Updates

Positives and pitfalls: Ofqual consults on introducing a Principles Condition to the General Conditions of Recognition

Awarding Organisations (AOs) and others involved in the awarding and qualifications industry have a few weeks left to respond to Ofqual’s consultation on the introduction of a ‘Principles Condition’ to its General Conditions of Recognition (‘GCOR’), the rules Ofqual imposes upon AOs it regulates. In this blog we consider the implications and what some positives …
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The new subscription regime: are you ready to renew?

The new Digital Markets Competition and Consumers Act came into force on 1 January 2025, bringing in a raft of changes to competition law for organisations in the UK. In this series we’ll be looking at key sections of the Act, and what this means in practice for businesses and charities.   It might not …
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Bates Wells helped Sea Ranger Service agree a new partnership with The Crown Estate

During autumn 2024 Bates Wells helped the Sea Ranger Service agree a new partnership with The Crown Estate, and the first project is now underway. The Crown Estate has deployed Sea Ranger, which are young maritime trainees, to carry out wildlife monitoring in the Celtic Sea as part of a multi-year surveying programme in support …
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2024 in review: strategic litigation

In 2024, strategic litigation continued to have an impact on decision making, policy setting and changes in the law. Decisions in a number of high-profile cases are likely to have far reaching implications for governments and organisations over the course of 2025 and beyond. In this blog we discuss several significant judgments and what they …
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Loans involving companies limited by guarantee: key issues for consideration

This article first appeared in the December 2024 edition of the Journal of International Banking and Financial Law. This article summarises key issues relevant to lenders and borrowers in loan financings that involve companies limited by guarantee as a borrower, guarantor and/or security provider. Key Points Introduction A company limited by guarantee (CLG) is a …
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The unsung legal heroes fighting back for wildlife

Since coming into power in Westminster, the Labour Party has been single-minded in prioritising economic considerations. Its packed legislative agenda included measures like the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which aims to turbo-charge the delivery of infrastructure, at the expense of anticipated measures such as a proposed Climate and Nature Bill. Meanwhile, much-needed legislation to outlaw …
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2024 in review: UK immigration twists, turns, and digital shifts – and what’s ahead for 2025

2024: A year of change in UK immigration 2024 was a pivotal year for UK immigration, marked by significant policy changes impacting employers, individuals, and the broader immigration system. From evolving government directives to the transition toward a fully digital immigration framework, the UK’s immigration landscape has seen notable shifts. As we venture into the …
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Independent Football Regulator: getting ready

The Bill introducing the Independent Football Regulator is currently making its way through the legislative system. It will be operational later this year. Under the new regulatory framework, all professional football clubs will be required to obtain a licence to participate in English men’s football competitions. The Bill is subject to change, but there are …
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Our Response to the Law Commission’s Consultation on Co-operatives and Community Benefit Societies

December 2024 saw the submission of our firm’s response to the Law Commission’s consultation on the Co-operatives and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014. In preparing our response we worked alongside the Charity Law Association and a group of lawyers from other leading firms in this sector. The consultation covers a range of issues, from fundamental …
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Lord Briggs defends fixed recoverable costs regime for professional negligence cases

In a speech for the Professional Negligence Lawyers Association, Lord Briggs championed voluntary adjudication and gave qualified support to the use of fixed costs and one way costs-shifting to promote access to justice. On 11 November 2024, Bates Wells was pleased to host an event to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the PNLA’s formation. In …
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Faith-based Organisations: 2024 and 2025 update

Welcome to our annual faith-based update. In this packed edition, we cover a range of issues that commonly present challenges for faith-based organisations and explore recent developments that will impact faith-based charities. In this edition, we explore: Read the update here or download a copy here. We hope you enjoy this update and find it …
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The Football Governance Bill – does Rugby Union need its own independent regulator?

English sport has traditionally followed a model of self-governance. However, times are changing. The Independent Football Regulator is being introduced imminently, and the England and Wales Cricket Board has opted to create its own arms-length regulator. In this series, Clara Hutter and Ben Thomas look at rugby union and ask whether a similar approach to …
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