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In the news: Chetal Patel on the rise in non-EU immigration to UK

Partner and Head of Immigration Chetal Patel was quoted in People Management, Personnel Today and I News last week for sharing her insight on what the rise in non-EU immigration to UK means for the economy and businesses. Figures released last week by the Office for National Statistics have revealed that net migration to the …
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FAQ: How Bates Wells’ Parliamentary Agent could help your statutory not-for-profit

After a rigorous application process, Bates Wells’ Mark Abbott has become a “Roll A” Parliamentary Agent, meaning Bates Wells is now one of a small number of firms able to introduce and promote private Acts of Parliament for our clients. What is a Parliamentary Agent? A parliamentary agent is a specialist lawyer who can draft, and help clients to obtain, a …
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UKVI refuses to commit to closing loophole for transgender individuals in right-to-work checks guidance

Employers are required to carry out right to work checks for any new employee or for an existing employee on a time bound visa. UKVI’s current guidance is clear on how right to work checks are to be carried out – but the guidance currently does not address how transgender individuals can adequately address discrepancies …
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Remembering Andrew Phillips, founder of Bates Wells

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of our founder, Andrew Phillips, Baron Phillips of Sudbury. Andrew died peacefully on Sunday (9 April 2023), after a short illness, with his family at his side. Andrew founded Bates Wells in 1970 and fought tirelessly to use the law as a force for good with both …
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March means B Corp month

This year we’ll be showing you what it means to go beyond business as usual. As a Certified B Corp, we use our business as a force for good, putting people and the planet first. So get ready to find out why – and how – we go beyond the legal essentials. At Bates Wells …
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Bates Wells’ LGBT+ history month roundup

At Bates Wells we see it as vital to promote the work of our LGBT+ people as well as acting as an institutional ally. This LGBT+ history month, we focussed on: Claiming the past – we secured charitable status for London Gay Switchboard in 1974, and we’ve been addressing challenges in the LGBT+ community since. …
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Joe Whitfield joins Bates Wells as new Head of Development Finance

At Bates Wells, for over two decades, we’ve been helping clients in the UK to make (and raise) investments which provide both a financial return and positive impact for the greater good. But in today’s world, many of the systemic social and environmental problems we’re facing are global in scope – and in their negative …
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