Updates

Infected Blood Inquiry: culture change in our public institutions – is it possible?

Seven years after a public inquiry into the scandal was first announced, last week marked the publication of the final report of the Infected Blood Inquiry (“the Report”). Over thousands of pages the Report collates the harrowing details of the “worst treatment disaster in the history of the NHS” which led to the infection of …
Read more

Protected beliefs in the workplace

The Equality Act 2010 applies to many different life areas that affect B-Corps, particularly as employers and service providers. What can we learn from recent legal cases about how the Act prohibits direct and indirect discrimination, harassment and victimisation relating to philosophical beliefs? The law recognises an increasing number of philosophical beliefs as protected, and …
Read more

Equalities update: consultation on updated NHS constitution reinforcing commitment to “single-sex” wards

The Department of Health and Social Care is currently consulting on proposed changes to the NHS Constitution (“the Constitution”) as part of a 10 year review process set out in the Health Act 2009. The constitution was last updated in 2015. The consultation will run for 8 weeks and closes on 25 June 2024. The …
Read more

Working 9 to 5… Can you ask your workforce to return to the office full-time?

It has been reported that Manchester United minority shareholder, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, has told employees they need to return to the office full-time, citing a boost to productivity and reduction in email traffic as his reasons for the move. It is also reported that he told staff they should seek “alternative employment” if they were …
Read more

Charities and investments – the revised investment guidance (CC14)

The Charity Commission published its revised investment guidance for charity trustees (CC14) on 1 August 2023. Now the dust has settled, this article explores how we got here, the key takeaways, and our experience of what charities have been doing in practice. How we got here The Commission was planning changes to its investment guidance …
Read more

Legal Update from the Public Law team: FDA Judicial Review challenge of the Rwanda Act 2024

The Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration Bill) has now been passed by both Houses of Parliament and received Royal Assent. The Government accepted only limited amendments to the legislation during its passage. Accordingly, the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Act 2024 (“the Act”) makes a statutory declaration that Rwanda is a “safe” country, which …
Read more

The SLAPP Bill: is enough being done to protect campaigners?

In recent years, we have seen a rise in strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) being used to intimidate and silence journalists, charities, and campaigners (SLAPPS claims usually centre on privacy or defamation). These aggressive legal proceedings misuse the litigation process to suppress freedom of expression and discourage public criticism. The introduction of the Strategic …
Read more

Bates Wells’ and Fair Game CIC’s goal to amend the Football Governance Bill

Bates Wells has been working with Fair Game CIC to amend and improve the Football Governance Bill, which will introduce the Independent Football Regulator. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to craft a regulatory regime which puts the interests of fans, people and the planet at the heart of footballing governance. The original Bill was lacking …
Read more

Charity Commission inquiries: Top takeaways for charities

What are the key areas of concern being investigated by the Charity Commission at the moment? We have drawn out the top five from the Commission’s statutory inquiry reports for last year and shared some tips for avoiding those issues in your charity. Dominant trustees and CEOs There is nothing wrong with a charity having …
Read more

Pioneers Post: Philip Kirkpatrick comments on Anglian Water’s purpose-led business model

Philip Kirkpatrick, Partner in our Charity & Social Enterprise team, has spoken with Pioneers Post about the positive impact that embedding social purpose into a company can have but the need for better accountability mechanisms to ensure the value of doing so in the long term. Anglian Water, a UK water utility company, amended its …
Read more

Ethics washing – top tips to help protect your charity

Ethics washing, greenwashing, bluewashing, ethical laundering, eco washing… the list of terms continues to grow, and with it grows the risk of charities coming under scrutiny if what they do doesn’t align with their stated values. Simple mistakes, inaccuracies or misleading claims can have big consequences, risking lasting reputational damage among key stakeholders, loss of …
Read more

Climate change – it’s everyone’s fight

“Climate change” and “climate crisis” have become synonymous with young people and their futures. But climate change is happening right now. A problem with talking about climate change in terms of young people only, is that it gives energy companies, unscrupulous governments and others who wilfully contribute to climate change, a reason to kick the …
Read more