Updates

7 lessons from the Cathay Pacific security breach

Earlier this year (4 March 2020), Cathay Pacific was fined £500,000 by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) for a data security breach. The breach affected a number of the airline’s systems from October 2014 until May 2018 – the fine was issued, therefore, under the Data Protection Act 1998 and reflected the maximum penalty that …
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A VAT wish list

Brexit signals an end to the UK’s ties with the European Union VAT regime. Our tax expert Bill Lewis asks the prime minister to rationalise some of the VAT anomalies that beset UK charities.
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Real Estate Update Spring 2020

This update was drafted before the COVID-19 pandemic and focuses on climate change and its impacts, in particular on how to manage the process of reducing your property’s emissions. Attention has now inevitably, and appropriately, been diverted to addressing the pandemic, however the articles in this update are still relevant to us all. We start …
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Behaviour matters – understanding the emotional drivers

Understanding the emotional drivers behind behaviours can help chief executives and trustees to lead effectively and make good decisions. Tesse Akpeki explains how best to put behaviour theory into practice within your organisation.
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COVID-19 – Financial implications for the education sector and potential support available

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in drastic changes to the education sector which have required phenomenal flexibility and dedication from those who work in it. Schools and colleges have been asked to close their doors (while still operating remotely where possible) except in respect of children who are vulnerable and the children of critical workers …
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BatesCast: contractual obligations, force majeure and frustration

With the ongoing pandemic causing unprecedented disruption for organisations across a range of sectors, force majeure clauses in contracts are suddenly front of mind for organisations grappling with their contractual obligations. In the first episode of BatesCast, Bates Wells’ newly-launched Updates, Mindy Jhittay, Senior Associate in our Dispute Resolution team, talks about the impact our current …
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Is furlough an option for organisations in receipt of public funds?

Despite the government guidance being updated on 9 April 2020, uncertainty as to whether or not organisations in receipt of public funding are entitled to reimbursement under the Coronavirus job retention scheme remains. Please see our latest update on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme here. Whilst it is clear that those solely in receipt of …
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How can companies preserve business and incentivise employees during these uncertain times?

Bates Wells outlines some issues for consideration for companies planning for the future of their business, as well as the different forms of incentives available for your people. A lot has been written about how to deal with human capital, especially around furloughing.  Below we look at some other considerations… EMI Options Can be used …
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School closures and Covid 19 – What are the data protection implications of engaging with children online?

Covid 19 has had a profound effect on how we interact with the people around us – in our personal lives as well as at work. Many face-to-face interactions have moved online and few groups have been more impacted by this change than schoolchildren. Schools and face-to-face learning have been replaced almost overnight by online …
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Changing your charity’s structure

We often advise clients seeking to change from an unincorporated structure into a corporate charity. Lucy Rhodes explains what’s involved.
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Government announces independent review of judicial review

On Friday (31 July 2020) the Government launched an independent review to examine whether there is a need to reform the judicial review process in the UK. The terms of reference of the review are available here. The review follows a pledge in the Conservative manifesto to ensure judicial review is “not abused to conduct …
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How can you reduce the carbon output of your building?

With buildings and the construction sector a significant contributor to carbon emissions, now is the time to look at reducing your building’s carbon footprint. Rebecca Rider provides a useful list of points to consider.
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