Updates

Higher English Proficiency Standard for Settlement Effective March 2027

In a Statement of Changes on 5 March 2026, the UK Government indicated that they will increase the English language requirement for settlement for most immigration routes. The required level is set by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and will be raised from B1 (intermediate) to B2 (upper intermediate or around …
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Gender identity, protected beliefs, and single-sex facilities in the workplace: a review of Peggie v (1) Fife Health Board and (2) Dr Upton

The end of 2025, and start of 2026, saw four Employment Tribunal (“ET”) judgments being handed down in cases relating to gender identity, protected beliefs, and the use of single-sex facilities in the workplace. These are the first few ET cases to grapple with the Supreme Court’s landmark April 2025 ruling in For Women Scotland …
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Gender identity, protected beliefs, and single-sex facilities in the workplace: a review of Hutchinson

The end of 2025, and start of 2026, saw four Employment Tribunal (“ET”) judgments being handed down in cases relating to gender identity, protected beliefs, and the use of single-sex facilities in the workplace. These are the first few ET cases to grapple with the Supreme Court’s landmark April 2025 ruling in For Women Scotland …
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Founders Series: Emily Taylor, Oxford Information Labs and Global Signal Exchange

We recently sat down with Emily Taylor, Co-founder and CEO of Oxford Information Labs and Global Signal Exchange. Oxford Information Labs specialises in digital governance, cybersecurity, and internet technologies. They aim to tackle complex challenges in the digital envrionment – from internet standards and threat analysis to inclusive digital safety.Their mature data-sharing platform led them …
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Legal Update: UK government launches consultation asking for views on under 16s social media ban

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has launched a public consultation on children’s digital wellbeing, looking at social media age bans, curfews, AI chatbots and gaming. Background In December 2025, Australia became the first country in the world to introduce a social media ban for under-16s. Children were banned from a range of platforms …
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A Guide for Owner-Managed Businesses: Choosing the Right Staff Incentive Strategy

Rewarding employees is central to building a committed, high‑performing workforce. A share incentive programme enables employees to participate in the company’s growth, aligning their interests closely with those of the employer. This article provides an overview of key incentive structures available to employers and highlights the practical questions employers should consider when designing a scheme. …
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Schools White Paper: Every child achieving and thriving

The government published its highly-anticipated Schools White Paper and a corresponding consultation on 23 February 2026, setting out major reforms, focused primarily on special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).  These reforms will affect children and young people aged 0-25, their families and others in the wider education ecosystem including schools and local authorities. Most of …
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Why you should apply now for indefinite leave to remain: The impact of earned settlement proposals

Indefinite leave to remain (ILR) provides migrants in the UK with a secure and stable foundation for life, work, and integration into British society. Government proposals for ‘earned settlement’ represent a significant shift in policy, introducing changes that will affect eligibility for ILR and the process of obtaining it. The consultation is now closed, and …
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Search and imaging orders: the new model form and what applicants need to consider

On 6 April 2025 changes to CPR Part 25 came into force, including the introduction of a new model form search and imaging order. In this article, experienced Supervising Solicitors Leticia Jennings, Alex de Jongh and Rob Oakley run the rule over the new model order and consider how it will operate in practice. 1. How …
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Now imminent: UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) Regime to Be Fully Enforced from 25 February 2026

As we have written before, the Government will be fully enforcing the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) regime from 25 February 2026, meaning that those who require an ETA but do not have one will be denied boarding. Recap – who needs an ETA? By way of a recap, those visiting or transiting (landside) the UK …
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Bates Wells advises animal rights campaigners on challenge to Public Order Act regulations

On 12 February 2026, new regulations came into force which classify the life sciences sector – including animal testing sites – as “key national infrastructure” under the Public Order Act 2023, alongside transport and energy sites. Protestors who “interfere” with such facilities could face severe criminal sanctions, including up to a year in jail, though …
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Case update: Good Law Project Limited & Ors v EHRC

On 13 February 2026, the High Court rejected a judicial review challenge1 brought by Good Law Project and three individual claimants to the “interim update” that the Equality and Human Rights Commission (“EHRC”) published following the Supreme Court’s decision in For Women Scotland v Scottish Ministers [2025] 2 WLR 879. Background In For Women Scotland, …
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