Updates

UK creative visas: New challenges for the festival season

As festival season nears, ongoing concerns persist about immigration rules for visiting artists – the UK’s status as a festival hub relies on attracting leading creative talent. Broader visa challenges facing creatives planning to perform or work in the UK this summer were highlighted when Kanye West, known legally as Ye, was refused an Electronic …
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ICO publishes guidance on use of the ‘charity soft opt-in’

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has now updated its ‘Direct marketing and privacy and electronic communications’ guidance in light of the changes made to the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 (‘PECR’) by the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025. Crucially, this includes the long-awaited final guidance on the use of the ‘charitable purposes soft …
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The imposed ban of upwards only rent reviews

The Government has proposed legislation to prohibit upwards only rent review clauses (UORR) in new commercial leases in England and Wales. The proposal was initially introduced on 10 July 2025 tucked away in a 338-page Bill dealing addressing devolution to mayors and strategic authorities called English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill.  This has now received …
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Government consultation on proposals to restrict the scope of confidentiality clauses in NDAs

The numerous, and significant, employment law changes contained in the Employment Rights Act 2025 (“ERA 2025”), are currently in the process of being implemented – with the first tranche coming into force this month, and the remainder being rolled out over the course of the next couple of years. Of those provisions yet to be …
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Key changes to Home Office Sponsor Guidance (March 2026)

Sponsorship Guidance update On 6 March 2026, the Home Office published updated sponsor guidance introducing a significant new requirement: sponsors must now ensure sponsored workers “understand their employment rights” in the UK. This shift reflects a growing regulatory focus in response to exploitation in the sponsor licence sector, notably in social care. This in turn …
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UK Visa Options: An alternative to the 2026-2027 H-1B Cap

The annual H-1B visa cap remains highly competitive, and many candidates find themselves unable to secure a spot due to overwhelming demand. For those affected, the UK offers attractive work placement alternatives, especially now that the H-1B initial registration period has closed. Many individuals who are not selected in the lottery must explore alternative options, …
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Ex gratia – a guide for charity legacy professionals

In November 2025, the long-awaited changes to the ex gratia regime came into force. Bates Wells and the Institute of Legacy Management have collaborated to produce a guide to explain what charities should bear in mind when making ex gratia payments, including navigating decision-making and delegation within a charity’s legacy team. Jump to: Quick reminder …
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Bates Wells appointed to Crescent Purchasing Consortium (CPC) legal services panel

Bates Wells has been appointed to the Crescent Purchasing Consortium (CPC) legal services panel, enabling education organisations across the UK to access the firm’s specialist legal advice through a compliant and streamlined procurement route. CPC is a national procurement framework supporting the education sector and wider public sector, including maintained schools, academies, multi‑academy trusts (MATs), …
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New mandatory ethnicity and disability pay gap reporting for large employers

Following a recent consultation, on proposals for mandatory ethnicity and disability pay gap reporting by large employers, and in light of the widespread support amongst those who responded (87%), the Government has now confirmed that the proposals will be going ahead. Though the new reporting requirements are unlikely to come into force on a compulsory …
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Government publishes new guidance for employers on implementing equality action plans

Under the Employment Rights Act 2025 (“ERA 2025”), large employers (i.e. those with 250 or more employees), are being encouraged to develop and publish equality action plans on a voluntary basis from 6 April 2026, and will be required to produce these on a mandatory basis from April 2027. These equality action plans must show …
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A guide for owner-managed businesses: Succession planning

Succession planning is a strategic priority for owner-managed businesses. Whether you’re preparing for retirement, stepping back from operations or simply thinking ahead, a clear plan helps protect your business, preserve its value and ensure continuity. Unlike larger corporates, owner-managed businesses are often shaped around the founder’s vision, relationships and leadership style. This personal imprint can …
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UK Government announces updates to Immigration, Nationality and Passport Fee Changes from 8 April 2026

From 8 April 2026, a host of changes to UK immigration, nationality and passport fees will take effect, impacting applicants across various categories. Organisations sponsoring workers will need to adjust their recruitment budgets, while individuals will have to plan their finances accordingly. This is part of a drive for migration and borders operations to be …
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