Updates

The end of adjusted right to work checks: how to carry out a right to work check from 1 October 2022

From 1 October 2022, the transitional arrangements for right to work checks have ended, meaning employers can no longer rely on a Covid-19 adjusted check. Checks must now be done using one of the following methods: Manual right to work checksThe Home Office online checking serviceIdentity Document Validation Technology (“IDVT”) via the services of an …
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Drawing on lived experience: four questions for social enterprises

Hiring or consulting people with direct experience of the issues an organisation tackles is often seen as good equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) practice. But there are a few things to consider to truly value and make the most of diverse life experiences. Samara Lawrence, Associate at Bates Wells, addresses four key questions for organisations …
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The Charities Act 2022, Explained: catch up on the full series

What does your charity need to know about the New Act? Our blog series untangles the key issues across a range of topics to pull out the points your charity should understand, action now and plan for. Catch up with the latest blogs in the series – we’ve included the expected implementation dates, but you …
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B Corps: Driving your purpose & impact

As the first law firm in the UK to certify as a B Corp, we bring first-hand insight and experience to our legal advice. Are you on the journey towards empowering your organisation to do business in a way that is values-driven, as well as profitable? As the first law firm in the UK to …
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The importance of competition law compliance for trade associations and accreditation bodies

It’s well established that trade associations must comply with competition law – both in respect of their internal rules of membership and how they engage with their members and non-members. Investigations by competition regulators are however relatively rare. Earlier in the summer, the Office of the Rail Regulator (ORR), which has competition law as well …
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Covid-19 Inquiry – Module 2 now open

On 31 August, the UK Covid-19 Inquiry announced the opening of its second investigation, which will look at the core political and administrative decision-making of the UK and devolved governments.  The second investigation is split into four parts: Modules 2, 2A, 2B, and 2C. Module 2 is concerned with the decision-making of the UK Government, …
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Response to the Charity Commission consultation on Annual Return changes

In June this year, the Charity Commission began consulting on a range of changes to its Annual Return, through which it hopes to gather more data about your charity. The consultation closed on 1 September 2022. A flexible approach The Commission says that it wants to make the Annual Return more flexible, so that it …
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Only one month to go until the transitional arrangements for right to work checks end on 30 September 2022

The change to the right to work checks is in line with the Home Office’s prioritisation of digitising the UK immigration system. Here are our three top tips for employers to consider now: From 1 October 2022 employers can no longer rely on the transitional right to work check arrangements brought in during to the …
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Setting up a corporate foundation

Setting up a charity connected to your business is a great way to amplify your company’s positive impact. We have done this ourselves (the Bates Wells Foundation works to support sustainable social change), and over the years we’ve helped numerous businesses – from SMEs to global corporations – to set up and manage their foundations. …
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Developing an investment policy that is in your company’s, and the climate’s, best interests – our practical steps

We recently acted for the successful claimants in the High Court case of Butler-Sloss v Charity Commission. The ground-breaking judgment approved the claimants’ decision to align their charities’ investments with the goals of the Paris Agreement to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, even where this involves financial risk by excluding a large part …
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Resilient real estate: what are the opportunities for your portfolio?

The impact of climate change has very real risks on real estate assets including: subsidence, flood risk, heat stress and in some cases, coastal erosion. There are also less tangible effects that can be mitigated against. Which opportunities can arise from making your portfolio more resilient to climate change?
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Harpur Trust v Brazel: what you need to know and what you need to do

The Supreme Court has delivered its judgment in the long-running case of Harpur Trust v Brazel. Paul Seath, Damian Ward and Olivia Woodward consider the impact for employers. Background Mrs Brazel is a visiting music teacher at a school run by the Harpur Trust. She is employed on a permanent contract which is ongoing throughout …
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