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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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What do awarding organisations need to know about the new failure to prevent fraud offence?

From 1 September 2025, many awarding organisations across the UK will face a new compliance obligation under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA): the corporate offence of failure to prevent fraud. This legislation is designed to hold certain organisations accountable when individuals acting on their behalf commit fraud intended to benefit the …
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When is an adjustment reasonable? Lessons from Hindmarch

In the recent case of Hindmarch v North East Ambulance NHS Foundation Trust [2025] EAT 87, the Employment Appeal Tribunal (“EAT”) looked at the question of whether an adjustment requested by a disabled employee will be reasonable if it does not alleviate or avoid the substantial disadvantage faced by them in the workplace. Mr Hindmarch, …
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Changing your governing document – top tips for professional membership bodies

Professional bodies, learned societies, and Royal Colleges should regularly review their governing documents to make sure they are up to date. Sometimes organisations grow or change, and it’s important that your governing documents are accessible, user-friendly, and up to date for your organisation and members. Take a look at our quick checklist to see if …
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The EU’s proposed Omnibus reforms to the CS3D: A lost opportunity to leverage human rights and climate litigation for a more sustainable economy?

Earlier this year, the European Commission published the ‘Omnibus I’ directive proposal (the Omnibus): a ‘package’ of measures aimed at simplifying key sustainability-related EU legislation, including the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D). The CS3D creates a due diligence duty upon large companies to address certain adverse human rights and environmental impacts in their operations …
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Legal Update: New Office for Students requirement on harassment and sexual misconduct protections now in force for higher education providers

The Office for Students (OfS) has introduced a new ongoing condition of registration (the New Condition) for higher education providers (HEPs), aimed at protecting students from harassment and sexual misconduct. Published in July 2024, the New Condition came into full effect on 1 August 2025. These changes were introduced under the Higher Education (Freedom of …
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Bates Wells advises the founders of House of Hackney on buyout of private equity investment

Bates Wells has advised the founders of British B Corp interiors brand, House of Hackney, on the buyout of existing private equity investors to return the business to full founder ownership. The transaction was partly financed by a crowdfunding campaign through a bond offer managed by Triodos Bank UK. For over a decade, House of Hackney has …
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What should not-for-profits consider when carrying out legal activities?

The last decade has seen a steady increase in strategic litigation, with individuals and organisations seeking to use legal cases to drive change in relation to a host of social issues. As noted in our guide to using the law to create change, these kind of challenges can be a powerful tool in a not-for-profit’s …
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Transgender pool player loses gender reassignment discrimination claim in first application of For Women Scotland judgment

On 1 August 2025, the Canterbury County Court reached its decision in the case of Harriet Haynes v The English Blackball Pool Federation; finding that Ms Haynes (a transgender woman with a Gender Recognition Certificate (“GRC”), who plays pool at county level) had not been discriminated against on grounds of gender reassignment by the English …
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A reflection on The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill: What’s next for education law and policy?

As another busy academic year winds down for the summer holidays, we take a moment to reflect and look ahead to key legal developments expected in the education sector this autumn. When the new school year begins, we can expect a white paper setting out the government’s approach to SEND reform, the final report from …
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Charity legacies and indemnities: what you need to know

Charities receiving legacy income may be asked to provide an indemnity before the legacy is released to the charity. Below, we explore the possible implications for your charity, and how you can respond. What is an indemnity and why is it relevant to legacies? An indemnity is a legally binding promise by one party to …
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