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Inside our Charity Law Practice | 5 February 2026

We’re proud to be recognised as leaders in charity law – but what does that really mean in practice? In this session, our lawyers will take you behind the scenes of the legal work that supports charities and not-for-profit organisations. From governance and regulatory compliance to fundraising and structural change, you’ll gain a clearer understanding …
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Employment Rights Bill update: amended Bill returns to House of Lords for approval

On 7 July 2025, the Government published a number of amendments to the Employment Rights Bill (“ERB”), ahead of the House of Lords Report Stage (during which the Bill would once again be reviewed by the Lords). These amendments included: Over the course of July 2025, the ERB was debated by the House of Lords …
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EHRC submits updated Services Code of Practice to Government for approval

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (“EHRC”) has submitted the final updated draft of its Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations (“Services Code of Practice”) to the Minister for Women and Equalities. The draft will now be considered by the Government and, subject to ministerial approval, laid before Parliament for 40 days …
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Bates Wells advises Mirova on $10 million electric mobility financing

Bates Wells has advised Mirova on an up to $10 million senior secured facility to ARC Ride, a leading electric mobility company in Kenya. The facility is designed to fund the deployment of electric two-wheeled vehicles and battery-swapping infrastructure in Kenya. The transaction contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals by reducing emissions and contributing …
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Thinking about closing your charity?

Charities close for a range of reasons. In some cases, they have successfully fulfilled their mission or believe another organisation is better positioned to carry it forward. In others, financial pressures, governance or operational difficulties, or shifts in the external environment may render their activities unsustainable or ineffective.   Charities exist to advance their charitable …
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You’re fired! Can you fire an employee over the phone without notice?

Employment Tribunal judgments involving football clubs often attract attention, and the recent case of Mr K A Hagan v The Millwall Football and Athletic Company (2305074/2023) offers some important reminders for employers about contract management, whistleblowing claims, and how not to handle dismissals. The key issue in this case was how Mr Hagan’s contract was …
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Neonatal Care Leave and Pay: new technical guide for employers

The Department for Business & Trade has published an employers’ technical guide to neonatal care leave and pay. Published on 22 August, this guide aims to support employers in implementing the new statutory entitlement for employees, which applies to eligible parents of babies born on or after 6 April 2025. The entitlement only applies to …
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Bates Wells Impact Report 2025

We are united as a firm in our values and in our purpose. We want to use the law as a force for good, helping charities and purposeful businesses to be better and bolder in their choices. We also want to be the best type of business that we can be, and to bring others …
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The concussion gap: why sporting organisations need to pay more attention to brain injuries in women’s sport

While much of the focus has been on male athletes, increasing evidence from scientific studies1 suggests that biologically female athletes may be at a higher risk of sustaining concussions and other sport related traumatic brain injuries and suffering more severe long-term consequences than their biologically male counterparts. Litigation related to sports-related brain injuries is growing, …
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EHRC announces regulatory action in respect of policies which allow access to single sex spaces and services based on gender self identification

On 27 August 2025, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (“EHRC”) announced that it has completed its review of evidence obtained from the Government’s 2024 call for input on organisations’ approaches to single sex spaces and services, and that it will be taking regulatory action where organisations’ policies on this issue misrepresent equality law. Specifically, …
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Having a protected conversation: top tips for employers

What is a “protected conversation”? Section 111A of the Employment Rights Act 1996 (“ERA”) enables employers to have confidential, or “protected”, conversations with employees; in circumstances where they wish to explore the option of bringing the employment relationship to an end on agreed terms; without the conversation being referenced in subsequent unfair dismissal claims. When …
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Employer alert: hot compliance trends and tips

The Government’s crackdown on illegal working gained momentum over the summer of 2025, with employers and advisers experiencing an increase in compliance requests and enforcement action from the Home Office. We look at three key areas where we have seen an increase in enforcement activity and how employers can prepare themselves and mitigate risk. These …
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