Updates

Bates Wells successfully represents clients in claim for delivery up of twenty seven Second World War motorcycles

Malcolm Robson and Lucinda Ellen have acted for the successful claimants, obtaining a summary judgment for the delivery up of the 27 vintage motorcycles, possession of which was being retained by a third party in the (as was established, wrongful) belief that it was entitled to exercise a common law right known as a particular …
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FAQs on the Government’s coronavirus Future Fund which launched today (20 May 2020)

What is it? The Government has made an initial £250 million available for investment to support continued growth and innovation in sectors including technology, life sciences and the creative industries. Although this sounds helpful, the nature and structure of the scheme will be of limited use to smaller early stage start-ups. Are you eligible? On …
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‘Global Britain’ restricts rules on representatives of overseas businesses

In the midst of a global pandemic, and whilst the immigration law community waits with baited breath for further guidance related to COVID-19, on Thursday 14th May a new statement of changes to the Immigration Rules was laid before Parliament. The statement contains significant changes to the sole representative of an overseas business (‘sole rep’) …
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BatesCast – what next for charity fundraising?

Charity fundraisers around the country are urgently dealing with unprecedented challenges. In the face of extreme financial pressure on charities, what is happening to fundraising, and how can practices be adapted? In this Updates, we speak to Lawrie Simanowitz, a partner in Bates Wells’ Charity and Social Enterprise team, along with special guest Dan Fluskey. …
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Covid-19: The return to the workplace – What are the data privacy implications for employers?

Now that the UK Government has begun the process of lifting certain lockdown restrictions (at least in England), employers are planning the return of employees to the workplace. Whether that be offices, factory floors, retail or catering premises, all employers will need to carefully consider the requirement to provide a safe working environment. We have …
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Liverpool FC score an own goal – the world of trade marks

European football champions Liverpool FC came a cropper in a recent trade marks case – in quite an instructive way. Mathew Healey explores the world of trade marking names.
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New government guidance on coronavirus and contracts – how to act responsibly and fairly

The Cabinet Office issued new practical guidance on 7th May 2020 on responsible contractual behaviour in the performance and enforcement of contracts impacted by the COVID-19 emergency. The guidance is intended to apply to all current contracts which are materially impacted by COVID-19. Parties are encouraged to be reasonable, proportionate and co-operative to ensure just …
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Department of Education consults on rationalising post-16 qualifications that compete with T Levels by 2023

According to its recently published consultation paper, the Department of Education (“DfE”) considers that with “more than 12,000 different qualifications funded in England at level 3 and below”. The quality of education and skills provided across the piece do not provide the world class technical education that the DfE is aiming for. The proposal is …
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Merger and real estate

Planning and organisation are important for a successful merger. One aspect of this is to identify, at the outset, any real estate implications that are likely to be involved.
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Gift Aid and refunds of advance entry fees

The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted charities to consider refunding donations that allow entry to visitor attractions. Gift Aid rules mean that this needs to be handled carefully. Bill Lewis and Susan Shi explain the finer points of entry refunds.
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IR35 – What does your organisation need to know?

What is IR35? IR35 is a set of rules targeting the tax treatment of individual contractors who provide their services through an intermediary (most commonly a personal service company – “PSC”). PSCs are often owned and controlled by an individual contractor and an organisation (“the End Client”) will then contract with that PSC to obtain …
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EU Settlement Scheme: new appeal rights

Appeal rights have now been introduced for those who submit applications under the EU Settlement Scheme. This is good news for those who are submitting their applications after the UK left the EU at 11pm on 31 January 2020.  We previously commented on the EU Settlement Scheme statistics, which show that by the end of December …
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