Updates

How is the new post-Brexit UK subsidy control regime taking shape?

Although the UK and EU have agreed a national ‘subsidy control’ regime to replace EU state aid law here, the new regime is still taking form… Following the end of the transition period, the UK has a new subsidy control regime. Subsidies are, broadly, defined along similar lines to the EU’s definition of ‘state aid’, …
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Real estate update: Rent reductions – mitigate the impact of Covid-19

With the significant economic impact of Covid-19 and the associated closure measures, many organisations are having to modify their strategies to adapt and survive. Tenants of commercial property should consider whether to seek a renegotiation of their rent payment obligations. This article gives a user-friendly summary of the various options to consider when renegotiating. Click …
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Diversity in action: A guide for charities – taking positive action

Want to take positive action on improving diversity but don’t know where to start? The Equality Act sets out a framework that permits organisations to take ‘positive action’. We’ve produced a user-friendly article that explains what qualifies as a positive action under the EA to help you put your plan into action. To read this …
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Governance building blocks for charities

We know that excellent governance underpins excellent charitable outcomes, and we’re here to help you achieve that. Download our guide to governance building blocks to learn about the key things you need to know about governance in your charity.
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Real estate update: Lease health check – planning for your future

Now is the time to review your occupation of your premises and assess the options available. There are still uncertain times yet to come. This article describes what you can you do now to secure the future of your workplace for the longer term. To read the article, click here. Click here to read the …
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Real estate update: News in brief

The latest update from our real estate team summarises recent developments and gives insight to key topics across the sector. This news in brief gives an overview of: Support for tenants during Covid-19Stamp Duty Land Tax on residential purchasesBusiness ratesEnvironment and Sustainability – Energy White Paper and Net Zero Review (interim report)Environmental Bill 2019-21 To …
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Crisis communication: top tips for charities

Peter Gilheany, director at Forster Communications, outlines a practical toolkit for communicating in a crisis. Unfortunately, crisis communications is a growth industry within the voluntary sector at the moment for multiple reasons – financial pressures, criticism from government, and chickens coming home to roost around issues like bullying, discrimination (on the grounds of race, disability, …
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Fraud and cyber security – Prepare to Prevent

The risk of fraud – especially cyber fraud – is not going away.   The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Cyber Security Breaches Survey, published in March 2021, records that one in four charities reported a cybersecurity breach in 2020-21, rising to one in two for higher-income charities. There are steps that you …
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Navigating the polarised politics of our times

Politics and public discourse have become increasingly fractured in recent years. More and more charities are bumping into the obstacle of the so-called ‘culture wars’. Navigating these issues can be a minefield for charity staff and trustees, who are pulled in what might be seen as competing directions. Charities’ work risks being seen as controversial, …
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The Charities Act 2022 explained: Charity names

In this blog we look at provisions in the Charities Act 2022 which will extend the Charity Commission’s powers in relation to charity names and, in particular, in relation to working names, possibly increasing the risk of challenges and name disputes. What do you need to know? Currently, the formal or legal name of all …
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Our tips for avoiding contractual disputes over office equipment

We are frequently approached by clients that have found themselves locked into expensive, fixed-term contracts for office devices which they can’t easily get out of. The considerable costs which arise from such contracts are a particular issue at the moment with many charities and companies facing financial difficulties as result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Although …
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The Children’s Code is now in place -here’s what you need to know.

The ICO’s new Age Appropriate Design Code (“the Children’s Code”) is now effective. Children are defined widely under the Code as anyone under the age of 18. This marks a significant change in the UK where, for some years, additional data protection obligations have been triggered only in relation to children under the age of …
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