Updates

Loans involving companies limited by guarantee: key issues for consideration

This article first appeared in the December 2024 edition of the Journal of International Banking and Financial Law. This article summarises key issues relevant to lenders and borrowers in loan financings that involve companies limited by guarantee as a borrower, guarantor and/or security provider. Key Points Introduction A company limited by guarantee (CLG) is a …
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The unsung legal heroes fighting back for wildlife

Since coming into power in Westminster, the Labour Party has been single-minded in prioritising economic considerations. Its packed legislative agenda included measures like the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which aims to turbo-charge the delivery of infrastructure, at the expense of anticipated measures such as a proposed Climate and Nature Bill. Meanwhile, much-needed legislation to outlaw …
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2024 in review: UK immigration twists, turns, and digital shifts – and what’s ahead for 2025

2024: A year of change in UK immigration 2024 was a pivotal year for UK immigration, marked by significant policy changes impacting employers, individuals, and the broader immigration system. From evolving government directives to the transition toward a fully digital immigration framework, the UK’s immigration landscape has seen notable shifts. As we venture into the …
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Independent Football Regulator: getting ready

The Bill introducing the Independent Football Regulator is currently making its way through the legislative system. It will be operational later this year. Under the new regulatory framework, all professional football clubs will be required to obtain a licence to participate in English men’s football competitions. The Bill is subject to change, but there are …
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Our Response to the Law Commission’s Consultation on Co-operatives and Community Benefit Societies

December 2024 saw the submission of our firm’s response to the Law Commission’s consultation on the Co-operatives and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014. In preparing our response we worked alongside the Charity Law Association and a group of lawyers from other leading firms in this sector. The consultation covers a range of issues, from fundamental …
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Lord Briggs defends fixed recoverable costs regime for professional negligence cases

In a speech for the Professional Negligence Lawyers Association, Lord Briggs championed voluntary adjudication and gave qualified support to the use of fixed costs and one way costs-shifting to promote access to justice. On 11 November 2024, Bates Wells was pleased to host an event to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the PNLA’s formation. In …
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It’s beginning to sound a lot like Christmas…

The arrival of the festive season is usually a time for merriment but for employers it brings with it the challenges involved with sourcing additional staff. It’s important that you don’t let practices slip, otherwise, you may find yourselves in tricky situations. Here are our top tips for HR directors this festive season to help …
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Faith-based Organisations: 2024 and 2025 update

Welcome to our annual faith-based update. In this packed edition, we cover a range of issues that commonly present challenges for faith-based organisations and explore recent developments that will impact faith-based charities. In this edition, we explore: Read the update here or download a copy here. We hope you enjoy this update and find it …
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The Football Governance Bill – does Rugby Union need its own independent regulator?

English sport has traditionally followed a model of self-governance. However, times are changing. The Independent Football Regulator is being introduced imminently, and the England and Wales Cricket Board has opted to create its own arms-length regulator. In this series, Clara Hutter and Ben Thomas look at rugby union and ask whether a similar approach to …
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Strategic litigation and the water crisis

A few weeks ago, the March for Clean Water swept through London, with thousands demanding action on water pollution. The scale of the crisis is undeniable; only 14% of English rivers are ranked as having “good” or better ecological status, and over 10% of our freshwater and wetland species are threatened with extinction.[1] The Labour …
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Changing seasons heralding changes to private rented sector

This month we saw a test case brought in the High Court by a group of registered social landlords in Wales who sought clarification on whether contract-holders were required to pay rent whilst a landlord was in breach of their obligation to provide them with electrical condition reports.   The Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 …
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The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 – an update on the timetable of changes

Our first blog in this series gave an overview of the main reforms being brought in under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023.  Our second blog explained the initial raft of changes that came into force on 4 March 2024.  These included new procedures for companies, as well as new powers for Companies …
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