Updates

Briefing for Charities & Social Enterprises | 18 June

Our weekly round up of news and updates from across the sector. To help you navigate this week’s content, the links below will take you straight to content by topic. Charity Commission Updated guidance on raising concerns The Charity Commission has updated its guidance on raising a concern with the Commission (CC47). The press release …
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Creating a ‘Speak Up’ culture in purpose-driven businesses: The benefits of an effective whistleblowing framework

Bates Wells convenes the Impact Counsels’ Forum, a space for senior counsel working within impact investors, B Corps, and other purpose-driven businesses. The forum discusses the ‘impact angles’ on legal and practical issues faced by in-house legal teams. Recently, the forum explored the benefits an effective whistleblowing framework and how that can support an open …
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UK creative visas: festival season challenges?

In March 2025 the performer FKA twigs hit the headlines for having to pull out of her North American tour at the eleventh hour, blaming her team for not securing her US visa in time.  US visas are often known for complexity and high costs, but how does the UK compare? The UK’s rich and …
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Briefing for Charities & Social Enterprises | 11 June

Our weekly round up of news and updates from across the sector. To help you navigate this week’s content, the links below will take you straight to content by topic. Charity Commission We reported a few weeks ago that the Charity Commission’s guidance CC30, Finding and appointing new trustees, has been updated. We’ve reviewed the …
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Using the law to create change – a new guide for charities and campaigning groups

In partnership with NEON, this new guide explains how your organisation can use the law to create meaningful change. Legal action is rarely enough to drive systemic change on its own, but the law can be a powerful tool for purpose-driven organisations, especially when combined with other tactics within a broader campaign strategy. The guide …
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Codification and expansion of the rules limiting confidentiality provisions in Non-Disclosure Agreements for victims of crime

The Government has announced that it will be codifying and expanding the rules limiting the application of confidentiality provisions in Non-Disclosure Agreements (“NDAs”) to victims of crime, in order to give the latter greater protections.  Section 17 of the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 will come into force on 1 October 2025, and will clarify …
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Employment Status: Tribunal finds exam invigilator was worker not self employed: Lessons from Shanks v Scottish Qualifications Authority

In Shanks v Scottish Qualifications Authority, the Employment Tribunal ruled an exam invigilator was a worker under employment law and entitled to holiday pay. This case highlights the importance of aligning contractual terms with actual working practices and serves as a warning to employers about the importance of correctly assessing the employment status of those …
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Purpose & Impact: your roundup | June

Welcome to your roundup – a monthly selection of news hand-picked to keep you up to date with what’s going on for businesses and investors working to create positive impact. In this roundup you can find out what’s new in the B Corp, social enterprise, and impact investing spaces, amongst others, collated under helpful headings. …
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Briefing for Charities & Social Enterprises | 3 June

Our weekly round up of news and updates from across the sector. To help you navigate this week’s content, the links below will take you straight to content by topic. Sanctions To strengthen the sanctions regime, the government is proposing changes to help sanctions whistleblowers qualify for statutory whistleblowing protection when disclosing information about breaches …
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Kids Company judicial review – winners or losers?

Philip Kirkpatrick reflects on the recent High Court decision on the judicial review case brought against the Charity Commission in relation to its 2022 inquiry report into Kids Company. Many people will have thought that the Kids Company case was all over long ago. Well, it is now, following a recent High Court judgment in …
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The implications of the For Women Scotland judgment in the world of sport

Women’s sport is the latest sphere to feel the ripple effects of the Supreme Court’s recent decision in the For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers case (discussed here). In For Women Scotland, the Supreme Court held that transgender people retain their biological sex for the purposes of the Equality Act 2010 (EqA) even if …
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The Equality and Human Rights Commission Consults on an Updated Statutory Code of Practice following For Women Scotland

Following the Supreme Court’s decision in For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers [2025] UKSC 16, and the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s (“EHRC”) “Interim Update on the Practical Implications”, the EHRC has launched a consultation on an updated Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations (“Code of Practice”) (“Consultation”). The purpose of …
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