Updates

EHRC submits updated Services Code of Practice to Government for approval

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (“EHRC”) has submitted the final updated draft of its Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations (“Services Code of Practice”) to the Minister for Women and Equalities. The draft will now be considered by the Government and, subject to ministerial approval, laid before Parliament for 40 days …
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Thinking about closing your charity?

Charities close for a range of reasons. In some cases, they have successfully fulfilled their mission or believe another organisation is better positioned to carry it forward. In others, financial pressures, governance or operational difficulties, or shifts in the external environment may render their activities unsustainable or ineffective.   Charities exist to advance their charitable …
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You’re fired! Can you fire an employee over the phone without notice?

Employment Tribunal judgments involving football clubs often attract attention, and the recent case of Mr K A Hagan v The Millwall Football and Athletic Company (2305074/2023) offers some important reminders for employers about contract management, whistleblowing claims, and how not to handle dismissals. The key issue in this case was how Mr Hagan’s contract was …
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Neonatal Care Leave and Pay: new technical guide for employers

The Department for Business & Trade has published an employers’ technical guide to neonatal care leave and pay. Published on 22 August, this guide aims to support employers in implementing the new statutory entitlement for employees, which applies to eligible parents of babies born on or after 6 April 2025. The entitlement only applies to …
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The concussion gap: why sporting organisations need to pay more attention to brain injuries in women’s sport

While much of the focus has been on male athletes, increasing evidence from scientific studies1 suggests that biologically female athletes may be at a higher risk of sustaining concussions and other sport related traumatic brain injuries and suffering more severe long-term consequences than their biologically male counterparts. Litigation related to sports-related brain injuries is growing, …
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EHRC announces regulatory action in respect of policies which allow access to single sex spaces and services based on gender self identification

On 27 August 2025, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (“EHRC”) announced that it has completed its review of evidence obtained from the Government’s 2024 call for input on organisations’ approaches to single sex spaces and services, and that it will be taking regulatory action where organisations’ policies on this issue misrepresent equality law. Specifically, …
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Having a protected conversation: top tips for employers

What is a “protected conversation”? Section 111A of the Employment Rights Act 1996 (“ERA”) enables employers to have confidential, or “protected”, conversations with employees; in circumstances where they wish to explore the option of bringing the employment relationship to an end on agreed terms; without the conversation being referenced in subsequent unfair dismissal claims. When …
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Employer alert: hot compliance trends and tips

The Government’s crackdown on illegal working gained momentum over the summer of 2025, with employers and advisers experiencing an increase in compliance requests and enforcement action from the Home Office. We look at three key areas where we have seen an increase in enforcement activity and how employers can prepare themselves and mitigate risk. These …
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What do awarding organisations need to know about the new failure to prevent fraud offence?

From 1 September 2025, many awarding organisations across the UK will face a new compliance obligation under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA): the corporate offence of failure to prevent fraud. This legislation is designed to hold certain organisations accountable when individuals acting on their behalf commit fraud intended to benefit the …
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When is an adjustment reasonable? Lessons from Hindmarch

In the recent case of Hindmarch v North East Ambulance NHS Foundation Trust [2025] EAT 87, the Employment Appeal Tribunal (“EAT”) looked at the question of whether an adjustment requested by a disabled employee will be reasonable if it does not alleviate or avoid the substantial disadvantage faced by them in the workplace. Mr Hindmarch, …
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Changing your governing document – top tips for professional membership bodies

Professional bodies, learned societies, and Royal Colleges should regularly review their governing documents to make sure they are up to date. Sometimes organisations grow or change, and it’s important that your governing documents are accessible, user-friendly, and up to date for your organisation and members. Take a look at our quick checklist to see if …
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The EU’s proposed Omnibus reforms to the CS3D: A lost opportunity to leverage human rights and climate litigation for a more sustainable economy?

Earlier this year, the European Commission published the ‘Omnibus I’ directive proposal (the Omnibus): a ‘package’ of measures aimed at simplifying key sustainability-related EU legislation, including the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D). The CS3D creates a due diligence duty upon large companies to address certain adverse human rights and environmental impacts in their operations …
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