News

Bates Wells sign the Mindful Business Charter

On 13 October 2022 we officially signed the Mindful Business Charter. In doing so, we’ve committed to the challenge of creating healthier and more effective ways of working across the firm. The Charter focuses on how firms can create a culture where employees interact with each other in a thoughtful and mindful way, to help …
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Creating impact: Bates Wells recognised by The Times Best Law Firms 2023

We’ve been commended by The Times Best Law Firms 2023 for our work for charities, employment and immigration. Key highlights included the ground-breaking Butler Sloss judgment and Erica Crump and Molly Carew-Jones’ work on the repatriation of the Horniman’s Benin Bronzes. The article also flagged our immigration team’s lobbying efforts in the wake of the crises …
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We join the nation as it mourns the sad passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

We join the nation as it mourns the sad passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
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Law Firms and The B Corp Movement

B Corps are a group of businesses that are actively working to make business a force for good. They seek to address society’s greatest challenges and to build a more inclusive economy. To qualify for B Corp Status, companies must consider the effect of their decisions on all of their stakeholders: shareholders, staff, the wider …
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Charity investment: what do the latest legal developments mean for trustees?

The Butler-Sloss case clarifies current law surrounding ethical charity investment. More emphasis is now being placed on charity trustees to balance financial and non-financial considerations. The recent High Court Judgement recognises that potential conflicts with charitable objects could exist across the investment universe, however it is for trustees to use their own discretion to decide …
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Purpose and law firms – a contradiction in terms or the future of the profession?

For Bates Wells, being a B Corp means that we always strive to do the right thing and help our clients to make a positive impact on society. We encourage our people to develop, innovate and participate in activities that promote an equal, diverse and inclusive environment. Angela Monaghan, our Purpose and Impact Manager, explains …
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Bates Wells honoured as a Best for the World™ B Corp of 2022!

Bates Wells has been named a 2022 Best for the World™ B Corp, in recognition of its exceptional positive impact in the category of governance. The Best for the World award is a distinction granted by the B Lab to certified B Corps whose verified B Impact Scores in the five impact areas evaluated in …
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Bates Wells recognises challenges faced by transgender employees when seeking to evidence a right to work

Our immigration team are working to persuade UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to close a gap in their guidance for employers who wish to employ someone that recently changed gender. Introduction Transgender people often face challenges when documenting their gender identity. A specific barrier has been identified by our Immigration Team in that current UKVI …
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UK Electoral Commission head to join law firm Bates Wells as consultant

Bob Posner, until recently the chief executive of the Electoral Commission, is joining law firm Bates Wells’ top-ranked Politics, Elections and Campaigning team as a consultant. Bob has decades of experience in the political arena, working across the administration of elections and referendums, through to the regulation of political and campaigning finance rules. He is …
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Bates Wells acts in landmark High Court ruling allowing trustees to prioritise climate change mitigation over financial returns in investments

A landmark High Court ruling today has confirmed that trustees of charitable trusts are allowed to prioritise the climate change outcomes of their investments even if it risks reducing financial returns. With charities in England and Wales holding over £150bn in long term investments, the decision could have a significant impact. Mr Justice Michael Green …
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Bates Wells attends Better Business Day in Westminster

The 20th April marked a year since the launch of the Better Business campaign, which calls for the introduction of the Better Business Act, a change in legislation that would transform the way Britain does business so every company would not be run solely to generate shareholder profit. Together with over 1,000 other businesses, Bates …
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Bates Wells appoints new partner, Nirav Patel, to join corporate practice

We’re delighted to welcome Nirav Patel as a partner in our Corporate practice, where he will strengthen the firm’s M&A advisory offering and bring a wealth of experience in advising ESG-focused companies. Nirav has 10 years’ experience advising financial institutions such as private equity funds, UK and foreign government-backed funds and development finance organisations. Nirav …
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