Updates

Update on SOC 3120 CAD, drawing and architectural technicians: MAC Stage 2 report on the Temporary Shortage List, published 23 July 2026

On 23 July 2026, the Migration Advisory Committee (‘MAC’) published its Stage 2 report on the Temporary Shortage List (‘TSL’), recommending which occupations should remain on the TSL after the current interim list expires on 31 December 2026. The Immigration Salary List (ISL) will be replaced by the TSL on 31 December 2026. The TSL …
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Bates Wells clients granted permission to take Public Order Act judicial review to Court

A judicial review challenge brought by Bates Wells clients Lawyers for Animals and Sole Iriart (a campaigner with Camp Beagle) has been granted permission to proceed to a full hearing. The claim argues that the Home Secretary’s designation of the life science sector – including animal testing facilities – as “key national infrastructure” under the …
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When is the right to be accompanied triggered? Reflections from Wolfe v Taka Mayfair Ltd

The Employment Appeal Tribunal (“EAT”) has handed down an important decision on the statutory right to be accompanied at disciplinary and grievance hearings. In Wolfe v Taka Mayfair Ltd [2026] EAT 106, the EAT confirmed that an employee cannot bring a claim for breach of section 10 of the Employment Relations Act 1999 (“the Act”) …
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Using AI may risk waiving confidentiality and legal privilege: Lessons from English case law

Earlier this year, the Upper Tribunal Immigration and Asylum Chamber published its judgment on the use of AI and potential waiver of confidentiality and legal privilege. UK v Secretary of State for the Home Department (AI hallucinations; supervision; Hamid) [2026] UKUT 81 (IAC) concerned two joined cases that involved the use of AI by legal professionals …
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Purpose & Impact: your round-up | July

Welcome to your round-up: a monthly selection of news hand-picked to help keep you up to date, for businesses, investors and others working to create positive impact. Jump to: Corporate purpose B Corps Social enterprise Sustainable fashion Climate & biodiversity Sustainable supply chains Impact investing Corporate purpose The Cabinet Office is seeking expressions of interest …
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Panel event: The Economics of Circularity – Fashioning Sustainability for Business Longevity

As part of London Climate Action Week, Bates Wells, in partnership with DEPLOY – the highest scoring fashion B corp globally, convened a panel exploring one of the fashion industry’s most pressing challenges: how to turn circularity from ambition into commercially viable reality.The panel reflected a breadth of expertise across the value chain. Together, they …
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Getting your club ready for the IFR licensing regime: Key takeaways and next steps

Following our recent webinar on the Independent Football Regulator’s licensing regime, this article summarises the critical points that English men’s football clubs in the top five tiers need to understand and act upon now. Where we stand The IFR has completed its second consultation on the licensing regime with no fundamental changes to the proposed …
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EHRC Code of Practice coming into force on Wednesday 5 August

The new EHRC Code of Practice for services, public functions and associations comes into force on Wednesday 5 August. This updated Services Code will provide guidance on the application of the Equality Act 2010 in light of the Supreme Court’s landmark judgment For Women Scotland, which courts and tribunals must take into account when deciding claims …
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AI Impact: How should purpose-driven businesses consider the impact of their AI usage?

We regularly bring together people from across the impact space, including investors, B Corps, social enterprises, foundations and ecosystem support organisations, to discuss key themes of purpose-beyond-profit. At a recent roundtable, we explored how purpose-driven businesses can understand the risks and impacts of AI, and how in-house legal teams can develop strategies to support responsible …
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Corporate foundations and their connected businesses: Key insights from our roundtable

We were delighted to welcome representatives from a variety of corporate foundations to our roundtable on 30 June. The event brought together a wealth of different experiences and provided an opportunity for peer learning and the sharing of practical insights. Legal principles Bates Wells partners, Philip Kirkpatrick and Lucy Rhodes, opened the roundtable with an …
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EPC reform: raising the bar – big changes ahead for landlords and tenants

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are a familiar part of the UK property landscape, rating buildings from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). They are required when properties are built, sold or let, and form the basis of the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES). For landlords, a property must have a minimum EPC rating of …
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Innovate for Impact: Managing IT supplier relationships: Risks, red flags and reducing the impact of disputes

What makes an IT supplier relationship succeed – or fail? At our recent event, Innovate for Impact: Empowering Charities through Technology, panellists explored the challenges organisations face when delivering technology projects and managing relationships with IT suppliers. While the projects discussed varied widely, a number of recurring themes emerged: misaligned expectations, underestimated complexity, supplier dependency …
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