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Legal Update: The Office for Students requires higher education providers to improve protection from harassment and sexual misconduct

On 31 July 2024, the Office for Students (the “OfS”) published a new ongoing condition of registration (the “New Condition”) for higher education providers (“HEPs”), aimed at protecting students from harassment and sexual misconduct. The New Condition will apply from 1 August 2025, except for a ban on non-disclosure agreements covering allegations of harassment and …
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Labour’s private school tax plan: what comes next?

On 29 July 2024, the government published its long-promised plans to apply 20% VAT on private school fees and to remove the business rates relief for charitable private schools. Here is what you need to know about the plans: 1. 20% VAT on private school fees – who does it apply to? All education services …
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Equality case law roundup: Bailey, Sutcliffe and Orwin

It has been a busy two weeks for equality and discrimination lawyers, with three recent judgments (one from the Employment Tribunal, one from the Employment Appeals Tribunal, and one from the High Court) adding to the body of decisions in this hotly contested area of law and policy. Here, we summarise the decisions and consider …
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Government announces plans to pause implementation of freedom of speech duties for students’ unions and HEPs

The government has announced today (26 July) that the new duties on Higher Education providers and students’ unions in the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 will not come into effect next Thursday (1 August) as envisaged. The new duties were subject to exhaustive Office for Students consultation over the spring and summer. In …
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Clarity is key: what you need to know about the FCA’s anti-greenwashing rule and guidance

The FCA’s anti-greenwashing rule, which has been introduced into the Environmental, Social and Governance Sourcebook section of the FCA Handbook, clarifies to FCA-authorised firms that sustainability-related claims about their products and services must be consistent with the actual sustainability characteristics of the product or service in question, as well as fair, clear and not misleading. …
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Realise your purpose: Increasing social mobility and diversity in the workplace

Realise Your Purpose is a Bates Wells campaign to help commercial organisations consider, decide on and implement their ESG goals. From governance to people, and from contracts to real estate, this series will provide insight and guidance for business leaders and senior decision makers on the first steps in their sustainability journey.   There is widespread …
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Real estate: Stay vs Go

Whether you’re thinking about disposing of your office, moving to a new location or reconfiguring your existing space we are here to advise on your options. We will: We’ve developed a fixed fee package, so whether you decide to stay or go, we can help you choose your path with confidence. Prices for the above …
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The King’s Speech: Labour Government’s Legislative Agenda for Employment Law

On 17 July 2024, in the King’s Speech, the newly elected Labour government set out its proposals for two new employment law Bills; the Employment Rights Bill and the Draft Equality (Race and Disability) Bill. Both are intended to deliver on the policies set out in its pre-election “Plan to Make Work Pay: Delivering a New …
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Search and imaging orders: changes on the horizon

A new model form search and imaging order is expected to be introduced in the coming months. Experienced Supervising Solicitors Rob Oakley and Alex de Jongh look at how imaging orders work in practice, and consider what the future may hold. Counterfeit goods, fake passports, precious metals, weapons and illegal drugs: some of the more …
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Landmark climate judgment: R (Finch on behalf of the Weald Action Group & Others) v. Surrey County Council (& Others)

A recent judgment by the Supreme Court has been hailed as groundbreaking by climate campaigners, fighting for recognition of the true environmental impacts of fossil fuel projects in the UK. The much-awaited decision held that the decision of Surrey County Council (the “Council”) to grant planning permission for an oil production project was unlawful. This …
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Watch again | Balancing responsibility & innovation – How can we develop and implement ethical AI? | 4 July

A recent explosion in innovation has meant AI has become more popular and powerful. AI and automated decision-making, especially in the context of work and people, carries substantial risks and has the potential for unfairness and discrimination. This is particularly true where decision-making processes lack transparency and fairness. We hosted a panel discussion on Thursday …
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Strategic litigation: driving change and positive impact – July 2024 roundup

Welcome to our strategic litigation roundup, a place for us to share information with you about key updates and insights in the area of strategic litigation. Our litigation and public & regulatory teams have been keeping on top of developments in this space and continue to explore ways to challenge norms through litigation and policy …
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