Resources

Expertise, events, news and updates –
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Law Firms and The B Corp Movement

B Corps are a group of businesses that are actively working to make business a force for good. They seek to address society’s greatest challenges and to build a more inclusive economy. To qualify for B Corp Status, companies must consider the effect of their decisions on all of their stakeholders: shareholders, staff, the wider …
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Charity investment: what do the latest legal developments mean for trustees?

The Butler-Sloss case clarifies current law surrounding ethical charity investment. More emphasis is now being placed on charity trustees to balance financial and non-financial considerations. The recent High Court Judgement recognises that potential conflicts with charitable objects could exist across the investment universe, however it is for trustees to use their own discretion to decide …
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Covid-19 Inquiry – Module 2 now open

On 31 August, the UK Covid-19 Inquiry announced the opening of its second investigation, which will look at the core political and administrative decision-making of the UK and devolved governments.  The second investigation is split into four parts: Modules 2, 2A, 2B, and 2C. Module 2 is concerned with the decision-making of the UK Government, …
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Response to the Charity Commission consultation on Annual Return changes

In June this year, the Charity Commission began consulting on a range of changes to its Annual Return, through which it hopes to gather more data about your charity. The consultation closed on 1 September 2022. A flexible approach The Commission says that it wants to make the Annual Return more flexible, so that it …
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Only one month to go until the transitional arrangements for right to work checks end on 30 September 2022

The change to the right to work checks is in line with the Home Office’s prioritisation of digitising the UK immigration system. Here are our three top tips for employers to consider now: From 1 October 2022 employers can no longer rely on the transitional right to work check arrangements brought in during to the …
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Setting up a corporate foundation

Setting up a charity connected to your business is a great way to amplify your company’s positive impact. We have done this ourselves (the Bates Wells Foundation works to support sustainable social change), and over the years we’ve helped numerous businesses – from SMEs to global corporations – to set up and manage their foundations. …
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Developing an investment policy that is in your company’s, and the climate’s, best interests – our practical steps

We recently acted for the successful claimants in the High Court case of Butler-Sloss v Charity Commission. The ground-breaking judgment approved the claimants’ decision to align their charities’ investments with the goals of the Paris Agreement to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, even where this involves financial risk by excluding a large part …
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Resilient real estate: what are the opportunities for your portfolio?

The impact of climate change has very real risks on real estate assets including: subsidence, flood risk, heat stress and in some cases, coastal erosion. There are also less tangible effects that can be mitigated against. Which opportunities can arise from making your portfolio more resilient to climate change?
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Purpose and law firms – a contradiction in terms or the future of the profession?

For Bates Wells, being a B Corp means that we always strive to do the right thing and help our clients to make a positive impact on society. We encourage our people to develop, innovate and participate in activities that promote an equal, diverse and inclusive environment. Angela Monaghan, our Purpose and Impact Manager, explains …
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Harpur Trust v Brazel: what you need to know and what you need to do

The Supreme Court has delivered its judgment in the long-running case of Harpur Trust v Brazel. Paul Seath, Damian Ward and Olivia Woodward consider the impact for employers. Background Mrs Brazel is a visiting music teacher at a school run by the Harpur Trust. She is employed on a permanent contract which is ongoing throughout …
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Government closes capital flexibilities “loophole”

The government has issued a new direction regarding the flexible use of capital receipts for transformation costs. The direction, and updated guidance, clarifies that assets sold to entities which are part of a local authority’s group do not qualify as disposals resulting in capital receipts which are eligible to fund the revenue costs of projects that …
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B Corps: What should you be asking your banks?

We surveyed our B Corp network to understand their borrowing habits, and how important their bank’s ESG credentials are to them. While many B Corps don’t borrow from an impact-focused lender, they see their lenders as an important part of their supply chain. Here’s what we learned. Following the research, we asked Dave Waters, Executive …
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